The people determined to smear Ste''s name still refused to give up.


    Someone challenged her reputation online: "If Ste is truly so talented, why didn''t Mr. Walden take her on as his protégé? Why did he choose Rachel as hisst student instead?"


    Abby shot back without hesitation. “Because someone at Ste''s level doesn''t need to be anyone''s apprentice."


    Every rumor-filled post about Ste that popped up online, Abby meticulously catalogued and sent out cease- and-desist letters, one after another.


    Those who received the legal notices scrambled to post public apologies, insisting they''d only been paid to do someone else''s dirty work.


    Some even admitted outright that the dirt they''d spread about Ste waspletely fabricated.


    They confessed: they just couldn''t stand to see Ste seed, so they resorted to spreading lies about her online.


    In the end, the pressure became too much for Felipa, who withdrew from thepetition.


    Felipa''s best friend, Rowena, was also exposed—she''d been orchestrating a wave of online nder that damaged Ste''s reputation. She soon found herself the target of awsuit.


    After that, the so-called "insiders” who imed to know all about Ste vanished quietly from the inte.


    Watching how effortlessly Ste turned the tables, Rachel nearly ground her teeth to dust.


    “That Felipa is utterly useless! I fed her so much dirt on Ste, and she still couldn''t take her down.


    Not only did Ste refuse to quit, her performance in thepetition wasn''t even affected.


    Now she''s reaping more praise than ever!"


    Even with the prestigious title of Mr. Walden''s final student, Rachel''s own reputation and influence couldn''tpare to Ste''s anymore.


    At Mr. Walden''s home, an old friend—a woman about his age-arrived for a visit. She didn''t bother with pleasantries.


    “Walden, we''ve known each other for years, so I''ll get straight to the point. I came to see your new protégé. I hear she''s a violin prodigy-supposedly unstoppable.


    With the international music


    A faint smile yed on Mr. Walden''s lips. "That''s no problem. I''ll call her over in a bit."


    The woman waved her hand. "No, no need. I can go to her. Ste''s busy enough-between preparing for a concert and thepetition, I''m sure her schedule is packed. No sense wasting her time.


    By the way, could you get me a few tickets to her concert? My students have been stalking the website for ages and still can''t snag a single seat.


    Surely, as her mentor, you could pull a few strings?"


    Mr. Walden''s smile froze.


    "Ste?"


    She raised an eyebrow. "Yes-Ste''s your student, isn''t she?" Watching his face carefully, she began to realize something. "Wait... Walden, don''t tell me Ste isn''t your protégé?"


    Mr. Walden pressed his lips together and stayed silent.


    She stared at him, incredulous. "No way. If it''s not Ste, then who is it?"


    He hesitated, then answered quietly, “Rachel."


    "Rachel..." The woman''s look shifted, her eyes flickering with surprise and disappointment. "I''ve seen her perform. My students are nothing special, but beating Rachel shouldn''t be a problem."


    Mr. Walden said nothing.


    She sighed, clearly let down. "If Ste''s not your protégé, then I suppose this visit was a waste. I''ll have to find another way to meet her."


    Pausing at the door, she turned and added, “Walden, you used to have such an eye for talent. If you''re passing up someone like Ste, maybe you''re not quite as sharp as you once were."