For reasons he couldn''t quite exin, Mr. Walden''s face stung as if he''d just been pped.


    Moments after the woman left, Colby Martinez brought him some troubling news.


    “Sir, because of the uproar Ste caused, people have started digging up your history as a mentor. There''s a lot of chatter online now. People are saying you were blind to real talent, that you passed over a genius and settled for a mediocre student. They''re iming your reputation''s in decline..."


    Colby spoke carefully, all the while watching Mr. Walden for any flicker of emotion.


    "Your standing has taken a hit, sir. There are plenty of people just waiting to see you fail, eager to watch Ste trounce your prized student. If Rachel doesn''t take first ce in thispetition, your position in the field could be at risk."


    A deep furrow formed on Mr. Walden''s brow.


    It was truetely, musicians from across Europe and beyond had been visiting him, all hoping for a glimpse of Novaris'' newest violin prodigy. Everyone assumed Ste was histest protégé; they came seeking introductions, musical exchanges, mastersses, and invitations for Ste to perform at their concert halls. Overnight, Ste had be the toast of the ssical music world.


    When Mr. Walden exined that Ste was not, in fact, his student, the relief on their faces was almostical.


    "Walden, so you''ve already taken on your final student? That means you won''t be taking Ste under your wing, right? In that case, forgive me for jumping at the chance!"


    "Ah, Mr. Walden, you''ve done me a huge favor! If you''d epted Ste, the rest of us wouldn''t stand a chance."


    "What''s that? Your student is Rachel? Walden, how could you mistake ss for a diamond?"


    Just today, an old friend had


    stopped by supposedly to ask about Rachel. He''d honestly thought the


    visit was out of genuine interest in Rachel''s ying, but it turned out the man was after Ste as well-and not above mocking Walden''s judgment in the process.


    For a proud man like Mr. Walden, that kind of insult was intolerable.


    His expression darkened. "If Rachel


    wants to beat Ste, she''ll have


    win two points off her. In the individual round, there''s nothing I cando-that''s up to Rachel, But for


    the team event..."


    He paused, an idea forming. Turning to Colby, he said, “Call Paul. Tell him toe see me. For the team


    round, Ste only has Antoney as a possible partner. We have to make sure Rachel wins."


    Colby''s eyes widened in surprise.


    Paul was Mr. Walden''s fifth protégé,


    a contemporary of Nora''s, but with a unique ce among Walden''s students. Despiteing up in the sameera as Nora, Paul was much younger; Mr. Walden had taken him under his wing at the age of five. Even now, Paul was not yet thirty-five, a violinist whose fame rivaled even Walden''s own. He was also, by far, the most arrogant of all Walden''s students-he respected no one but his mentor.


    Pairing Paul with Rachel? Ste wouldn''t stand a chance.


    Soon, the day of thepetition arrived.


    This round was the team event.


    Ste and Antoney arrived early at the concert hall, settling in as they double-checked their sheet music. As they pored over the scores, amotion broke out near the entrance.