Because of this, Harry''s reputation in the music world was sharply divided.


    Plenty of people found his arrogance insufferable and couldn''t stand the way he looked down on everyone else.


    But just as many believed he had every right to be cocky-after all, beneath Mr. Walden, Harry was the undisputed number one. He''d earned the right to be proud, even a little reckless.


    Harry was the kind of person whose sheer talent made his arrogance almost unbearable, yet impossible to dismiss. People who''d been on the receiving end of his scathing remarks waited eagerly for the day he''d finally fall from grace.


    But year after year, Harry remained at the very top, unshaken and unchallenged.


    Eventually, everyone just got used to his attitude. After all, with talent like his, who could me him?


    Ste noticed the troubled look on Antoney''s face and quietly asked, "What''s wrong?"


    Antoney nced at her, his expression serious.


    "That man''s name is Harry. Out of all Mr. Walden''s students, he''s the most gifted. Mr. Walden took him under his wing when he was just five..." Antoney went on, carefully filling Ste in on the details.


    "Star, you might not know this, but Harry is incredibly strong. He''s never lost a singlepetition he''s entered not once, all these years."


    He looked at Ste, worry flickering in his eyes.


    "Star, he''s ruthless with his words. He''ll do everything he can to undermine your confidence, to make you doubt yourself, to crush you until you want nothing to do with music ever again. There have been countless talented violinists who, after facing him, never picked up their instrument again."


    "They call him the Violin Warrior."


    "So even if we lose, don''t let anything Harry says get to you."


    Antoney himself didn''t care much about Harry''s jibes, but he was worried about Star-he didn''t want her to be one of those casualties.


    Ste watched Harry thoughtfully. "Why does he go out of his way to tear down other prodigies? Why is he so bitter?"


    Antoney shook his head. "No one knows for sure. There''s a rumor he lost to someone early in his career, and after that, he was never the same."


    Ste smiled, reassuring. "Don''t


    worry


    about me. I''ve dealt with


    online trolls before-whatever he says can''t be worse than that


    Besides, I''m young. I can afford to lose."


    She hadn''tpeted much since learning the violin, but, as it happened, she''d never lost either.


    Seeing Antoney''s tense expression, Ste gave him aforting smile.


    "Teampetitions are about chemistry and teamwork, not just individual skill. We''ve been ying together since we were kidseif anyone can beat them, it''s us."


    Her words seemed to ease Antoney''s worries a little.


    She was right. He and Star had been ying together for years; their coordination was second to none. He needed to trust her-and not let his nerves get the best of him.


    When the crowd around Harry finally dispersed, Harry shot a nce at Ste across the room.


    "So that''s Ste? She might be more talented than you, but she''s not quite ready to take me on."


    Rachel, barely able to contain her


    excitement, felt her heart race. Harry''s words were every young musician''s nightmare. If Ste lost, Harry would tear her apart; he''d make her feel worthless. Maybe she''d be so crushed, she''d never want topete again.


    With that thought, Rachel hurried to tter Harry.


    "Harry, everyone knows you''re Mr. Walden''s top student. How could Ste possibly beat you? It''s just that..."


    Rachel trailed off, her expression suggesting she had more to say but was hesitating.