A momentter, he opened his eyes again.


    "Woof! Woof woof!"


    The whole auditorium erupted withughter.


    "Hahaha!"


    Even those who had tried to stay neutral-some of whom had felt Ste had gone too far-couldn''t hold back anymore after witnessing this scene.


    It was simply too funny to resist.


    The entire hall buzzed withughter, as if they were watching aedy show rather than a violin recital.


    The audience was thoroughly entertained.


    Well, everyone except Mr. Walden and his group.


    Their expressions were downright miserable, as if wishing they could disappear


    into the floorboards. If slipping out unnoticed had been an option, they wouldn''t havested another minute in that room.


    Every sideways nce thrown at Mr. Walden felt like a needle pricking the skin, making it impossible to sit still.


    The looks-half pity, half ridicule were like invisible psnding squarely on his face.


    Was it anger, or regret? Even he couldn''t tell anymore.


    After all, if even Harry had lost to Ste, what was left to say?


    Once the farce ended, the crowd reluctantly drifted out of the hall, still buzzing with excitement as they chatted about the spectacle they''d just witnessed.


    Gossip and drama-those were universal pleasures.


    By now, not only had the story exploded across social media at home, but videos


    of Harry barking like a dog had gone international.


    Violinists who''d once left the scene after being humiliated by Harry found themselves delighting in poetic justice.


    Within mere hours, photos and videos of Harry were everywhere, remixed andmpooned across the inte. Some particrly creative souls had


    photoshopped Harry''s face onto a dog''s body, set to absurdly catchy music that had people doubled over withughter.


    Soon, those memes became must-have reaction images.


    But that, of course, is another story.


    ...


    After thepetition, Ste slung her violin case over her shoulder and headed off to find Abby and the others.


    Just as she stepped out the door, a tall, striking figure appeared in front of her.


    The man''s handsome features


    2da touch softer than usualet


    his eyes unusually gentle as he held out a single red rose to Ste.


    "That was a brilliant performance."


    Ste nced at the flower but didn''t ept it, her tone cool. "Did you need something?"


    Haynes didn''t seem bothered by her indifference. "Keen heard you were performing tonight and took time off just to


    fo see you. He''s waiting outside


    for you now."


    Keen O''Brien had watched Ste''s entire performance from start to finish.


    Haynes, tied up with work, had arrivedte and only caught the end. But even that brief glimpse had left him reeling.


    For a moment, it was as if someone had plucked at the strings of his heart.


    Not even Rachel had ever made him feel quite this way.


    It was unfamiliar, and yet-impossiblypelling.


    ?


    Ste replied, "I''ll see Keen in a bit. Would you mind bringing him in?df


    Mr. O''Brien doesn''t need anythi


    She can leave-I''ll look after


    him."


    With that, Ste walked off toward the door.


    Haynes, still holding the rose, followed after her.


    Just then, a delighted voice called out.


    "Haynie, did youe to see me?!"


    Rachel, spotting the rose in Haynes'' hand, beamed with joy.


    She snatched the flower from him. “Haynie, thank you! I love it.”


    Ste shot Rachel a nce, but didn''t break stride.


    Seeing Ste leave, Haynes hastily muttered, "The flower wasn''t for you," and hurried after her.


    As Ste stepped outside, Joshua approached, cradling a bouquet of baby''s breath.