Ste was momentarily stunned.


    "Rachel''s hand was ruined?"


    Abby turned, a gleeful glint in her eyes. "Yep. No idea who she managed to piss off, but someone really did a number on her just destroyed her hand, just like that. They knew exactly what mattered most to her, and that''s what they took away. She''ll never y the violin again.


    It''s all over the headlines. And honestly? No one feels sorry for her. People are saying she had iting-that it''s karma for faking her illness and all the nasty things she''s done."


    As a violinist herself, Ste knew all too well what it meant to lose both a passion and a career in a single blow. Rachel might not have been as talented as she was, but to be chosen as Mr. Walden''s protégé? She was certainly no slouch.


    Now, with her hand gone... There wasn''t a more cruel revenge imaginable.


    Joshua asked quietly, "Is there any hope of recovery?"


    Abby shook her head. "She lost her fingers. There''s no way. The damage is permanent."


    Ste nodded. "I suppose it''s only fitting-she''s finally paying for everything she''s done."


    Abby chuckled. "Exactly. She did so many awful things to Star, but hey, we can''t just take justice into our own hands."


    They chatted for a while, until a thought struck Abby.


    "Oh, by the way, Joshua-what were you up to a while back? You were all mysterious, always busy with something."


    She grinned slyly. "Don''t tell me... you''ve got a girlfriend?"


    Joshua shook his head. "No, nothing like that. I just stumbled into something interesting."


    Abby''s eyes sparkled with curiosity. "What kind of interesting?"


    Joshua hesitated, searching for the right words. "Let''s just say... I did a good


    deed. Stood up for the right thing, helped someone out."


    Ste and Abby exchanged nces.


    As the concert drew near, Ste found herself busier than ever.


    This was her first official


    concert the real start of her professional career. After Rachel''s concert was canceled, tickets for Ste''s show became nearly impossible to get.


    On the day of the concert, Aurora and Simone arrived at the venue as well.


    They hadn''t bothered with pre-sale tickets. But for people of their standing, getting a few seats was hardly a challenge.


    Simone and Aurora settled into the front row From a distance, Simone spotted Joshua sitting among the VIP guests. His striking looks and elegant presence made him Stand out, even in the bustling crowd.


    Several society heiresses approached Joshua, each trying to strike up a conversation and ask for his number. Joshua, as always, turned them down with polite courtesy.


    ет


    Aurora chatted with Simone, but after a while, she realized Simone hadn''t responded. When she turned, she Caught Simone staring intently at Joshua, an odd spark in her eyes.


    She seemed different changed, somehow from the woman who had once only wanted to test Joshua.


    Aurora nudged her gently. "Simone, you never finished telling me about Rachel."


    Simone snapped out of her reverie. "Huh? Where were we?"


    Aurora prompted, "You were saying how Rachel was rescued."


    Simone nodded. "Right. I''d just ruined her hand and was about to go for her face, when suddenly a group of people burst in—"


    She broke off, distracted. A young woman had just approached Joshua. Whether


    by ident or design, the woman nearly tripped. Joshua instinctively caught her arm.


    The woman blushed, her expression flustered and shy.