Mr. Burton could see right through Marvin''s little scheme.


    Chuckling, he ruffled Marvin''s hair. "Rx. Ste and the Watson boy are just close family friends. There''s nothing romantic there, and your dad won''t have anypetition from him."


    He grinned, then leaned in conspiratorially. "If you need to be worried about anyone, it''s not Mr. Watson-it''s Ste''s ex-husband."


    The groupughed, the conversation light and easy.


    But unexpectedly, Joshua-usually so cheerful and talkative-sat in silence the whole time, not saying a single word.


    Neville sensed something was off, but tonight was Ste''s concert, and he didn''t have the energy to worry about anything else. There were already too many things on his mind.


    Besides, onstage, Ste was dazzling.


    She wore a deep burgundy mermaid gown that hugged her figure perfectly. Already beautiful, tonight her careful styling made her utterly breathtaking.


    With her Nocturne Ste violin in hand, she moved with grace and poise, every gesture radiating elegance. It was as if she was bathed in a halo of light- impossible to look away from, like a star shining in the night sky.


    In the audience, Haynes O''Brien stared at the woman on stage-so familiar, yet suddenly a little strange.


    For the first time, he understood what Keen O''Brien had always felt.


    She was born for the stage.


    To hide that brilliance and force her back to the life she used to live would be a terrible waste.


    Right then, Haynes made up his mind: from now on, he would do everything he could to support Ste''s career, to let her pursue what she truly loved.


    Ste performed several more of her ownpositions.


    When the audience realized these beautiful pieces were all her original work, the shock in the hall was palpable.


    “I knew it! I''d never heard these songs before—they''re so good, and they''re all by Ste?"


    "She''s not just a performer, she writes her own music too? Unbelievable!"


    "She''s definitely the new Raven!"


    "With these original pieces, the


    internationalpetition this yearet just interesting. She might


    actually win the whole thing!"


    "Might? She''s definitely taking home the championship!"


    While Ste slipped backstage to change, Lauretta Chapman-her special guest


    -walked onto the stage to perform.


    Simone''s eyes widened in disbelief.


    "Lauretta? What''s she doing at Ste''s concert? Lauretta''s a star in the business she''s almost impossible to book!"


    "She''s actually here... to support Ste? Just what''s their rtionship?"


    Aurora, who already knew about the arrangement, didn''t show any reaction.


    "If Ste really is Raven, and they


    to Neo-Vespera


    both


    Fr. it makes sense theel


    "Aurora said lightly


    Simone, however, wasn''t convinced. "But


    Laure you tried to reach out t


    you


    à before, she barely gav the time of day."


    Simone was looking at Ste with undisguised annoyance now.


    She muttered, "Ste must have bad-mouthed you to Lauretta. That''s why she never wanted to get close to you."


    Aurora didn''t respond. Deep down, she thought Simone might be right.


    After all, they were both from prominent families in the same circle. There was no other reason for Lauretta to keep her distance.


    Lauretta''s appearance sent the concert to a new high.


    She was the total package: beauty, talent, and pedigree-the perfect golden girl.


    Being friends with someone like her was beyond most people''s wildest dreams. Even Aurora hadn''t managed it.


    ...


    At the very back of the hall, in a shadowy corner.


    While everyone else gazed up in admiration at the performers on stage, one person''s eyes burned with resentment.


    "Ste Cameron!" Rachel Pearce''s hatred simmered in her gaze.