NovelBookChapter 404
Haynes's eyes were dark and unreadable. “No need. Just find out where Star is. I'll handle the negotiations
myself."
Benson stiffened in surprise. "Yes, sir. I'll get right on it."
Inside the studio, Stella was playing her latest composition, fingers gliding effortlessly over the piano keys. She
planned to open her next show with this very piece.
The music flowed through the room like a fresh spring, clear and moving, tugging gently at the heart. Stella
stood by the window, her graceful silhouette framed by the glass-a living portrait of elegance and poise.
Soft sunlight spilled through gauzy curtains, bathing her in a gentle golden glow. For a moment, it seemed as if
the light itself had chosen her as its canvas.
As the last notes faded, a round of applause broke the silence from the doorway.
Clap. Clap. Clap.
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Stella turned, surprised to see Foreman standing there.
"Foreman, when did you get here?"
Abby chimed in, "Mr. Richards arrived not long after you started playing. He askednot to disturb you, so I let
you finish."
Just last night at dinner, Foreman had mentioned he'd like to visit her studio. Stella had been spending her days
here, practicing. The location wasn't a secret —she'd eventually need to host business meetings-so she'd
agreed. Still, she hadn't expected Foreman to show up quite this soon.
Foreman's voice was low and steady. "It was beautiful."
"Thank you." Stella turned to Abby. "We have sapplicants coming by later. Could you greet them for me? I'll
give Foreman a quick tour first."
Abby nodded. "Of course. Take your time."
Stella led Foreman around the studio. The space had originally been leased by Antoney before their divorce,
back when she first decided to strike out on her own and build a team.
Antoney had rented a huge workspace-about eight thousand square feet, spread across three floors. The studio
had everything: a performance hall, rehearsal rooms, offices.
After Stella joined, she borrowed a whole floor from Antoney, but paying for the rent and renovations was
another matter. Her savings couldn't cclose to covering such a massive studio, so she owed the difference
for now, hoping to pay it back little by little.
She showed Foreman around her floor first, then took him through the other two. When the tour wrapped up,
they headed back toward Abby.
Foreman lingered slightly behind Stella, watching her with a quiet intensity. His normally gentle eyes sparkled
with something fierce, like embers caught in a breeze. Stella didn't notice-she'd already stepped back into the
main room.
Abby handed her a stack of printed résumés. "Star, these candidates look promising. Take a look—Iletknow
who you'd like to interview, and I'll bring them in."
After all, a concert couldn't happen with just her and Antoney. Antoney had his Own music team, but Stella was
starting from scratch. Aside from Abby, her manager, she still needed musicians for live
accompanists for certain pieces.
performances-especially now
She planned to find a pianist and a few violinists for ensemble work.
Just then, Abby's phone rang. She glanced at the caller ID, frowning, and declined the call. A few seconds later, it
rang again. This time, she simply switched the phone off.
Stella looked over. "Something wrong?"
"It's Benson again," Abby replied, rolling her eyes. "I've turned him down so many times, but they never give up.
He calls every day—I end up shutting off my phone just to get speace."
Stella was calm. "Makes sense. If it's about Rachel, Haynes always takes things seriously."
Abby huffed, "I'm changing my number tomorrow. That should keep them off my back."
Their conversation was interrupted by a soft knock at the studoor.
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