EuropeNovelChapter 445
If it hadn't been for Jasper's meddling, she never would've had a fair shot at negotiating with
Haynes. Haynes would've backed her into a corner long ago.
Funny how things work out-she almost owed Jasper a thank you.
Stella leaned back on the sofa, eyes closed, looking for all the world as if none of this had anything
to do with her.
Haynes glanced at Lacey.
Lacey stepped forward, bent at the waist, and offered Stella a deep, formal apology.
"Ms. Cameron, I'm sorry."
Stella didn't react, still silent. Jasper seemed unbothered, but Lacey remained frozen in her
awkward bow, trembling, her face flushed with humiliation.
Stella smirked inwardly. All this shover a simple apology? Anyone watching would think she'd
been forced to grovel for something far more degrading.
Haynes clearly didn't expect a response from Stella. He cut in, voice cool and detached. "That's
Follow on NovᴇlEnglish.nᴇtenough. Let's put this behind us."
Lacey bit her lip, mortified.
Jasper rolled his eyes and flopped back onto the sofa.
Haynes turned to Stella. "Since everyone's here, let's talk business."
“Business?” Rachel had been so distracted by the scene, she was caught off guard. "What kind of business?"
Haynes's voice was low and measured. "You've been searching for Star, haven't you? Well, you've found her."
Rachel answered automatically, "I know you tracked down Star, but what does that have to do with Ms.
Cameron-"
She stopped short. Her eyes flew open, disbelief written across her face as she turned to Stella.
"Wait... you mean she's Star?"
Jasper stared at Stella, stunned.
Stella finally opened her eyes. Her expression was calm, almost indifferent "I can compose a piece for Ms.
Pearce, but it won't be under the nStar. As for the studio, you can have it for a flat price-ten million. Non-
negotiable. Mr. O'Brien, you should know, that's always been my price."
Jasper recovered quickly, disbelief morphing into protest. "Without Star's name, there are plenty of famous and
talented composers out there. Why would we hire you?"
Stella's eyes were icy. "That's a question for Mr. O'Brien, not me."
Jasper wanted to argue, but Haynes's earlier warning kept him silent.
He muttered under his breath, "Haynes, we wanted Star to compose for Rachel because of her reputation.
Without that, it doesn't matter who we hire."
He shot Stella a sideways glance, barely hiding his contempt. "A nobody like Stella Cameron isn't going to do
anything for Rachel's career."
Jasper, now thinking clearly again, had hit the nail on the head in just a few words.
Haynes's gaze lingered on Stella, dark and unfathomable.
"Stella, you know exactly why | sought out Star.”
She met his eyes. "I do. You want
Star's nthe public recognition. But you're a businessman, Mr.
O'Brien. You should know that
reputation is worth more than
money. Sthings can be spun for
publicity, others can't. Even if you
offereda hundred million, 1
wouldn't agree."
Jasper bristled. "If you're not interested, why bother showing up at all?"
Stella's voice was cool and clear. "Perhaps you should ask Mr. O'Brien what he's
done to the people aroundfor Ms. Pearce's sake."
Jasper and Rachel exchanged uneasy looks, suddenly recalling the recent trouble with Antoney.
Jasper remembered laughing at the
news, saying karma had finally
caught up with Stella. Now he-
realized-it had been Haynes pulling
the strings all along, targeting Antoney.
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