BuzzNovelChapter 428
After Abby's nhad surfaced, finding Stella hadn't been all that difficult.
Benson glanced at Stella, whose expression was anything but friendly, and cleared his throat.
"Ms. Cameron, we're... here to speak with Star."
Stella's eyes flickered.
If Haynes had managed to track her down, it meant he knew everything.
Haynes shot Abby a quick look. "Ms. Murphy, would you mind giving us a moment?"
Abby glanced at Stella, silently asking for her approval. Stella gave her a brief nod.
Abby nodded and left the room with Benson.
Once they were gone, Haynes walked over to Stella.
His deep, inscrutable gaze settled on her, as if he was sizing her up for the very first time.
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"So, you're Star."
He realized, in that moment, how little he truly knew about Stella.
They'd been married for five years, and in all that time, she'd never held a job.
Whether she worked or not had never mattered to him. He'd simply never asked about her past or her career.
It stunned him to learn that, beyond playing the violin and speaking fluent French and German, she was also the
elusive, universally admired composer known only as Star.
Stella knew perfectly well why Haynes was here, so she didn't bother with pretense. "I won't be Rachel's
personal composer. You'd better find someone else."
Haynes held her gaze. "Why not?"
Stella had braced herself for this-she didn't look surprised.
"Do you really need to ask?"
With Haynes's resources, uncovering her identity was only a matter of time.
His voice was low and measured. "If you have concerns about compensation, you can nyour price. I'm open
to negotiation."
Stella gave a short, humorless laugh. "I thought that once you knew who | really was, Mr. O'Brien, you'd never
clooking foragain.
After all, a smart man wouldn't want his ex-wife crossing paths with his current fiancée."
There was a trace of mockery in her tone.
"Yet here you are, coming toyourself, just to pave the way for Ms. Pearce."
Every tshe convinced herself
that Haynes didn't care for Rachel as much as The claimed, he'd do something like this-reminding her that,
maybe, the doubts were all in her head.
"Haynes," Stella said, her voice firm
"you
perfectly well why
no. First, | have no dene
sa in the public eye
Second, | don't intend to let my reputation be used to boost Ms. Pearce's career."
"There are plenty of ways for you to promote Ms. Pearce, Mr. O'Brien. You don't need to step onto do it, do
you?"
Haynes's expression darkened. "If you're worried about being targeted, I'll hire a top-notch PR team to handle it.
If you don't want to appear in public, | can make the arrangements. Whatever you need, just say the word."
"I don't need anything from you." Stella's tone was ice-cold. "The only thing | want, Mr. O'Brien, is for you to
leay@and never show up in my life again."
Afternoon sunlight slanted through the blinds, casting bands of light and shadow across Haynes's striking
features.
"Is it because ofthat you're refusing this job?"
Stella's patience was wearing thin. "Glad you figured it out. But honestly, even if it wasn't you, Mr. O'Brien, | still
wouldn't take it.
Your involvement just giveseven more reason to refuse."
Haynes met her gaze, unflinching. "Stella, you should know by now-when | set my mind to something, | always
get it."
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