The Ex-Wife's Burning Elegance

"I bet she's just scared that she'll get exposed for not being all that talented, especially in those international circles," someone sneered. "No matter how much power she throws around here, it's not like her influence stretches overseas. She's only impressive in her own backyard."

Rachel, who had been silent so far, finally spoke up. “I suppose I could tolerate most things, but her utter lack of respect for her mentor-I just can't accept that."

She went on to recount, in detail, how Stella had completely disregarded Mr. Walden during the last competition, showing not a shred of respect.

Everyone listened, frowning deeply. Whatever good impression they'd had of Stella was gone in an instant.

Rena scoffed. "It's a disgrace to our profession that someone like her is even active in the music world."

Johnny chimed in, "I've accepted Novaris's invitation this time. Didn't our youngest say she'll be at the competition too? If she really dares disrespect our teacher like that, I want to see just how arrogant she can be."

David, the brown-haired man, added, "She even has the nerve to exploit her late mother's memory for publicity. Someone needs to teach this clueless little brat a lesson."

Rachel's lips curled into a barely perceptible smile as she watched everyone bristling with righteous indignation.

But Mr. Walden, who disliked gossiping behind people's backs, cut in firmly. "Enough. Let's talk about something else."

The group reluctantly changed the subject.

Suddenly, David remembered something and turned to Mr. Walden. “Sir, you

didn't just come to Novaris for the musical exchange, right? Wasn't your main goal to find Star?"

"Have you managed to find Star?"

The mention of that name sent a jolt through Rachel, her heart pounding. Star? Isn't that... Stella? Why is Mr. Walden looking for Stella?

She clenched her sleeve tightly, barely breathing.

Mr. Walden shook his head. "No, I haven't."

Rena asked, “You're not familiar with the city. Didn't you ask anyone else to help you look?"

"I did," Mr. Walden replied. "I asked Haynes to investigate, but even he couldn't find her."

After taking Rachel on as his last apprentice, Mr. Walden had mentioned Star to Haynes, who agreed to help search. But even Haynes had come up empty- handed.

If even Haynes couldn't track her down, Mr. Walden had no choice but to give up. Rachel ventured carefully, "Sir, why are you looking for Star?"

Mr. Walden explained, "There are a few pieces circulating online under her name.

I admire them a great deal. I'd hoped to buy the adaptation rights while I was here."

He sighed. "Such a shame."

Afterward, the conversation naturally turned to Star's original compositions. Between the lines, everyone expressed genuine admiration and respect.

Even though Star had thoroughly humiliated them at the last

composition contest-crushing their arrogance and pride—none of them harbored any real dislike. If anything, it was a strange mix of

envy

admiration, and grudging

appreciation. Some every wished

Star would return to the scene, justnoveldrama

to put them in their place again.

Even Mr. Walden, who was notoriously hard to impress, had nothing but praise for Star.

As their discussion grew livelier, they ended up heading to Mr. Walden's music

studio to play some of the instruments.

Mr. Walden had purchased a home

in Novaris, complete with a fully

equipped music room. Reria, Johnny, David, and Colby picked up various instruments and played a rendition of "Moonlight" that deft Rachel feeling positively nauseous.

In that moment, Rachel was desperately grateful that Stella had not signed those three pieces she'd given her as "Star." If Mr. Walden ever discovered that Stella and Star were one and the same, all her scheming would have been for nothing.