RedNovelChapter 448
"Are you seriously suggesting Rachel should get famous by stirring up controversy?"
Jasper protested, unwilling to back down. "If she doesn't need any more publicity, then it doesn't really matter
which composer we use, does it? There's no reason it has to be Stella."
Haynes ignored Jasper and turned to Rachel instead. "Rachel, if she could
beca sensation under the n'Star,' there's every chance she'll do it again under her real name. You know
better than | do just how good her music is. But of course, if you insist on using another composer, | won't force
you."
Rachel flipped through the sheet music, her critical eye tinted by bias. As much as she hated to admit it, Stella's
compositions were undeniably fresh and full of spirit -nothing like the formulaic work of those so-called famous
composers. No wonder so many people had recognized Star's talent.
From her professional perspective, she could see that every one of these pieces had the potential to be a hit.
Follow on NovᴇlEnglish.nᴇtHer mind made up quickly. "Haynes is right. Ms. Cameron's original work is truly exceptional. Let's go with her."
She shot Jasper a look, warning him not to argue further.
Seeing Rachel had accepted it, Jasper kept quiet.
With both parties in agreement, they soon moved on to hashing out the details.
Stella spoke up, her tone calm and businesslike. "I've recorded everything discussed today. If my original
compositions are leaked, I'll pursue legal action." Jasper sneered, "How do we know you're not just a fraud?
Maybe you stole these from someone else."
He still couldn't accept that Stella was actually Star. Back when she'd gone up against those international
musicians, he'd supported Star. He'd even bragged about her. Who would have guessed that Star turned out to
be the person he disliked most?
Stella's voice was cool. "If | were plagiarizing, | would've been exposed the moment | becfamous-it never
would have lasted this long. But if you're really that worried, Mr. O'Brien, we can scrap the whole agreement
right now. For the record, every one of my original pieces has been saved on my computer since the day it was
written, complete with a documented timeline. I'm not afraid of suspicion or slander."
She fixed Jasper with a pointed look. "And if any of my unpublished songs get leaked after today, you'll be my
prsuspects."
Jasper, whose mind usually worked at lightning speed, suddenly froze The thought had crossed his mind to pull
something like that-but Stella had shut him down completely.
Haynes spoke. "Benson, draw up a contract."
Benson nodded and left the room.
Haynes's gaze shifted to Lacey, who was standing quietly to the side. She flinched under his eyes, a flicker of
anxiety crossing her face.
0
His tone was detached. "Lacey, as executive assistant, you shouldn't be making such rookie mistakes. Do you
realize how much of my tyou wasted?"
Lacey bowed her head. “I'm sorry, sir."
His look grew even colder. "Starting today, you'll be transferred to a branch office for a year."
Lacey's head snapped up, disbelief and panic in her eyes. "Mr. O'Brien, I—"
He cut her off. "Or, you can hand in your resignation. Your choice."
Her face drained of color, and she fell silent.
el:
Rachel wanted to plead for her, but when she met Stella's gaze-those eyes sparkling with a barely concealed
smile-Rachel flinched and held her tongue.
As Benson left to draft the contract, Lacey shuffled away, looking utterly defeated.
At that moment, Stella walked up to Haynes. "There's one more thing."
Haynes was about to ask what she meant when, out of the corner of his eye, a flash of steel caught the light.
Before he could react, a razor-sharp knife plunged straight into his abdomen.
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