StartNovelChapter 471
The moment Haynes spoke, all three women in the room instinctively turned to look at him.
Star.
Haynes almost never used such an intimate nicknfor Stella.
Actually, to be precise, he never did.
He always called her by her full name. The closest he'd ever cto familiarity was a clipped "Mrs. O'Brien."
Now, hearing him say "Star," not only the others—even Stella herself-felt a chill run up her spine, goosebumps
prickling her arms.
Rachel's smile was already strained, and now it barely held together.
Lauretta, for her part, looked genuinely surprised. Hadn't Star and Haynes gotten divorced? Why was he
suddenly calling her so affectionately?
Trying to smooth things over, Lauretta replied, "Star and | were classmates in college."
"College?" Haynes's eyes widened, clearly taken aback. "You... you were classmates in college?"
Lauretta already knew from Abby that Haynes and his circle had always looked down on Stella, constantly
Follow on NovᴇlEnglish.nᴇtmaking snide remarks about her supposedly only having a middle school education.
She arched a brow, challenging him. "Is there a problem with that?"
For sreason, Rachel seemed uncharacteristically rattled today. She jumped in, "I heard Ms. Cameron only
finished middle school. How could you two have been college classmates? Ms. Chapman, are you sure you're not
mistaken?"
Lauretta gave Rachel a bemused look. "I think | would remember whether or not Star and | were classmates.
Don't you, Ms. Pearce? Are you suggesting | don't know my own past?"
Rachel faltered, caught off guard and speechless.
Haynes pressed on, "Ms. Chapman, which college did you attend together?"
Lauretta's voice was calm and composed. "You invitedhere as a special guest. | would've thought you'd at
least know a little about me... But it seems you're just interested in my nand reputation."
At that, Rachel's face darkened.
Lauretta continued, “Star and | both went to Neo-Vespera University."
She shot Rachel a sidelong glance. "We were both inducted into the Hall of Fthere. That's actually where we
met."
"The Hall of Fame?" Rachel's
expression changed entirely, heret
voice climbing in pitch, incredulous. "That's impossible! How cou
she
possibly be in the Hall of Fame?!"
Lauretta still looked as pleasant as ever. "And why couldn't she be?"
Rachel's tone grew shrill. "I went to Neo-Vespera University myself. | never heard of Stella, never even saw her!"
Lauretta smiled gently. "Tell me, Ms. Pearce-how many Hall of Fmembers
have you actually met in person?"
Rachel's agitated expression froze.
At Neo-Vespera, only about half the Hall of Fmembers ever
revealed their photos or showed
their faces. The rest preferred tonet
keep their identities private, whether because of their personal lives, a dislike of attention, shyness, or simply a
desire for privacy.
No one thought that was unusual.
Artists, after all, tend to have their own quirks and eccentricities.
Neo-Vespera was packed with prodigies. Rachel herself was no stranger to
people with unconventional personalities.
SHall of Fmembers were so private, they didn't even give a real name— just a casual codename.
So being camera-shy or secretive wasn't unusual at all.
Still, Rachel wasn't ready to let it go. "Ms. Chapman, words are cheap."
Every Hall of Fmember had a badge with their nand photo engraved on
it. If Stella really had one, wouldn't she have shown it off long ago? Why wait until now?
Lauretta just smiled quietly. "Do you really think I'd lie about something like this, Ms. Pearce?"
Back when she was at Neo-Vespera, Stella used the nRaven, and never showed her face. Even if she
produced her badge, Rachel and Haynes probably wouldn't believe it was hers.
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