NovelApexThe people determined to smear Stella's nstill refused to give up.
Someone challenged her reputation online: "If Stella is truly so talented, why didn't Mr. Walden take her on as his
protégé? Why did he choose Rachel as his last student instead?"
Abby shot back without hesitation. “Because someone at Stella's level doesn't need to be anyone's apprentice."
Every rumor-filled post about Stella that popped up online, Abby meticulously catalogued and sent out cease-
and-desist letters, one after another.
Those who received the legal notices scrambled to post public apologies, insisting they'd only been paid to do
someone else's dirty work.
Seven admitted outright that the dirt they'd spread about Stella was completely fabricated.
They confessed: they just couldn't stand to see Stella succeed, so they resorted to spreading lies about her
online.
In the end, the pressure bectoo much for Felipa, who withdrew from the competition.
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Felipa's best friend, Rowena, was also exposed—she'd been orchestrating a wave of online slander that damaged
Stella's reputation. She soon found herself the target of a lawsuit.
After that, the so-called “insiders” who claimed to know all about Stella vanished quietly from the internet.
Watching how effortlessly Stella turned the tables, Rachel nearly ground her teeth to dust.
“That Felipa is utterly useless! | fed her so much dirt on Stella, and she still couldn't take her down.
Not only did Stella refuse to quit, her performance in the competition wasn't even affected.
Now she's reaping more praise than ever!"
Even with the prestigious title of Mr. Walden's final student, Rachel's own reputation and influence couldn't
compare to Stella's anymore.
At Mr. Walden's home, an old friend—a woman about his age-arrived for a visit. She didn't bother with
pleasantries.
“Walden, we've known each other for years, so I'll get straight to the point. | cto see your new protégé. |
hear she's a violin prodigy-supposedly unstoppable.
With the international music
competition coming up, | wanted to size up the competition and see if any of my hopeless students might standa
chance. If not, we'll just focus our energy on the piano category instead."
A faint smile played on Mr. Walden's lips. "That's no problem. I'll call her over in a bit."
The woman waved her hand. "No, no need. | can go to her. Stella's busy enough-between preparing for a concert
and the competition, I'm sure her schedule is packed. No sense wasting her time.
By the way, could you geta few tickets to her concert? My students have been stalking the website for ages
and still can't snag a single seat.
Surely, as her mentor, you could pull a few strings?"
Mr. Walden's smile froze.
"Stella?"
She raised an eyebrow. "Yes-Stella's your student, isn't she?" Watching his face carefully, she began to realize
something. "Wait... Walden, don't tellStella isn't your protégé?"
Mr. Walden pressed his lips together and stayed silent.
She stared at him, incredulous. "No way. If it's not Stella, then who is it?"
He hesitated, then answered quietly, “Rachel.”
"Rachel..." The woman's look shifted, her eyes flickering with surprise and disappointment. "I've seen her
perform. My students are nothing special, but beating Rachel shouldn't be a problem."
Mr. Walden said nothing.
She sighed, clearly let down. "If Stella's not your protégé, then | suppose this visit was a waste. I'll have to find
another way to meet her."
Pausing at the door, she turned and added, “Walden, you used to have such an eye for talent. If you're passing
up someone like Stella, maybe you're not quite as sharp as you once were."
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