Too Late, Mr. Billionaire: You Can't Afford Me by Thedora Birnir

You Had Me Once, Never Again 11

Chapter 115 She’s In Trouble

Hadley spent the entire day practicing in the dance studio.

In just two days, she would have to prove her progress to Blanche. If she, passed, the troupe would officially begin rehearsals.

By the time the clock hit a quarter past six, she changed into her own clothes, grabbed her bag, and hurried

out.

“Hadley, want to grab dinner with us tonight?” A few colleagues in the dressing room called out.

“Wish I could, but I have to be somewhere.” She shot a quick glance at the time.

There was a scene she had to film that evening, and being late wasn’t an option.

“Have fun, everyone. See you all tomorrow!”

With that, she dashed out of the room.

“Oh, Hadley…”

“What’s she always so busy with? She never shows up to any of our gatherings.”

One of the girls, Alita Reed, scoffed, her tone dripping with disdain.

“She just showed up out of nowhere. Ms. Nicolson handpicked her because of her so–called talent. Why would she waste time with us?”

The moment Hadley’s special recruitment came up, the room buzzed with conversation.

“I heard she used to dance with Red. People say she’s actually really good.”

“Yeah, I watched her during practice. She’s got serious talent.”

Alita let out a sharp scoff.

“Talent? You talk like the rest of us don’t know how to dance.”

If they weren’t skilled, they wouldn’t be here at all. Yet, despite their hard work, they were still stuck in minor roles. Meanwhile, Hadley had barely set foot in the troupe and was already leading a performance.

Not everyone was happy about it.

And no one resented the situation more than Alita.

She had been dancing under Blanche’s instruction since childhood, personally chosen to train with Lightning.

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Chapter 115 She’s in Trouble

been the most promising young dancer.

to their shows were highly sought after, so Blanche opened an additional cast group Most people assumed Alita would get

showed up out

had stolen the lead role right out from under

her so special?” Alita muttered under her breath, her words laced with bitterness “She probably just

had already been swirling around. People whispered that Hadley hadn’t earned her spot through talent alone. Many saw her show up with a man the day she got

man behind her was someone

probably just using

hand over Alita’s mouth. “You can’t say things like that. Ms. Nicolson

“Get off me!”

her colleague away, but she knew

wind of her spreading rumors, she’d be thrown out without a

to let

a close watch.

quietly trailed behind, following her through multiple

rich guy backing her? Why

the moment they stepped off the subway, her complaints

surged through her

studio. What was she doing

over her face and tugging her cap lower, Alita kept her distance and

Hadley entered

patiently. Minutes later, Hadley stepped back out, now

out her phone, turned on the camera, and snapped several

formed on her lips. “Hadley, this

back into her pocket, she turned

the filming set, Hadley spotted Elvin and approached him. “Mr. Webster, I need to talk to

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118 She’s in Trouble

nod. “Go

a proper dancing studio. “I’m struggling to balance everything Filming might get difficult for

joined the crew, I went out of my way to vouch for you

with the director.”

creeping into her voice. “And I really appreciate everything you’ve

was to seem ungrateful, but Lightning Studio

on outside work.

in her case, she

She was the face of the troupe, the equivalent of

about walking away from the film crew entirely. But she had signed a contract. Leaving now would mean paying a

she couldn’t just disappear

her screen time, which was possible

on me.

for a moment before letting out a sigh. “Alright, I’ll see what I can do. But you’ll still

wasn’t up for

opportunities might

it.” Hadley nodded, grateful for his understanding. “I’ll

genuinely grateful that Elvin wasn’t upset with her. Instead

her luck wasn’t as

“Thanks, Mr. Webster.”

casual wave. “Now go