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

Chapter 116

116 Dismissal From The Position

Blanche’s smile disappeared in an instant, replaced by a sharp, simmering anger.

“Ever since I took charge of this studio, no one has dared to break our rules. Yet here you are, the first to take on outside work without permission!”

“Ms Nicolson.”

Hadley’s face lost all color, but she had to explain herself.

“I did take an outside job, but it was before 1 became part of the troupe. I already had a contract with that production team and…”

“And what of it?” Blanche snapped.

Hadley’s words carried no weight.

Blanche had a reputation for being strict. She never made exceptions once the rules were broken.

“You were still working on that outside project while you were here with us, weren’t you?”

Hadley parted her lips, but nothing came out. It was the truth, and there was no way to refute it.

“How reckless!”

Blanche shut her eyes. Frustration and disappointment flickered across her face.

Rules were rules.

“No matter how much regret weighed on her, she couldn’t allow Hadley to stay.

Blanche lifted a hand, her voice sharp and unwavering. “Change out of your practice clothes and leave. Now.” Hadley’s head snapped up, her eyes already glistening with tears. “Ms. Nicolson, I…”

“There’s nothing more to say.” Blanche lifted a hand, silencing her. “I brought you in, but once you chose to break the rules yourself, I had no way to protect you. If I did, how could I expect to lead this troupe?”

She let out a slow sigh and gave Hadley a hard look. “What a waste! You’re the one throwing away your own future.”

After a pause, something unreadable flickered across her face. “But maybe this isn’t the worst outcome. With your talent, you might be better off in entertainment. I’m sure you’ll do well there.”

“No, Ms. Nicolson…”

Hadley shook her head, her voice steady. Acting had never been her dream.

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Chapter 116 Dismissal From The Position

“Hadley, just leave.”

Blanche’s tone was final. “With Eric backing you, you’ll have no trouble finding success in the industry. Leaving this place isn’t the end of the world.”

make this

no turning back.

no defense. She could only blame herself for handling everything

time, she wasn’t sure she would have

“Ms. Nicolson.”

pressed down on her as Hadley lowered her head. “I’ll go now.”

“Just go.”

turned away, refusing to

outside and stood frozen. It felt as if the entire world had caved in around her. How had things unraveled

center stage as the lead dancer. She hadn’t even had

was

Everything was gone.

made her way back to the locker room,

eyes darting between their phones and Hadley. They weren’t even trying

to hide it.

breath caught as

the studio’s group chat, Blanche

lead dancer, was caught working as a stand–in for a production crew without authorization. This has been confirmed. Effective immediately, she is dismissed from her position in this

tears

around her phone, her jaw

cut through

sharp. “Wow. Looks like our

“Enough,” someone muttered.

Lightning’s back? That takes nerve! Oh, and Hadley, aren’t you supposed to be talented? Didn’t someone pull strings to get you in? Maybe he can do it. again

13:39

Dismissal From

mean Eric?

Not that it mattered. She had no leverage anymore. If she

lighthearted laugh, casually tossing her

them for you once, but do you really think she’ll do it again? Are you that

a smirk before turning on her

ladies! Practice isn’t

sauntered off, Hadley couldn’t shake the uneasy feeling creeping over her. Something

with the

head. Not that it mattered now. Even if she uncovered the truth, what difference would it make? This time, she

apartment that day, sinking into the quiet weight

evening, her

I’m

flat with exhaustion.

guard. “You already left? Did rehearsals wrap up early today?”

had been working. In just a few days, she was supposed to take center

“Yeah,” she muttered.

lacked its usual spark. “Listen,

waiting for a reply, she ended the

his phone,

distant, almost defeated. That wasn’t

he could think