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.”

toward the door. “Go now. Don’t make this harder than

was no turning

could only blame herself for handling everything so

could rewind time, she wasn’t sure she would have

“Ms. Nicolson.”

as Hadley lowered her head.

“Just go.”

refusing to look at her.

world had caved in around her. How had things unraveled

take center stage as the

was over.

Everything was gone.

way back to the locker room, she felt the weight of

of dancers huddled together, eyes darting between their phones and Hadley.

to hide it.

her phone vibrated. Her breath caught

the studio’s group chat, Blanche had made an announcement.

without authorization. This has been confirmed. Effective immediately, she is dismissed from her

blurred as tears stung her eyes.

around her phone, her jaw

through the tension.

nearby, arms crossed, her expression sharp. “Wow. Looks like our star recruit just got kicked out.”

“Enough,” someone muttered.

takes nerve! Oh, and Hadley, aren’t you supposed to be talented? Didn’t someone pull strings

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Dismissal From The Position

she mean

She had no leverage anymore. If she ever had any worth in Eric’s eyes, she

a lighthearted laugh, casually tossing her hair over her shoulder.

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

a smirk before turning on her

on, ladies! Practice isn’t going to wait!”

the uneasy

found out about her side job with

Even if she uncovered the truth, what difference would it make? This time,

her apartment that day, sinking into the

evening, her phone rang.

I’m outside the studio. When are

bed, her tone flat with exhaustion. “I’m not there.”

off guard. “You already left? Did rehearsals

she had been working. In just a few

“Yeah,” she muttered.

usual spark. “Listen,

a reply, she ended

at his

distant, almost defeated. That wasn’t like

feeling crept in, and before he could think twice, he turned the