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 it needs to be.”

was no turning

defense. She could only blame herself for handling

time, she wasn’t sure she would have done anything

“Ms. Nicolson.”

on her as Hadley lowered

“Just go.”

turned away, refusing to look

if the entire world had

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

was over.

Everything was gone.

way back to the locker room, she felt

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

to hide it.

phone vibrated. Her breath caught as she looked at the

studio’s group chat, Blanche

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 troupe.”

as tears

tightened around her

voice cut through the

crossed, her expression sharp. “Wow. Looks like our star recruit just got

“Enough,” someone muttered.

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

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Dismissal From The Position

mean Eric?

that it mattered. She had no leverage anymore. If

out a lighthearted laugh, casually tossing her hair

them for you once, but do you

a smirk before

Practice isn’t

Hadley couldn’t shake the uneasy

about her side job with the film production

in her head. Not that it mattered now. Even if she uncovered the truth, what difference would it

day, sinking into the quiet

evening, her

“Hadley, I’m outside the studio. When are you getting out?”

flat with exhaustion. “I’m not

“You already left?

how hard she had been working. In just a few

“Yeah,” she muttered.

“Listen, if

a reply,

his phone, frowning.

almost defeated. That wasn’t like her.

think twice, he turned the