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 back.

only blame herself for handling everything so poorly.

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

“Ms. Nicolson.”

on her as Hadley

“Just go.”

away, refusing to look at

and stood frozen. It felt as if the entire world had caved

the

was over.

Everything was gone.

to the locker

their phones

to hide it.

caught as she looked at the

chat, Blanche

for a production crew without authorization. This has been confirmed. Effective immediately, she is dismissed

tears stung her eyes.

tightened around her phone, her jaw locking.

through

Looks like our

“Enough,” someone muttered.

clearly enjoying herself. “Working behind 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.

13:39

Dismissal From The Position

she mean

leverage anymore. If she ever had any worth

a lighthearted laugh, casually tossing her

to the letter. She might’ve bent them for you

smirk before turning

Practice isn’t

the uneasy feeling creeping

about her side job with the film production crew? Who

she uncovered the truth, what difference would it make? This time, she had no one to blame

that day, sinking into the quiet weight of her thoughts.

her phone

voice came through, casual as ever. “Hadley, I’m outside the

shifted in bed, her tone flat

sounded caught off guard. “You already left? Did rehearsals wrap

just a few days, she was supposed

“Yeah,” she muttered.

usual spark. “Listen, if that’s all, I’m

reply, she ended the

stared at his

sounded distant, almost defeated.

in, and before he could think twice, he turned the car toward West Twelfth Alley.