Chapter 336
She took a breath. “Here’s the thing.” She explained how she had joined a professional dance studio. “I’m struggling to balance everything. Filming might get difficult for me moving forward.”
Elvin’s expression darkened slightly. “Hadley, when you joined the crew, I went out of my way to vouch for you with the director.”
“I know,” she said, guilt creeping into her voice. “And I really appreciate everything you’ve done.”
The last thing she wanted was to seem ungrateful, but Lightning Studio had strict rules. Dancers weren’t allowed to take on outside work. And in her case, she was the lead.
The lead dancer wasn’t just another performer. She was the face of the troupe, the equivalent of a headlining star in the entertainment industry.
Hadley had thought about walking away from the film crew entirely. But she had signed a contract. Leaving now would mean paying a penalty. Besides, after everything Elvin had done for her, she couldn’t just disappear without a second thought.
Instead, she suggested cutting down her screen time, which was possible since she was merely a stand-in. “Mr. Webster, this is on me. I’m truly sorry.”
Elvin studied her for a moment before letting out a sigh. “Alright, I’ll see what I can do. But you’ll still have to be in a few crucial scenes.” That part wasn’t up for debate.
“You’ve already been paid well for this, and Adonis is serious about maintaining quality. In this industry, it’s always smart to leave doors open. Who knows what opportunities might come up in the future? If we get the chance to work together again, it’s best to keep things smooth. No need to burn any bridges.”
“I get it.” Hadley nodded, grateful for his understanding. “I’ll do as you suggest.”
She was genuinely grateful that Elvin wasn’t upset with her. Instead of making things difficult, he was willing to compromise.
Maybe her luck wasn’t as bad as she thought.
“Thanks, Mr. Webster.”
“You’re welcome.” Elvin gave a casual wave. “Now go get ready.”
“Got it.”
That night, Hadley didn’t step off the set until nearly midnight. By the time she made it back to her apartment, exhaustion weighed her down. The moment her head hit the pillow, she was out.
The next morning, Hadley stepped into the dance studio, ready to begin the day. She had just changed into her practice clothes and was about to step into the rehearsal room when someone called her name.
“Hadley!”
A colleague stood by the door. “Ms. Nicolson wants to see you in her office.”
“Got it! Thanks!”
She quickly locked her locker and hurried off.
When she reached Blanche’s office, she knocked lightly before stepping inside. “Ms. Nicolson, you asked for me?”
Blanche sat on the sofa, her expression unreadable. A cold wave of unease washed over Hadley. Blanche was always strict, but there was something different this time. There was a sharp glint in her eyes—anger, restrained but unmistakable.
“Ms. Nicolson…” Hadley swallowed, her voice hesitant. “Did I do something wrong?”