Chapter 374
The performance was nothing short of a triumph.
Success didn’t happen overnight, but last night had changed everything. With media coverage flooding in, Hadley’s name was suddenly on everyone’s lips. The show had been a breakthrough—her first real step onto a bigger stage.
Even Blanche, usually reserved and strict, was in an uncharacteristically good mood. “Not bad, Hadley. You made me proud.”
Hadley’s heart swelled at the rare praise. “Thank you, Ms. Nicolson.” She knew full well that hard work and talent alone weren’t enough. Opportunities mattered.
Not everyone—no matter how gifted—got the chance to shine. And she was grateful for hers.
Blanche gestured for her to sit. “This is also because of your own hard work.”
Then, with the same sharp, businesslike tone as always, she continued, “Next, I’m including The Passage in the tour.”
A tour?
An international tour?
Could this all be happening a little too fast?
Blanche didn’t wait for Hadley to process it. “I called you here to remind you—don’t get complacent. If you ruin your reputation before the tour, you won’t be going.”
Hadley straightened immediately. “Understood!” How could she possibly waste this chance?
“I won’t slack off, Ms. Nicolson. I’ll give it everything I’ve got!”
Blanche studied her for a moment before nodding, a rare smile tugging at the corners of her lips. “Good. Now go.”
Blanche knew she had taken a significant risk by elevating Hadley to this position. But it wasn’t a decision made in isolation. Her husband had benefited from Eric’s influence, and in return, she had gambled on Hadley.
Luckily, Hadley had proven her worth.
Blanche had placed her reputation on the line, and Hadley had delivered.
In a way, Blanche felt a quiet sense of gratitude toward her—because if Hadley had failed, the consequences would have been severe.
When Hadley received the official tour schedule, she sat down to study it carefully. Her eyes skimmed over the list of locations, tracing each stop—until she froze. Blathe.
Lightning Dance Studio had toured Blathe before, but this time, it felt different.
Would this mean she could see Joy?
That evening, Denver arrived at the studio to pick her up.
She didn’t have a performance scheduled, so she wasn’t expecting him—but the moment she saw him, he greeted her with a familiar smile.
“This time, I booked somewhere a little fancier,” Denver said, his voice warm. “We need to properly celebrate your debut.”
Hadley hesitated for a moment, and then nodded.
At the restaurant, the warm glow of ambient lighting wrapped around them as they sat across from each other, the quiet hum of conversation filling the air.
As they waited for their food, Hadley took a slow sip of water, steadying herself.
Finally, she looked up, meeting the eyes of the man sitting across from her.