?Chapter 54:


    “Where’s she off to now?”


    “Stay, even if you won’t reveal your face, dance again!”


    Yet, Hadley continued on her way, leaving the audience’s pleas behind.


    Backstage, Lennon burst into the dressing room, his face alight with excitement.


    “You absolutely killed it with that dance, Hadley!” he eximed.


    Standing, Hadley offered a modest smile. “Thank you, Mr. Lewis. I just did what I could.”


    “Don’t be modest!” Lennon dismissed her humility with a wave of his hand. “Just as I thought, everyone’s buzzing about who the mysterious new dancer is. I knew you’d be a sensation right from the start!”


    Hadley then asked, “Well, Mr. Lewis… Does that mean my work for tonight is finished?”


    He had mentioned earlier that the n was just for one performance, though he had also hinted they might adjust based on the audience’s reaction. Since no additional costume was prepared, it seemed they were sticking to the original n.


    “Yep, you’re done for tonight,” Lennon replied.


    “If you step back out there now, you’d dispel all the intrigue we’ve built. We want to keep them longing for more, don’t we?”


    “Scarcity marketing,” Hadley responded.


    “Exactly!” Lennon pped enthusiastically, hisughter filling the room. “You’re free to go now. No more performances tonight.”


    Really? Hadley was both surprised and slightly embarrassed. “I’ve only danced one tune.”


    He reassured her. “That’s sufficient for today. We’re just setting the stage. When you eventually reveal your face, the excitement will escte, and you’ll need to engage more with the crowd. Prepare for that. Plus, once that starts, you’ll see additional tips on top of your regr pay. Just be patient.”


    “Yes, I get it,” Hadley nodded in agreement. “Thanks, Mr. Lewis.”


    “There’s no need for thanks. You’ve earned it. Just keep up the great work!”


    “Absolutely.”


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    Once Lennon had exited, Hadley took a moment to remove her makeup. Considering the schedule—just four hours each evening for a single performance, rehearsals included—it wasn’t overly demanding. She thought about finding another job during the day to supplement her ie. Every bit of additional ie was significant.


    After she had removed all traces of stage makeup and changed back into her usual attire, Hadley picked up her bag and made her way toward the exit.


    “Wait a second! Hey, you, miss!”


    Confused, Hadley halted in her tracks. She pivoted on her heel, spotting a young man a few paces back. He was remarkably tall, standing over six feet, with a slim, youthful build and a face that radiated charisma. Self-consciously, Hadley touched her chest and raised her eyebrows.


    “Yes,” he replied, stepping forward with a small key pouch in his hand, which he held out to her. “You dropped this, didn’t you?”


    Recognizing the pouch, Hadley nodded, grateful. “Yes, that’s mine.”


    She tapped her bag, puzzled. “I wonder how it fell out.”


    “Here you go,” he said with a friendly smile, handing her the keys.


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