?Chapter 259:


    “Do I need a reason to call?”


    Yet, he did have a purpose. “I’ll pick you up at six. Stay at home until then.”


    Hadley scowled. “Why should I?”


    Why should she wait for him at all?


    Before she could finish her sentence, Eric cut in. “It’s decided. I have things to handle. We’ll talkter.” With that, he ended the call.


    “Hey!” Hadley let out a shortugh, clearly beyond frustrated. “So be it! Eric can do whatever he wants. I’ve got my own path to follow,” she muttered to herself.


    Reaching her destination, Hadley stepped off the bus and made her way into the office tower, where the dance studio awaited on the fifth floor.


    Upon entering the elevator, she was immediately greeted by a familiar voice. “Hadley?”


    Looking ahead, Hadley saw Linda beaming at her. “Fancy meeting you here. It’s been ages.”


    Hadley gave her only a fleeting nce and remained silent.


    Linda’s smile quickly faded, reced by a scornful tone. “Really, not even a ‘hi’? I said hello—can’t you at least acknowledge that?”


    Facing Linda squarely, Hadley replied, “Save your courtesies. There’s no need for pretenses. Eric isn’t here, and neither is N… Who are you trying to impress?”


    “You—”


    Interrupting, Hadley cocked her head. “Or is it that you’ve been pretending for so long you’ve convinced yourself you’re genuinely decent? That must be exhausting.”


    “You—”


    Linda’s face went pale, then turned red with anger.


    With a dismissive scoff, she retorted sharply, “You’re here for an interview, right?”


    A smug grin spread across Linda’s face. “Well, I’d suggest you stop wasting your time. Because in Srixby… you won’t find a job.”


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    Hadley stopped in her tracks. “What do you mean by that?”


    “What do I mean?” Linda folded her arms, smirking as she enjoyed the moment. “Isn’t it obvious? Do you not see how dire your situation is?” She looked Hadley up and down with clear disdain. “While I won’t critique your talents—since you did graduate from an esteemed arts college in the—Is it possible you’re so inept that no one will employ you?”


    Frustration furrowed Hadley’s brow. “What are you trying to say?” Her patience was wearing thin. It was clear Linda was toying with her.


    “Just get to the point, or drop it.”


    “Alright, I’ll exin,” Linda said, her smirk widening. “It’s Eric’s doing—every dance venue in Srixby has been instructed not to hire you.”


    Hadley gasped, disbelief washing over her. This couldn’t be happening… Then it all clicked. The continuous rejections over thest few days weren’t due to herck of ability. It wasn’t her fault.


    It was Eric. He had systematically cut off all her potential opportunities.


    What was his motive? To drive her into desperation?


    A chill ran through her as she clenched her fists, herplexion turning pale.


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