?Chapter 772:


    “Shh, lower your voice…”


    “And why should I? Since when is beingte excusable?”


    “Maybe someone should check with her assistant again?” Tessie paced anxiously, gripping her phone tightly. Linda had given her word that she would be on time—what could have gone wrong?


    Clenching her jaw, she redialed.


    After several long rings, Linda finally picked up.


    “Linda, are you caught in traffic?” Tessie asked gingerly.


    “I’m noting tonight.” Linda’s voice was icily decisive before she abruptly ended the call.


    “Hello?”


    Tessie was taken aback. She wasn’ting? And without so much as a word of exnation? How was she supposed to justify this to everyone else? But Linda was a difficult person to offend. Torn between her feelings, Tessie made her way into the rehearsal room, forcing a smile onto her face.


    “I’m really sorry, everyone. Linda had a scheduling conflict, so tonight’s rehearsal is off.”


    The room erupted with grumbles.


    “She could have let us know sooner instead of leaving us hanging!”


    “Does anyone else’s time not count?”


    Tessie found herself apologizing over and over, “I truly apologize, everyone… I really do.”


    She then approached Hadley. “Miss Pearson, I’m sorry… for making you wait as well.”


    “It’s alright.”


    Hadley offered a gentle smile, her demeanor much calmerpared to the others. She usually finished work around this time, so it hadn’t really disrupted her evening.


    “I’ll be heading out then,” Hadley said.


    “Sure, Miss Pearson.”


    In the dressing room, Hadley couldn’t shake the thought of why Linda had failed to show up despite their agreement.


    She checked her phone and saw an unread message.


    Eric had sent it just five minutes ago. “I’m here, at the main entrance.”


    After changing into her clothes, she stepped outside and spotted Eric waiting by his car in the distance.


    “Tired?” he asked, taking her backpack.


    “I didn’t do much tonight.” Hadley shook her head, her gaze piercing as she looked up at him. “Linda didn’t show up, leaving everyone in the lurch. Do you know why?”


    “Hmm?” Eric tilted his head, chuckling lightly. “How would I know?”


    Noticing her skepticism, he smirked. “What, are you putting me to the test? I genuinely have no idea. Want me to ask Ernest?”


    He reached for his phone, a mischievous twinkle in his eye.


    “No need!” Hadley quickly intervened.


    It waste, and she didn’t want to disturb Ernest for something so trivial.


    “You sure?” Eric teased, his eyes shining with yful mischief. “I’m afraid you won’t believe me and might get jealous for no reason!”


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