?Chapter 789:


    If that happened, Astrid’s chances ofnding a decent husband would vanish forever.


    “Mrs. Moran, please, I beg you!” Noreen pleaded.


    Mission aplished, Wilma didn’t linger another second and stormed off.


    “Oh, God…” Noreen’s legs gave way, and she crumpled to the floor in a heap.


    Momentster, Astrid’s voice floated in from outside. “Mom? What’s happening? Why’s the door wide open? What if some crook slips in?”


    Stepping inside, Astrid was shocked to see her mother sprawled on the floor. “Mom, what is wrong?”


    At the sight of her daughter, a spark of rage ignited in Noreen’s chest. She reared back and delivered a sharp p across Astrid’s cheek.


    “Astrid, how dare you!”


    “I’m going to teach you a lesson you won’t forget!” Noreen snapped.


    Denver left home and headed straight for the dance studio. Upon arrival, the staff informed him that Hadley had dashed off to the TV station for an appearance.


    Undeterred, he followed her trail there. He lingered in his car, nerves jangling as he reyed the memory of Hadley’s tears—a haunting image of the pain he’d caused her. Atst, Denver summoned his courage, swung open the car door, and strode toward the station’s entrance.


    Inside, Hadley was caught up in a whirlwind of activity. Not wanting to interrupt, Denver loitered just outside the practice room. By some miracle, Linda showed up right on time that afternoon. After yesterday’s drama, Megan kept her head down and steered clear of trouble. When break finally arrived, Hadley slipped into the rest area to catch her breath.


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    As Hadley sipped her water, Tessie sauntered over with a gleam in her eye. “Miss Pearson, your friend has been lingering outside for quite a while. I tried coaxing him in, but he wouldn’t hear of it—insisted he didn’t want to bother you. So I tucked him away in the archive room next door. Got a moment now?”


    Hadley’s brow furrowed. Which friend could this be?


    “I’ve got time now. Thanks, Tessie.”


    “Anytime.” Tessie shed a cheeky wink. “He is quite the looker. Is he spoken for?”


    A handsome man? Hadley’s pulse quickened—she had a hunch who it might be. With a soft smile, she replied, “As far as I know, he is.”


    “Oh…” Tessie’s lips pursed in a yful pout. “Figures. A charmer like that wouldn’t be flying solo.”


    Hadley chuckled, set her water aside, and slipped out of the practice room into the archive room next door.


    No sooner had she left than Linda strolled over, scooped up her own water cup, and shed Tessie a grin. “What’s keeping Hadley?”


    Tessie let out a dramatic sigh. “Oh, her friend dropped by—gorgeous fellow, too! Shame he already has a sweetheart.”


    Linda’s curiosity piqued. Who could this mystery man be? It couldn’t be Eric—Tessie knew him well enough. So who else in Hadley’s circle could it be? Linda wasn’t in the mood for mysteries. She finished her water, set the cup down with a clink, and strolled off.


    Meanwhile, in the archive room, Hadley eased the door open and stepped inside. Denver sat quietly in a chair, hands idle, not even on his phone.


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