Chapter 547

Erica playfully nudged Randy. “Take notes. That’s how one gets a girlfriend. You? You’re going to be single forever at this rate.”

Randy shrugged, lighting his cigarette. “If I ever managed to land the woman I love, I wouldn’t just quit smoking; I’d stop even breathing smoke.”

He had barely taken his first drag when Marion stood up and snatched the cigarette right out of his hand, stubbing it out.

Staring at the ash scattered on the floor, Randy blinked in disbelief. “What the hell, man?”

“Debra doesn’t like smoke.”

Randy gave him a thumbs-up. “Well, romance before bromance. Fine, I’ll go smoke outside.”

Randy grabbed his pack and headed for the balcony. Erica rested her chin on her hand, grinning at Marion. “Wow, you’re protective, cousin.”

As Marion tidied up the scattered ash on the floor, Debra couldn’t help but smile sweetly.

The next day, the McKinney Group’s trainee team officially debuted. In contrast, the trainee program at Potter Entertainment had been shut down for several days, and their much-anticipated show had been canceled.

Unhappy with how things were going, Freya stormed into Henry’s office, slamming her fist on the desk. “When are you going to let me debut?”

It had been days since any movement from the trainee program. The only ones left were Eve, Ashley, and a few others who were barely worth mentioning. The others were already seeking opportunities elsewhere. Eve hadn’t even been showing up to practice. With things in such disarray, Freya had serious doubts about whether she’d ever debut at all. If it hadn’t been for catching the news earlier that morning and seeing Oscar already debuted with the McKinney Group, she wouldn’t have even known that most of Potter Entertainment’s trainees had been poached.

Now, her former teammates, including people who had been worse than her, were making it big, and she was still stuck in the same spot. That was a situation she would never accept.

Facing Freya’s outburst, Henry calmly sipped his tea before responding. “Miss George, please calm down. This is not something we can decide now. Right now, we’re short on trainees and investments. I’m just as troubled by this as you are.”

Frustrated, Freya clenched her fists. “You promised I would debut. And now you’re saying this? What’s your game here?”

“We did promise you would debut,” Henry replied smoothly, “but the contract never specified when. Rest assured, as soon as the funding comes through, you’ll be the first to debut. I give you my word.”

“And when will that be, exactly?” Freya demanded, her patience thinning.

“Well, that depends on the higher-ups’ decision. We’ll have to wait and see.”

Freya’s anxiety grew, her voice rising. “What am I supposed to do in the meantime? Just sit around and wait?”

Henry wiped his mouth with a napkin. “Why don’t you go home and wait for further notice? Once the funds are secured, I’ll let you know.”

It hit Freya like a ton of bricks. She realized belatedly that they had no intention of letting her debut. Not only was her debut slipping away, but she was also bound by her contract, unable to accept outside work. Without any financial support or opportunities, she’d waste years here. By the time she got out, she’d be too old to make it in the industry.

“Damn Debra. She set me up.”

Biting her lip in anger, Freya stormed out of the office.

Henry shook his head and sighed.

Chapter 91