Chapter <b>549 </b>


    Lyra nudged Charlie with a yful grin. “Look at Zee. He knows <b>how </b>to find a girlfriend! You? You’ll be single forever!”


    Charlie, unfazed, lit a cigarette and took a drag. “If I could actually get <b>the </b>woman I love, I’d quit smoking in a heartbeat. Not even second–<b>hand </b>smoke!”


    Just as the cigarette touched Charlie’s lips, Zion stepped up and snuffed it out. Charlie stared at the fallen ashes, bewildered “What are you doing?”


    “Mavy can’t tolerate second–hand smoke.”


    Charlie raised a thumb. “Alright, alright, I see how it is. You’ve got a girlfriend now and I’m old news. I’ll smoke outside.”


    With a resigned shrug, Charlie took his cigarette and headed to the balcony.


    While resting her chin on her <b>hand</b>, Lyra watched Zion and shook her head in amazement. “He’s just started dating and he’s already this protective. That’s my brother.”


    Maeve observed Zion clean up the floor and couldn’t help but smile sweetly.


    The next day, the Mirage Group trainees made their debut. In stark contrast, the Hackett Group trainee team had been inactive for days, and their promised show was canceled.


    Cathy stormed into Edward’s office and mmed her hand on his desk. “When am I going to debut?”


    For days now, the Hackett Group’s <b>trainer </b>team had dwindled to just Wendy, Dorothy, and a few unimpressive trainees. Some had already tried to jump ship, and Wendy hadn’t <b>shown </b>up for practice.


    Cathy was seriously doubting if she’d ever debut at this rate.


    It wasn’t until she saw the news today, featuring Mason’s debut with Mirage Group, that she realized Hackett Group’s trainees had been poached.


    Her former teammates, even those less talented than her, had debuted with <b>Mirage </b>Group, while she was stuck here, unheard and unseen. Cathy was <b>in </b>disbelief and couldn’t ept her fate.


    As Cathy red at him, Edward took a slow sip of his tea and said, “Ms. Burns, try to stay calm. This situation is beyond our control. With no trainees <b>avable </b>and no investment in the project at <b>the </b>moment, I’m concerned as well<b>.</b>”


    Cathy’s frustration boiled over. “You promised <b>me </b><b>a </b>debut! And now you’re saying this? What are <b>you </b>talking about?”


    “Yes, we did promise a debut,” Edward replied. “But the contract doesn’t specify when. Once the fundinges through, I promise you’ll get your chance.”


    And when will that be?” This text is ? N?velDrama/.Org.


    “Well… I’m not sure. We’re waiting on thepany’s decision.”


    Cathy pressed on, “So what about me? What should I do in the meantime?”


    Edward wiped his mouth and said, “In the meantime…. just go home and wait. I’ll let you know as soon as we have the <b>funds</b>.”


    Cathy’s heart sank as she realized Hackett Group had no real intention of letting her debut anytime soon.


    If she stayed, there would be no progress. Not only would she miss her debut, but the contract would also restrict her from pursuing private gigs and earning ie. As she aged, her chances of debuting and joining a group would only decrease.


    “<b>Maeve</b>, you really did <b>me </b>dirty!”


    With a final bite of her lip, Cathy stormed out of Edward’s office