Erica yfully nudged Randy. "Take notes. That''s how one gets a girlfriend. You? You''re gonna be single forever at this rate."


    Randy shrugged, lighting his cigarette. "If I ever managed tond 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 confusion.


    "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 now, and their much-anticipated show had been canceled. Unhappy with how things were going, Freya stormed into Henry''s office, mming 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 her catching theC0ntent ? 2024 (N/?)velDrama.Org.


    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 ept.


    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 fundinges 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 btedly that they had no intention of letting her debut. Staying there would lead to nothing.


    Not only was her debut slipping


    away, but she was also bound by her


    contract, unable to ept 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.