A Life Debt Repaid novel Chapter 728

Everyone rehearsed their roles as Jay instructed, practicing their routes and dialogues before freestyling their respective performances.

Zoe was exhausted and therefore constantly distracted, even missing her cues constantly—she did not have that many lines but made a mess of everything.

She clearly saw Jay's brow creasing deeply and wondered then if he regretted saving her during the last stage.

Hailey arrived for an inspection just then.

She had been rehearsing with her group at the next studio, but they could hear her scoldings despite the immaculate soundproofing between studios.

The diva was so strict that she would start snapping at anyone merciless if they failed to meet her demands.

Many who were not chosen for her group were rejoicing in the fact—would they even survive otherwise?

In fact, word had it that Hailey left one of her thespians breaking down in tears even before they got started.

And now, Hailey herself was sitting beside Jay—they were arguing a little over Zoe yesterday, but it seemed that it was nothing personal. It was merely a difference in opinion between judges, and since there was no competition between the judges, holding grudges was completely unnecessary.

As a matter of fact, Hailey came to check on Jay's progress because she was really frustrated with her own group and was keen to see if other groups were the same.

Naturally, she could see that Zoe was completely out of it and lost it immediately even though Jay was perfectly calm.

"Zoe York! Are you sleepwalking?!"

Hailey's sudden outburst halted the entire rehearsal, and some of the faint-hearted ones flinched, their faces turning pale.

Zoe, whose name was called, was naturally even more shocked and was wide-awake.

"I've been watching you for a while, but how many mistakes do you think you could make?!" Hailey continued, not withholding her criticism at all. "Did you even listen to anything I said about that performance of yours last night, only to give this type of showing today?! If I were you, I would've doubled my efforts after having my flaws pointed out blatantly, but you're just squandering the chance Mr. Parker gave you! You're absolutely humiliating the man, and you're never going to turn your career around with that attitude of yours!"

Zoe—and the rest of the thespians in her group—truly experienced Hailey's ability in dishing out a scolding right then.

"Your apologies are always perfect, but you never seemed to correct yourself—"

"Zoe, please leave the rehearsal for now," Jay suddenly said, cutting Hailey short.

Hailey turned toward Jay right then, but he added, "Everyone else can continue the rehearsal while Zoe watches from a corner."

"Okay." Zoe stepped down from the stage.

It left Hailey feeling a little awkward—Jay said nothing earlier, even allowed her to call Zoe out.

However, he also cut Hailey short, clearly refusing to let her continue disciplining Zoe.

It seemed that the man was not as calm as the rumors claimed.