Chapter 737: Chapter 737: Doubting Life
Singing and dancing drained Hannah’s energy, and soon a thin layer of sweat covered her forehead. Her body temperature rose to the point that she felt like a portable little sun.
Her breath, too, felt significantly warmer than usual when she spoke.
Jack Stewart’s hand, holding his mobile phone, paused for a moment before turning his head. He was shocked, however, when his eyes met a pair of radiantly smiling ones.
Startled, he took a step back, clutching his collar like a teased woman, "What... What are you doing so close to me?"
Hannah stared at him curiously. "Isn’t this how we’ve always been?"
Jack Stewart paused for a moment, his voice sounding slightly uncertain, "No, it’s just that you startled me by coming so suddenly."
He lowered his head and continued to play with his phone, but his peripheral vision inevitably landed on Hannah.
Hannah tightened her grip on her water bottle and edged closer again on purpose. She tugged at the cord hanging from Jack Stewart’s clothes, her voice soft with a hint of amusement, "Jack Stewart, why are you acting so weird... Could it be..."
Jack Stewart instinctively swallowed.
"Could it be that you’re in love?"
Her sudden exhale nearly scared the life out of Jack Stewart. He withdrew his gaze and reclaimed his usual manner, "Hannah, how could you doubt my professionalism as a manager?"
Just as Hannah was about to respond, Jack Stewart’s phone rang once more.
It was the same number that had called before. "Hannah, don’t bother about it. We must scold these disrespectful stalkers until they question their existence. Let me handle this!"
Assumed that Hannah would have finished her rehearsal soon, George River dialed again, but before he could even speak, he was subjected to a torrent of scathing abuse.
Without even a chance to catch his breath, the line went dead as soon as the tirade finished.
George River held up the disconnected cellphone, his face turning green.
*
Smile 9’s performance was originally scheduled for an awkward slot, but considering Hannah’s popularity, the organisers adjusted it to be closer to the prime time slot.
Interestingly, Jackie Qualls was scheduled to perform right after Smile 9.
Though an acclaimed actor, Jackie Qualls had released a couple of albums. He might not be a professional singer, but his vocal tone was nevertheless pleasant.
Since Jackie Qualls substantially revamped his management team, his personal style underwent a change too. While he still retained his approachable demeanour, he projected more aloofness and indifference.
He still had that pleasing face, but it became harder for people to approach him and initiate a conversation.
The event staff led Jackie Qualls to his dressing room.
Upon reaching the door, Jackie Qualls glanced at the room next door.
The staff caught on quickly and promptly explained, "Smile 9 is still rehearsing on stage. They’ll probably be back in a bit."
No sooner had these words been spoken, a group of girls arrived from the direction of the stage.
The chattering group was fiercely engaged in a lively discussion but fell silent the moment they caught sight of Jackie Qualls.
Tiffany Lynch was at the forefront.
Though Jackie Qualls had been their mentor, there had been little contact since the shows ended. The sudden encounter left them wanting to reconnect, but the situation inevitably felt a bit awkward.
In the end, it was Tiffany Lynch who took the initiative, flashing a gentle smile at the genteel man in front of her and extending a friendly greeting, "Jackie, long time no see."
As she flashed him a sweet smile, she tucked her hair behind her ear, revealing her slender neck.
