No Substitutes for the Bigshots' Dream Girl Anymore!-Chapter 1793: Daily Life After Marriage (21)

"How long are you planning to stay this time?" she asked.

Jack Stewart thought about it. He had been living so freely this past year that he hadn’t really made any concrete plans. "Not sure. How about you? How long are you staying?"

Hannah always loved traveling. She had mentioned it back in college.

She said she wanted to travel the world someday, to see what it’s like out there. Otherwise, what’s the point of coming into this world?

"Probably until the New Year," Hannah guessed.

Arnold Simmons’ company still had some final work left to wrap up.

"You should stay too. During the New Year, let’s get everyone together," she suggested.

Later that night, when the gathering was over, everyone walked to the door together. Lucy Taylor hugged Hannah tightly, reluctant to let go.

Their original debut group had long gone separate ways. Even when they occasionally ran into each other, it was just a quick hello in passing. Now, only the two of them still kept in touch.

"Hannah, when you’re free, you absolutely have to come visit me on set, okay?"

Lucy’s cheeks were flushed from drinking. She completely lacked her usual commanding and flamboyant presence on stage. Instead of her cool, sharp comments, she was now pouting and acting coy.

Hannah reached out and patted her head. "Sure, just send me your schedule. I promise I’ll come."

"You better not break your promise," Lucy said as she leaned her head on Hannah’s shoulder, gazing at her longingly.

The alcohol had definitely dulled her senses.

Hannah nodded. "I won’t."

Lucy, thoroughly tipsy, was led off by her assistant. Most of the others were in a similar state.

Hannah had already noticed the black sedan parked by the roadside earlier.

After bidding the others goodbye, she jogged over toward it.

The car door opened and then closed. A playful, girlish voice floated out into the night air. "When did you get here?"

The car drove off, getting smaller and smaller until it disappeared completely into the dark night.

Jack Stewart retracted his gaze, pulled his hood up over his head, shoved his hands in his pockets, and said to the others, "I’m heading out."

Hayes Edwards, drunk, was crouched by the curb while his assistant stood nearby, keeping an eye on him.

James Landon still hadn’t left.

It wasn’t that he didn’t want to go; it was because Hayes insisted on holding him back and demanding feedback on the song he had just performed.

It was the same song Hayes had sung for his stage evaluation during their talent show days.

James Landon hadn’t changed much; he only took off his glasses for the evening. Although he couldn’t see clearly in the dark, his hearing was still sharp. "Do you really want me to be honest?"

Hayes patted his chest confidently. "Go ahead, speak your mind. Don’t hold back. I’ve been in the industry so long—I can handle a bit of criticism."

Despite his words, Hayes was clearly waiting with anticipation.

James instinctively went to adjust his glasses, raising his hand halfway before realizing he wasn’t wearing them tonight. He dropped his hand back down. "Honestly, it was bad. Really bad. Completely off-pitch, no sense of melody, and..."

Still the same blunt, sharp tongue as ever.

Hayes nearly started crying, lowering his head and covering his face. "Stop! Have some mercy on me!"

James looked confused. "Weren’t you the one who told me to be bold and honest?"

Hayes: "..."

He burst into even louder sobs.

*

Early the next morning, Hannah found herself trending twice on social media. 𝚏𝗿𝗲𝐞𝚠𝕖𝐛𝗻𝗼𝐯𝕖𝚕.𝚌𝗼𝗺

Both trending topics featured her name: #HannahPayneJohnson and #HannahReunion.

Since her retirement from the entertainment industry, this marked the third time she had made it onto the trending lists.

The first time was for her wedding. The second was upon her return to the country. And the third time was now.

Each time she trended, it was a media frenzy, with multiple related hashtags climbing right behind. The buzz and traffic even rivaled some of the biggest current celebrities.

—Can someone please explain what’s going on with Hannah and Payne Johnson?!

—No way! My Brother Payne would never date anyone!