Chapter 10 Unreasonable Favoritism

Hadley stiffened suddenly. She knew Eric was alluding to an incident from four years

earlier…

Indeed, in his perspective, she remained deeply flawed.

Hadley gave a small smile, and then gently pulled her arm back, quietly going along with what they wanted.

“I admit, it was my own carelessness.”

Nyla exhaled a worried sigh. “How could you be so careless? Introducing you is now a dilemma. It’s not merely about people misjudging my oversight. It also comes across as disrespectful. How do you plan to mingle with them now?”

She then addressed Eric. “Isn’t there a spare dress for her? This attire isn’t suitable.”

“Nyla.”

Before Eric could offer a solution, Hadley intervened with a reassuring smile. “It’s alright. If it complicates things, let’s skip the introductions.”

“What?” Nyla’s confusion was evident. “How can we overlook introductions at your own welcome home party?”

Not only Nyla, but Eric and Linda also gave Hadley bewildered looks, their expressions filled with curiosity.

Hadley paid no mind to their stares and offered Nyla a reassuring smile. “Don’t worry about it. Your generosity in arranging this event is more than enough for me. The finer details aren’t important.”

“But…”

Hadley noticed Nyla’s lingering concern and reassured her further. “There will be other opportunities.”

That seemed to resolve the matter.

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Chapter 10 Unreasonable Favoritism

Nyla took Hadley’s hand gently and gave it a comforting pat. “I’m so sorry things unfold like this.”

“Please, there’s no need for apologies. I’m quite alright.”

As she withdrew her hand, Hadley insisted, “The guests shouldn’t be kept waiting Go ahead without me. I’m not quite dressed for the occasion.”

Nyla exhaled a resigned sigh, torn but accepting.

“Look after yourself, and let’s chat later.”

“Of course.”

“Nyla.” With a warm smile, Linda looped her arm through Nyla’s. “Don’t be upset. Now that Hadley’s here, she’ll have plenty of time to spend with you. Why don’t I accompany you this evening?”

“Linda.” With a chuckle, Nyla affectionately squeezed Linda’s hand. “I love you too. Both of you are like granddaughters to me.”

They shared a laugh and moved on.

Eric initially followed but paused after a few paces, turning to look back at Hadley.

He observed her retreating figure from afar.

Her silhouette appeared solitary, prompting a frown from Eric… Had he been too harsh?

“Eric?”

Linda realized he was lagging behind and turned to see him staring at Hadley from afar.

She bit her lip slightly. “Did my earlier words upset you?”

“No.” Eric reassured her as he met her gaze. “You were protecting Grandma from worry. You acted appropriately. Why would I hold that against you?”

Linda’s face lit up with relief. “I appreciate your understanding. Shall we?”

“Sure.”

Hadley found herself at a secluded table, surrounded by strangers. Not recognizing anyone suited her just fine–she preferred solitude anyway.

her expectations for a

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be a comforting par Tim

like this”

need to

shouldn’t be kept waiting, Go sheed without me. I’m not quite brassed for

a resigned sigh, torn

and let’s

“Of course.”

Hadley’s here,

I love you too. Both of you are like

laugh

but paused after a few

her retreating figure

appeared solitary, prompting a frown from Eric… Had he

“Eric?”

and turned

her lip slightly. “Did

gaze. “You were protecting Grandma from worry. You

up with relief. “I appreciate

“Sure.”

herself at a secluded table, surrounded by strangers. Not recognizing anyone suited

expectations for a quiet evening

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Chapter 10 Unreasonable

glanced

“Who is that?”

it appropriate for someone dressed like

tuning out the murmurs. She hadn’t

was

grasped the soup plate with both hands and savored a

“Unbelievable!”

“How rude!”

“We should leave.”

with looks

the plate back on the table, Hadley maintained a

welcome relief.

was drawn back. Did one of those

surprise, Hadley saw Eric positioning himself at the table, his hand resting on its

faced her.

had he come over? Did she do something to

something you

expression tightening as he looked at her

her previously more modest

her. Perhaps it was

he wasn’t fond of Hadley, circumstances had changed. This event was meant to welcome her, organized by

even been

Linda has only recently entered the entertainment industry. It’s

His voice faded away.

the situation. Was he attempting to

moments meant for apologies, Eric struggled to say the simple word “sorry” directly. What was the point

smile, Hadley replied, “I’m aware.

Eric’s discomfort. He eventually pierced the awkward silence. “You aren’t

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Chapter 11 kneemable faptism

light dude escaped Hadley, finding

appeared that audiret hostility was a trait bound

was a thing of

reassuring smile and a shake of her head. “No. You said it

Her composure remained intact

saw no cause for concern.

voiced her confusion. “Shouldn’t

her way

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