Chapter 136 Take It Or

Leave It

Disappointment was inevitable.

But Denver had braced himself for it–it was nothing unexpected.

He extended the bag toward Elissa, his expression unreadable. “Can you give this to Hadley?”

“Yeah, of course.”

She accepted it without hesitation, her eyes flicking to the logo–Red Shell Bistro. A bag full of desserts.

“Appreciate it.” Denver offered a faint smile, barely there. “I should get going.”

“Alright. Take care.”

A curt nod. “Yeah.”

Elissa watched as he walked away, exhaling softly before turning on her heel and making her way backstage.

Elissa set the bag down in front of Hadley with a casual tap. “Here. He dropped this off for you–desserts from Red Shell Bistro. Fancy stuff.”

Hadley stared at the bag, an unshakable heaviness settling in her chest.

“Hadley?” Elissa hesitated, but then leaned in just a little. “Are you… avoiding him? He seems nice–polite, even. What’s the problem? Don’t you like him?”

Hadley let out a soft laugh, but there was no humor in it.

“Her eyes lingered on the bag for a second before she shook her head. “He’s indeed nice. Too nice. That’s exactly

why I can’t get close.”

Elissa’s brows furrowed. “What? That makes no sense.”

Hadley inhaled deeply, as if steadying herself. “He comes from money.”

Understanding dawned in Elissa’s eyes. “Ah…” She nodded slowly, processing it.

“Then yeah, I guess… better to keep our feet planted where they belong.”

“Exactly.”

For a brief second, Hadley thought she caught something in Elissa’s tone–an odd shift, something wistful,

almost… off.

But before she could ask, Elissa straightened, brushing it away with a lighthearted smile. “Anyway, I’ll grab your

costume.”

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< Chapter 136 Take It Or Leave It

Hadley nodded, her voice softer this time. “Thanks.”

Eric pulled up outside the dance studio’s side entrance, parking just out of the way. He had been waiting for nearly half an hour, watching as staff and performers trickled out one by one.

Then, finally–there she was.

Hadley strolled out, arm in arm with another girl, their laughter light and unguarded. She had no idea he was

there.

That changed the moment he stepped out of the car.

“Hadley!”

air, sharp enough to make her

face. “Eric?” Her tone was cautious. “Do you… need something? Is Nyla looking for me?”

that, his expression darkened instantly, irritation flashing

the only reason I’d be here is because Grandma sent me?” His jaw tightened. “Can’t I come

There it was–his sudden shifts

Sensing the tension, Elissa glanced between them and tilted her head

there.”

“Mm, okay.”

washing over her as Elissa stepped away. She never knew what to expect with Eric, and the last thing she wanted was to

careful.

“Here.”

into his pocket and pulled out bought from

same style as the one she

freshly

warning, he tossed it toward

reflexes kicked in as she reached out, barely managing to catch it before it

it, even under the dim glow of the

isn’t mine.”

firm as ever.

uldn’t take

it.”

hesitated, something rare for

one. Take it

18.4%

13:46

O

<

It Or Leave It

he fixed

sharp, but there was an odd tension behind it. “Isn’t it nice? Don’t you… like it?”

completely

think of a response, his expression darkened. Impatient. “I’m asking you a question. Do you like it or not?”

was this about? And why was he behaving so aggressively?

inwardly. With him like this, refusing wasn’t an option.

murmured, nodding. “It’s

replace hers, she might as

their value. To her, it was just a simple, inexpensive hair

motion didn’t mean much to her, but Eric’s gaze flickered to it. Against her smooth skin, the delicate band stood out, and for a fleeting second,

going

My friend’s waiting

small nod.

“Okay.”

word, Hadley turned and jogged toward her

grinned. “All settled?”

“Yeah!”

“Alright, let’s go!”

long moment, eyes lingering on Hadley’s retreating figure. Then, as if snapping out of a trance, he exhaled, turned, and got back into his car.

as possible, he followed

streets, weaving its way into an

the

remembered this place.

the steering wheel, and then, without hesitation, turned the car

with the low murmur of conversation, the

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13:46

<

<

136 Take It Or Leave

burst

gathering, spotted Eric’s arrival and made his way over. “You

against the

Barrie raised a brow, and then smirked knowingly. “Well, someone’s in a

with his elbow, his tone teasing. “Come on, tell me–does this have anything to do with Hadley

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