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.”

13:46

< 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!”

cut through the air, sharp enough to make her pause

tone was cautious. “Do you… need

expression darkened instantly, irritation

be here is because Grandma sent me?” His jaw tightened. “Can’t I come looking for you

it was–his sudden shifts in mood, as unpredictable

them and tilted her head toward

there.”

“Mm, okay.”

over her as Elissa stepped away. She never knew what to expect with Eric, and the last

kept her voice even, careful.

“Here.”

his pocket and pulled out bought from Evergrand Mall.

same style as the one she had left in

freshly

warning, he tossed it

reflexes kicked in as she reached out, barely managing

dim glow of the streetlights,

isn’t mine.”

Eric’s tone was as firm as ever. “I tried to give it back

uldn’t take

it.”

rare for him–his words faltering

this one. Take it

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13:46

O

<

It Or

before he fixed her with an

odd tension behind it. “Isn’t it nice? Don’t

blinked, completely thrown.

expression darkened. Impatient. “I’m asking you a question. Do

was this about? And why was

With him like this, refusing

she murmured, nodding. “It’s

replace hers, she might as well accept

on it? She had no idea of their value. To her,

skin, the delicate band stood out, and for a fleeting second, something in his expression shifted–a quiet satisfaction surfacing at the edges of his lips.

going

My friend’s waiting for

small nod. “Go on ahead.”

“Okay.”

word, Hadley turned and jogged

grinned. “All settled?”

“Yeah!”

“Alright, let’s go!”

and disappeared down the sidewalk. Eric watched them for a long moment, eyes lingering on Hadley’s retreating figure. Then, as if snapping out of a trance, he exhaled, turned, and

possible, he followed them.

way into an old residential district nestled in the

reached the entrance of the neighborhood. His eyes flicked to the

this

as he tapped the steering wheel, and then, without hesitation, turned the

low

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13:46

<

<

It Or Leave

burst of

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

leaned back against the plush sofa, unconcerned. “Mm.”

knowingly. “Well, someone’s in a good mood

teasing. “Come on, tell me–does

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