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!”

voice cut through the air, sharp enough to make her pause

across her face. “Eric?” Her tone was

expression darkened instantly,

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

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

there.”

“Mm, okay.”

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

careful.

“Here.”

pulled

one she

freshly

warning, he tossed it toward her.

kicked in as she reached out, barely managing to catch it before it slipped through her

glow of the streetlights, she knew. Her brows

isn’t mine.”

couldn’t find yours.” Eric’s tone was as firm as ever. “I tried to give it back yesterday, but you

uldn’t take

it.”

rare for him–his

just bought this one.

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13:46

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<

It Or Leave It

time to process before he fixed her with an expectant stare.

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

blinked, completely thrown.

Impatient. “I’m asking you

And why was

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

nodding. “It’s

she might

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

onto her wrist. The small motion didn’t mean much to her, but Eric’s gaze flickered to it. Against her smooth skin, the delicate band stood out, and

going

toward Elissa. “Great! My

small nod. “Go on

“Okay.”

Hadley turned and jogged toward her friend. “Elissa!”

“All settled?”

“Yeah!”

“Alright, let’s go!”

lingering on Hadley’s retreating figure. Then, as if snapping

as possible, he followed them.

way into an old residential district nestled in

trailed behind in his car, slowing as he reached the entrance of the neighborhood.

remembered this place.

he tapped the steering wheel, and then, without hesitation, turned the car around and headed toward Poseidon’s Realm.

was lively tonight–filled with the low murmur of conversation, the

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13:46

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136 Take It Or Leave It

occasional burst

gathering, spotted Eric’s arrival and made his way

the plush sofa,

and then smirked knowingly. “Well,

his tone teasing. “Come on,

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