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 pause

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

that, his expression darkened instantly, irritation flashing in

because Grandma sent me?” His jaw

slightly. There it was–his sudden shifts in mood, as unpredictable as

glanced between them and tilted her head toward

there.”

“Mm, okay.”

stepped away. She never knew what to expect with Eric, and

kept her voice even, careful.

“Here.”

his pocket and pulled out bought

one

freshly

warning, he tossed it

reached out, barely managing to catch it before it slipped

of the streetlights, she knew. Her brows knit together. “This

isn’t mine.”

as firm as ever. “I tried to give it back

uldn’t take

it.”

rare for him–his words faltering slightly.

this one. Take it or leave

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135 Take It Or Leave It

before he fixed her with

was an odd tension behind it. “Isn’t

completely

she could even think of a response, his expression darkened. Impatient. “I’m asking you a question. Do you like it or

why was he

like this,

nodding. “It’s

it was meant to replace hers, she might as well accept it. No

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

it. Against her smooth skin, the delicate band stood out, and for a

going

“Great! My

small nod.

“Okay.”

turned and jogged toward her

grinned. “All settled?”

“Yeah!”

“Alright, let’s go!”

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 got

discreetly as possible, he

lit streets, weaving its way into an old residential district

his car, slowing as he reached the entrance of the neighborhood. His eyes flicked to the faded sign at

this place.

wheel, and then,

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

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Take It Or

occasional burst of

the mastermind behind the gathering, spotted Eric’s arrival and made his

against the plush sofa, unconcerned.

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

nudged Eric with his elbow, his tone teasing. “Come on, tell

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