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!”

cut through the air, sharp enough to make her

tone was cautious. “Do you… need

his expression darkened instantly, irritation flashing

here is because Grandma sent me?” His

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

and tilted her head toward the side.

there.”

“Mm, okay.”

expect with Eric, and the last thing she wanted was to set him off–his moods shifted like the wind.

careful. “So?

“Here.”

reached into his pocket and pulled out bought from Evergrand Mall.

style as the one she had left in his car,

freshly

tossed it toward

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

saw it, even under the dim glow of the streetlights, she knew. Her brows knit

isn’t mine.”

couldn’t find yours.” Eric’s tone was as firm as ever. “I tried to give

uldn’t take

it.”

for him–his words faltering

I just bought this one. Take it or

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Take It Or

had time to process before he

there was an odd tension behind it.

completely

she could even think of a response, his expression darkened. Impatient. “I’m asking you a

this about? And why was he behaving

like

nodding. “It’s nice.”

she might as well

of their value. To her, it was just a

mean much to her, but Eric’s gaze flickered to it. Against her smooth skin, the delicate band stood out, and for

get going

glanced toward Elissa. “Great! My friend’s waiting for me anyway.”

nod. “Go on ahead.”

“Okay.”

word, Hadley turned and jogged toward her

“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

as discreetly as possible,

bus rumbled through the dimly lit streets, weaving its way into an old residential district nestled in the old part of

entrance of the neighborhood. His eyes flicked to the faded sign at the

this

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

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

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Take It Or Leave

occasional burst of laughter.

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

against the plush

knowingly. “Well, someone’s in a good

elbow, his tone teasing. “Come on,

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