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 pause mid–step.

flickering across her face. “Eric?” Her tone was cautious.

expression darkened instantly, irritation

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

it was–his sudden shifts in mood,

tension, Elissa glanced between them and tilted her head toward the side. “I’ll

there.”

“Mm, okay.”

stepped away. She never knew what to expect with Eric, and the last thing she wanted was to set him off–his moods shifted

kept her voice even, careful. “So? What is

“Here.”

pocket and pulled

the one

freshly

tossed it

managing to catch it before it slipped through her fingers.

even under the dim glow of the streetlights, she

isn’t mine.”

find yours.” Eric’s tone was as firm as ever. “I tried to give

uldn’t take

it.”

something rare for him–his words faltering slightly.

just bought this one. Take it or leave it.”

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Chapter 135 Take It

to process before he fixed her with an expectant

there was an odd tension behind it. “Isn’t it nice? Don’t you…

completely

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

why

With him like this,

nodding.

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

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

her smooth skin, the delicate band stood out, and for a fleeting second, something in his expression shifted–a quiet satisfaction surfacing at the

going

“Great! My friend’s waiting

gave a small nod. “Go on

“Okay.”

word, Hadley turned and jogged toward her friend.

“All settled?”

“Yeah!”

“Alright, let’s go!”

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 got back into

discreetly as possible, he followed

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

the entrance of the neighborhood. His eyes flicked to the faded sign at the intersection. “Redmarsh.”

this place.

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

tonight–filled with the low murmur of

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13:46

<

<

Take It Or Leave It

occasional burst

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

back against the plush sofa,

then smirked knowingly.

nudged Eric with his elbow, his tone teasing. “Come on, tell me–does this

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