Chapter 167 Why Are You

Here

Eric frowned. Hadley had been in the restroom too long. A gnawing unease settled in his chest, pushing him to check on her.

Through the door, her voice was sharp, accusing him of something inappropriate with Linda. Then–without hesitation–she tossed the hair tie he’d given her straight into the trash.

He stood there, waiting, half–expecting her to say something. To acknowledge him.

But Hadley didn’t even spare him a glance. She stepped past him like nothing had happened.

As she moved past, he caught her wrist.

His voice was low, edged with tension. “Pick it up.”

“What?” Hadley let out a quiet laugh. “Why would I pick up something I threw away? It is disgusting.”

“Pick it up!” Eric’s voice cut through the air, sharper this time, his gaze locking onto hers with unyielding intensity. “I said, pick it up.”

“Ouch!”

Hadley flinched as his grip tightened around her wrist. She shot him a glare, yanking against his hold. “I won’t! You can’t make me!”

Her eyes burned–fierce, unwavering.

“Trash belongs where it belongs–in the trash!”

Trash?

Eric’s jaw tightened. Had she really just called the hair tie he gave her trash?

His free hand curled into fist at his side, frustration simmering beneath his skin. “That was a gift from me!”

“Ha.”

Hadley let out a sharp laugh, her sneer cutting. “You think it’s appropriate to give us both the same gift? Does Ernest know? That you gave his wife and me the exact same thing?”

She pointed at the trash can, mockery laced in every word. “I tossed it for your sake. Wouldn’t want Ernest catching on to your shady intentions and ruining his recovery, now would we?”

Eric’s fingers tightened around her wrist. Hard.

Hadley sucked in a sharp breath, her wince barely concealed. It felt like he was moments away from crushing

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the bone.

“Shady intentions?”

something even colder. “Is that what you think

I wrong?” Her voice was steady, deliberate. “It’s not about what I think. If you don’t want Ernest to lose it,

her voice sharp. “Shut up!” Without hesitation, she raised

you talk

the shock didn’t last long. Her instincts took over -her hand shot up, striking Linda just

Her

so it’s fine when you hit me,

not letting

seething, Linda

could land a blounged

rip clean

hair–yanking hard enough

It hurts! Let go!” Linda shrieked, tears brimming in

Eric rushed forward, grabbing Hadley’s wrist.

Ernest were

Hadley didn’t let go. Didn’t even flinch.

but to tighten his grip, prying Hadley’s fingers

second, and then let out a low, bitter laugh. “You two really know how to

“Hadley!”

“What?”

expression clouded with frustration. His

I’m that contemptible?”

“What’s wrong? The truth too much for you? Or are you just too much of a coward to face it, Mr.

“Hadley!”

voice dropped, low and deliberate. He gripped her chin, tilting her face up until their eyes locked. His gaze was unreadable,

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feel, why did you even say yes

turned away. Without sparing Linda a glance,

wait!” Linda scrambled after him, fingers fumbling to fix her

frozen, the moment

exhale, she knocked

purely on impulse.

she thinking? How could she have let

was shattered, how was she supposed to keep pretending with Eric?

The usual flowers he sent to the studio? They

nagging at the back of her mind–was this it? Was their arrangement over?

That much was clear. But she needed him. Joy

afford to let

her, then

worth it. But that day, frustration had won. She hadn’t been

WhatsApp and typed, “Are you busy?”

that she expected

her performance was the first

stepped out of the

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