?Chapter 28:


    “Linda, Eric.” N nced past them, questioning, “Where is Hadley?”


    Eric paused, his expression troubled.


    “N.” Linda stepped in, lowering her voice. “Hadley’s a bit under the weather. She’ll be here soon.”


    “Really?” Concern creased N’s brow. “Is it anything serious?”


    Linda offered a reassuring smile. “She just needs a short break. We should get the party going. The guests are waiting.”


    “Alright, then.”


    N decided not to dy any further.


    “Sorry for the inconvenience, everyone. Hadley needs to rest for a while. Let’s go ahead and start the party.”


    The partymenced with Eric and Linda contributing to the vibrant discussions.


    Upon her return in different attire, Hadley caught N off guard.


    “Hadley, what prompted this outfit choice?”


    Hadley was now wearing a casual skirt that entuated her long legs, contrasting sharply with the formal attire of the other female guests.


    “N!”


    Before Hadley could borate, Linda interjected,


    “Earlier, Hadley had a mishap with her dress, so I offered her something from my wardrobe.”


    While exining, Linda discreetly signaled Hadley to remain silent about the real reason.


    Eric, positioned just behind Linda, picked up on her subtle hint and leaned in to whisper to Hadley.


    His whisper was soft, meant only for their ears.


    “Follow Linda’s lead. Remember, you owe her that much.”


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    Hadley stiffened suddenly. She knew Eric was alluding to an incident from four years earlier…


    Indeed, in his perspective, she remained deeply wed.


    Hadley gave a small smile and gently pulled her arm back, quietly going along with what they wanted.


    “I admit, it was my own carelessness.”


    N exhaled a worried sigh.


    “How could you be so careless? Introducing you is now a dilemma. It’s not merely about people misjudging my oversight. It alsoes across as disrespectful. How do you n to mingle with them now?”


    She then addressed Eric.


    “Isn’t there a spare dress for her? This attire isn’t suitable.”


    “N.”


    Before Eric could offer a solution, Hadley intervened with a reassuring smile.


    “It’s alright. If itplicates things, let’s skip the introductions.”


    “What?” N’s confusion was evident.


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