?Chapter 102:


    Marshall’s presence here wasn’t really surprising, given the connections between the Flynn and Myers families.


    “Mr. Myers.”


    “Why so formal? Just Marshall will do.”


    Adjusting a lock of hair behind her ear, Hadley nodded. “Marshall.”


    “That’s more like it.”


    Marshall noted the time. “It’ste, and there are no buses now. What brings you out here?”


    Before Hadley could answer, Marshall gestured for her to join him.


    “Get in,” he suggested. “I’ll give you a ride.”


    “Thanks,” Hadley said, climbing into the car without protest. As they drove, Hadley briefed Marshall on the events, her voiceden with regret.


    “Had I known it would turn out this way, I wouldn’t have stayed for—”


    “Okay?”


    “Okay,” Hadley responded.


    Before she could continue, Marshall hurried off.


    Perhaps because Marshall was Eric’s friend, Hadley felt a sense of relief in his absence. She ate voraciously.


    Finishing her drink, she mistakenly grabbed Marshall’s ss, assuming it was water.


    Upon taking arge gulp, she choked on the spicy, fiery liquid. “What is this?” she coughed out, her expression contorted. “It’s so spicy!”


    It dawned on her then—she had unwittingly downed a strong liquor. Deciding to stick to her own food and beverages, she avoided Marshall’s drink thereafter.


    Finishing her meal, Hadley soon felt the effects of the alcohol, her cheeks flushed.


    “What should I do tonight?” she wondered aloud.


    ???????? ???????????????? ???????? ???????? ????: g???????ν?????????????


    Staying at the hotel was not feasible due to the high cost.


    Bag over her shoulder, Hadley walked to the lobby and found some sofas.


    She decided to camp out there for the night, drawing on her past experience with overnight shifts at a supermarket.


    This time, however, the impact of the alcohol was more severe than she anticipated.


    Her head spun and her eyelids felt heavy, leading her to slump on the sofa in a daze, only half-aware.


    Her heart raced, keeping her from fully resting.


    “This is tough,” Hadley thought bleakly, her head throbbing.


    Suddenly, she sneezed, further disorienting herself.


    Located in the mountains, the Linacre Lake area was briskly cold at night. Hadley, dozing off on the sofa, shivered and felt unwell from the chill.


    “Achoo, achoo!” Her sneezing echoed in the lobby as Eric and Marshall entered, returning from their meeting.


    Both nced over and noticed Hadley slumped on the sofa.


    “Oh man!” Marshall eximed, a hint of guilt coloring his tone. “I got so caught up in work, Ipletely forgot about Hadley!”


    .


    .


    .