?Chapter 114:


    “Hey…” Eric called after her, unwilling to let her vanish so easily.


    “Mr. Flynn!”


    Just in the nick of time, Lennon swooped in, his arm darting out to block Eric’s path with urgency.


    “Mr. Flynn, we had a deal, didn’t we? Thepetition’s still in full swing! Sure, the final toast is all yours, but we’ve got to keep things above board for now, right? Can you hold your horses just a bit longer?”


    “Step aside already!”


    Eric was ready to brush past Lennon, his patience wearing thin. But before he could push him out of the way, he caught sight of her—Hadley turning back around.


    She lifted a delicate hand to the edge of her mask.


    For a heartbeat, Eric’s pulse raced.


    Was she about to reveal herself?


    Yet, she didn’t.


    Instead, she nudged the mask ever so slightly and let out a yful giggle.


    Then, she spun around and darted off.


    Eric stood rooted to the spot, a swirl of amusement and frustration bubbling within him.


    “Is she ying me for a fool?” he mused.


    He had to hand it to her—she was skilled at this game.


    That tiny gesture had him hooked like a fish on a line. Suddenly, the urgency to chase her down melted away.


    This was turning into quite the intriguing situation.


    Eric’s curiosity burned brighter, and he couldn’t help but wonder what secretsy beneath that mask. Was she worth all this trouble and expense?


    “Mr. Flynn?” Lennon’s voice cut through Eric’s reverie, his hand waving in front of Eric’s face like a pesky fly. “You alright? Had a bit too much to drink? Need a hand?”


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    “Stop it.” Eric snapped back to the present, giving Lennon a quick p on the shoulder. “Cut the drama. I’ll show her respect. If she is not ready to show her face, I’ll wait.”


    “You’re a true gentleman, sir.” Lennon’s face lit up, a grin spreading wide as if he had just struck gold.


    As soon as Eric turned to leave, Lennon scurried off to find Hadley.


    “Hadley, did you see that fine fe? That is the sponsor!”


    Lennon was practically buzzing with excitement. “I told you—he is the real deal, pockets deeper than the ocean and a face to match! With him in your corner, what is there to worry about?”


    Some cards Lennon still held close to his chest. The toast after the championship was merely the opening act.


    Plenty of dancers at Gnt ended up entwined with Srixby’s elite. But Lennon figured that wasn’t Hadley’s aim—at least, not yet.


    Hadley offered a polite smile, though inside, she sighed. “He is in for a rude awakening.”


    By the light of day, Hadley made her way to the sanatorium, a ritual she had carved out amidst her bustling routine.


    N still couldn’t wrangle a proper bath, so Hadley took it upon herself to swing by each day. She would help scrub away the grime and slip N into crisp, fresh clothes with a tenderness that spoke volumes.


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