?Chapter 131:


    “Absurd!” Eric retorted instantly. “Didn’t I provide a house? Didn’t I offer alimony? And now you’re telling me this is all you can afford?”


    “That’s your money, your property,” Hadley responded crisply. “I have no part in it.”


    Eric, taken aback, asked, “What was that?”


    Hadley offered a slight smile. “I made it clear when I signed the divorce papers. I wouldn’t ept anything from the Flynn family. And I meant every word.”


    During her toughest times, she had abandoned her dignity and begged for his help, but it never came her way. Now that she was doing well, she certainly wouldn’t take anything from him ever again.


    Eric recalled a conversation with Cristian, who mentioned that she hadn’t yet visited thew firm toplete the property transfer.


    “Is this really your n?” Confusion marred Eric’s face, suspecting a new scheme of hers.


    “It’s quite straightforward.” Looking up to meet his gaze due to their height difference, she smiled subtly. “Now that we’re divorced, Eric, I will manage my life independently.”


    “Manage alone?” Eric scoffed dismissively. “Like this? In this slum?”


    “Slum?” With a muted smirk, Hadley replied, “Perhaps to you, it’s a…”


    “Slum.”


    For her, this was already a nice apartment. She had endured far worse conditions in the, even sleeping on the streets for a while.


    “Whatever.” Eric, losing patience with the conversation,manded, “Pack your things. You’re leaving with me now.”


    “What?” Startled by his irrational demand, Hadley protested, “Leave? This is my home. I’m staying.”


    “Hadley!”


    Eric’s look was intense and full of exasperation, frustrated by her continual rejections.


    “Do you think I’m here to coddle you? I’m doing this for Grandma.”


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    At that moment, Hadley recalled something important. N had instructed Eric to support her as he would his own sister, tied to the condition of agreeing to their divorce.


    Realizing she understood, Eric urged, “Let’s go, pack up now!”


    “No.” Hadley remained firm in her refusal.


    “Hadley?” His patience thinning, Eric pressed, “What do you really want?”


    Exhaling deeply, Hadley replied calmly, “Eric, didn’t N ask you to ensure I was alright? Just observe how well I manage on my own. Will you let me handle my affairs?”


    “Let you handle your affairs?” Eric looked at her skeptically. “Be realistic, Hadley. You’ve been under our care since you were fifteen—”


    “That’s long past.” Interrupting him sharply, Hadley stated, “I appreciate everything the Flynn family has done for me, Eric, but trust me. I am capable of taking care of myself now. I’m no longer the parasite youbelled me.”


    “A parasite?” Eric’s brow creased with irritation. “When did I ever call you that, Hadley?” Yet, wasn’t it the truth?


    For someone of his stature, dismissing others was effortless.


    Hadley felt a chill, but she dismissed it, affirming, “I’m settled here, Eric. I’m not going anywhere.”


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