?Chapter 142:


    With a sneer, he seized Lennon’s shoulder and shoved him aside.


    “Out of my way! Unless you want me to tear this ce apart, I suggest you don’t test me!”


    Without waiting for a response, he reached for Hadley, locking his fingers around her slender wrist.


    The moment their skin touched, something dark flickered in his gaze. Her skin was smooth, like untouched silk beneath his grip.


    “Now this is nice,” he mused. “Come along with me!”


    He tightened his hold, intent on dragging her away.


    “No! No!”


    Hadley’s carefully heldposure shattered at the man’s touch. “Let go of me!”


    She fought against his grip with every ounce of strength she had. Cody’s head snapped toward her, his face twisting in irritation.


    “You’re just a performer, and yet you dare raise your voice at me?”


    “I said, let go!” Hadley’s voice rang out again,ced with defiance despite the tremor in it.


    Their struggle intensified, and in the scuffle, Hadley lost her footing and crashed onto the floor.


    Cody, his ego bruised and temper ring, tightened his grip and started dragging her toward the door.


    “I’m not letting go. Whether you like it or not, you’reing with me today!”


    “Ah!” Hadley screamed in terror.


    Nheless, he yanked her forward with brute force.


    Hadley trembled uncontrobly, her voice cracking as she cried out, “Let go of me! Let go!”


    The entire room stood frozen in shock.


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    “Mr. Lewis! Do something!”


    “Damn!” Lennon had not expected the situation to spiral out of control so quickly. “I’ll call security right now! Hadley, just hold on!”


    “What should we do? Should we step in?”


    “But Cody is not someone you want to cross.”


    “Look at him! If we interfere, we might end up in trouble ourselves!”


    Hadley’s gasping sobs grew louder.


    Her wrist had gone numb under Cody’s crushing grip, her body locked in a rigid state of fear, and her breath came in short, uneven bursts.


    “Look!”


    “S doesn’t look good!”


    “Step aside.”


    Eric’s voice cut through themotion like a de—calm, precise, and brimming with authority. He didn’t need to raise it. The weight of his words alonemanded attention. In the crowd, recognition sparked instantly.


    “Mr. Flynn?”


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