?Chapter 157:


    “Thanks.” Adjusting the strap of her bag, she followed the staff member inside.


    The interior was dimly lit, and the air carried a faint scent of expensive cologne and aged whiskey. It was her first time in a ce like this, and despite being led in, she couldn’t shake the feeling that she didn’t quite belong here.


    As she walked down the hallway, a door ahead suddenly swung open. Before she could react, someone stepped out, and she walked straight into them.


    “Sorry!” The apology left her lips instinctively.


    “No prob—”


    The man started to brush it off, but the moment he saw Hadley, his words cut short. Holding his phone in one hand, the man squinted his eyes. “Hadley?”


    Hadley froze for a moment, caughtpletely off guard. Of all people, why did it have to be him?


    “Why are you even here?”


    Under the dim lights, Eric’s expression shifted almost immediately. His eyes darkened, suspicion shing across his face.


    Hadley almostughed. “What? You cane here, but I can’t? Or is there some rule saying I’m not allowed?”


    “Hadley!”


    “You don’t need to concern yourself with my business.”


    She had no patience for a pointless back-and-forth. “I have somewhere to be. I’m leaving.”


    The staff member who had been guiding her remained nearby, waiting.


    “Apologies for the dy.” Hadley picked up her pace, moving past Eric without another nce.


    “There’s no rush,” the staff member assured her with a polite nod.


    Eric stood rooted in ce, watching as she disappeared around the corner. His fingers curled into fists before he shoved his phone into his pocket, his frustration bubbling over. She didn’t want him interfering? Fine. He wouldn’t.


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    Why should he even care?


    But back in the private room, Eric couldn’t rx. His mind was…


    Elsewhere, it didn’t go unnoticed.


    Marshall and Barrie exchanged nces before speaking up.


    “What’s with you, man?”


    “Don’t tell me it’s about Linda again?”


    Normally, Eric brushed off their teasing with little more than a smirk, but this time, he barely reacted. Instead, he turned to them with a question. “If a womanes here, what could she possibly be here for?”


    Marshall and Barrie looked at each other.


    “Depends on what kind of woman you’re talking about.”


    This club catered to all sorts. Some came for business, like the three of them. Others, though, had entirely different reasons. But many came for reasons they’d rather keep under wraps. The reason? Discretion was the club’s biggest selling point.


    Eric’s brow furrowed, and he muttered, almost to himself, “A dancer?”


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