?Chapter 158:


    Barrie let out a knowing chuckle.


    “A dancer, huh? Come on, Eric, don’t y dumb.”


    Marshall shot Barrie a warning look, and Barrie quickly caught on.


    Everyone knew Eric had seemed infatuated with a dancer from Gnt, buttely, he hadn’t been seen anywhere near that club. Barrie cleared his throat and rephrased. “You mean that dancer is here?”


    “What else would she be up to?” Eric leaned back, his voice tight. “If you’re not the one covering her tab, someone else will. The girls from Gnt almost all end up on the same path eventually.”


    Eric’s grip tightened on his ss. Hadley had mentioned she was here to meet someone. It couldn’t possibly be business, could it?


    That thought alone made something snap inside him.


    “Hey! Where are you running off to?”


    “I’m getting her out of here!” Eric’s voice was firm, resolute. He had no choice. He couldn’t just stand by and let this happen. Hadley was still legally his wife. They hadn’t even finalized the divorce yet. If he let this slide, people wouldugh him out of town.


    Marshall and Barrie quickly followed, exchanging silent nces as they hurried after him.


    At the reception desk, Eric’s presence alone made the receptionist tense.


    “Mr. Flynn.” Her voice was wary, almost pleading. “Please don’t make this difficult for us. You know we can’t disclose guest information. If I do, I’m out of a job.”


    That wasn’t the only issue. This ce thrived on secrets. If even one got out, the entire business could crumble. The things concealed within these walls were far from trivial. A single slip, and the entire foundation of trust would copse.


    Inside the private lounge, Hadley sat across from the man, who had been silently observing her since her arrival. His gaze never faltered, fixed on her as though he were searching for something.


    “Hadley, this is the third time we’ve crossed paths. That day at Kingsbridge—you were there to see your grandmother, weren’t you? You wore a mask then…”


    Hadley cut him off, her tone firm but calm. “That’s not why I came.” She met his eyes, unwavering. “Let’s not waste time. You said you’d bring the money. Do you have it?”


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    The man nodded, his response deliberate. “I do.”


    His fingers drummed lightly on the table, but he made no move to hand over the money. “I’ll give it to you, but… it’s been years. You disappeared without a word, left the country, cut everyone off. How have you been? And you and Eric—”


    “Don’t.”


    Her voice was steady, but the sharpness beneath it was clear.


    She locked eyes with him, unflinching. “Do you really think you have the right to ask me that?”


    He hesitated, then spoke again, his voice softer. “Why not? Hadley, I still care about you. You and Eric—”


    “Care?”


    Hadley let out a harsh, bitterugh. “Now you care? After all this time?” There had been a time in her life when she needed help the most. Where was he then? Words of concern that came only after the damage was done meant nothing.


    The man sat in silence, his expression tightening with a mix of regret. “I won’t deny that I let you down. But at least tell me this—why do you need so much money? What happened? Is Eric giving you trouble?”


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