?Chapter 185:


    Hadley gasped for air, feeling her windpipe constrict under the brutal hold. Intense pain shot through her neck as her surroundings began to blur. Her vision swirled, and her thoughts grew foggy.


    It dawned on her then—this was no mere outburst. Vera was truly intent on killing her.


    No—she couldn’t let herself be killed.


    Desperately, she silently pleaded for rescue.


    As darkness began to im her, Hadley glimpsed Vera’s insane smile.


    “Can’t breathe? Then let’s just get it over with! You think you cantch onto my father and live an easy life? Did you ever stop to think that the money he spends on you belongs to me? What a joke!”


    Her voice grew distant, and Hadley resignedly thought, So, this is how I go…


    “Release her!”


    On the brink of losing consciousness, a burst of motion caught Hadley’s attention—a towering, formidable figure. Eric. His face was a storm of anger, his presence overpowering.


    He moved swiftly, grabbing Vera’s wrist in a firm, almost effortless grasp.


    “Ah—!” Vera’s cry pierced the air as she abruptly released her hold.


    Suddenly, Hadley could breathe again. Air rushed back into her lungs, triggering a harsh bout of coughing as she gasped and clutched her neck, her body trembling violently.


    She lost her strength and slumped to the floor.


    “Hadley!”


    Worry and fury etched deep into Eric’s expression.


    He quickly lifted her into his arms, cradling her gently. He soothed her with a soft pat on the cheek. “Are you alright?”


    Hadley could only shake her head, still struggling for breath.


    Eric’s gaze snapped to Vera, his eyes a storm of dark fury.


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    “How could you harm her?” His tone was as sharp as frost. “Unable to control your disgraceful father, yoush out at an innocent woman instead?”


    Vera recoiled but retorted sharply, “And who might you be? Just another one of her admirers? Figures. Men like you thrive on humiliation.”


    Eric’sugh was bitter, his grip tightening around Hadley as he held her closer.


    “Had you not been a woman,” he said bluntly, “do you think you’d still be able to stand before me, hurling insults?”


    Vera stood motionless. His voice was even, but the threat in it was undeniable.


    “Disappear, now!” hemanded, his temper ring. His voice dropped into a threatening rumble, heavy with revulsion. “Leave before I forget my restraint when ites to violence against women.”


    Vera’s courage wavered, her voice shaky. “You… Okay! But this isn’t over!”


    She no longer dared to retort. Casting a final resentful look, she hurried to her feet and fled.


    Eric’s attention returned to Hadley, cradled in his arms, her…


    Complexion was ghostly, and Eric’s concern deepened as he looked at her. “Hadley, can you tell me how you’re doing?”


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