?Chapter 190:


    “Hadley!” Eric’s voice was fierce, his patience worn thin. He grabbed her wrist and pulled sharply. “If you make a move to follow him, you’ll regret it!”


    She was absolutely maddening!


    Frustrated, he yanked at his tie and pulled her back inside with him. The door mmed shut with a loud thud.


    Hadley couldn’t pinpoint exactly what had triggered him this time. With her throat aching, debating was out of the question, so she merely turned her head away, ignoring his presence.


    “Hah.” Eric’sugh was biting, devoid of amusement. He grabbed her chin, forcing her to face him.


    His expression was stern, his eyes sharp with fierce scrutiny. “Who are you pouting for? Don’t tell me… you’ve fallen for that old man?”


    Hadley’s irritation surged as she met his gaze with a fierce look. What did he understand about her feelings?


    He was clueless about her struggles, yet he kept interfering! With a defiant lift of her chin, she whispered hoarsely, “Yes. I like him.”


    Eric froze, taken aback by her admission.


    “Are you out of your mind?” His tone was one of disbelief. “That old man? What’s there to like? His age? Are you so desperate for a father figure, Hadley?”


    Fury contorted Hadley’s face. “It’s… none… of your… concern!”


    Eric instantly regretted his words.


    She had lost her parents early in life, and the one thing she trulycked was the affection of a family. And now he was attacking her with it?


    For the first time, regret washed over Eric, stirring a desire to retract his harshments. Yet, apologizing was foreign to him—especially to someone like Hadley, toward whom his feelings had always been less than favorable.


    The apology stuck in his throat.


    “Leave… now!”


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    Hadley was beyond caring about his regrets. She couldn’t even bring herself to nce at him, let alone share the same space.


    With a forceful push, she thrust her arms against his chest, guiding him toward the exit. “Just… leave!”


    Perhaps driven by guilt or a sudden realization that he had crossed a line, Eric didn’t resist this time. He allowed Hadley to push him out the door.


    With a loud bang, the door mmed firmly in his face, narrowly missing his nose.


    Eric touched the bridge of his nose, muttering, “Quite lively, isn’t she…” But really—she had feelings for Duran?


    Was it possible that her desire for paternal affection was what had attracted her to older men?


    No, that couldn’t be right. Eric dismissed the thought with a shake of his head.


    After all, Hadley had once harbored feelings for him, loving him deeply for years.


    It seemed imusible that she would shift her affections from him to someone like Duran. She must be confused, still young, and too easily misled.


    Yes, that had to be the only exnation.


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