?Chapter 202:


    Hadley turned to face him, but he was already looking away, his expression carefully controlled.


    Still, something about the moment unsettled her. She ran a hand through her hair, trying to shake off the feeling.


    The silence between them thickened with each passing second.


    Hoping to break the tension, she forced augh. “Well… how does it look?”


    Eric blinked, momentarily caught off guard. His gaze sharpened, studying her as though seeing something new.


    Hadley instantly regretted asking. Why had she said that? The question felt silly now, hanging awkwardly in the air.


    “Hadley? Are you finished?”


    N’s voice floated in from outside the walk-in closet—a much-needed lifeline.


    “N!” Hadley practically lunged for the door. “Yeah, I’m done!” But just as her fingers brushed the handle, a deep voice rumbled through the quiet.


    “It’s stunning.”


    Eric had finally spoken.


    Hadley froze but refused to turn around. Instead, she quickened her pace and slipped out the door.


    Behind her, Eric remained still, his Adam’s apple dipping as he muttered under his breath, “Truly stunning.”


    Outside, N’s eyes flicked over Hadley’s flushed face. Her brow arched.


    “What’s with you?” she asked. “Why are you so red?”


    “What?”


    Hadley felt the heat on her cheeks intensify. Had it been that obvious?


    She licked her lips, suddenly self-conscious. “It’s nothing. I had trouble with my zipper earlier, and it… just threw me off.”


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    N let out a lightugh. “That’s it? So, did you manage to zip it up? Need some help?”


    “No, I’m good! Got it sorted!” Hadley responded quickly.


    “Great. Perfect timing—Kira wants us to taste-test the dishes. You in?”


    “My pleasure!” Hadley nodded eagerly, weing the distraction. If N ever found out she’d been alone with Eric in the walk-in closet, there’d be no way to exin it.


    “Let’s go!” N grinned.


    As they headed off, Eric stepped out of the closet, running a hand over his forehead. He stared at the door, still puzzled. Why had Hadley bolted like that?


    “Was she really that afraid of Grandma finding us together?”


    Night settled over the city.


    Unlike the intimate wee gathering weeks ago, tonight’s celebration was a spectacle. The Flynn Mansion, sprawling and opulent, easily amodated the flood of guests. A quick scan of the crowd confirmed it—nearly every influential family in the city had shown up, many bringing their entire households. The grandeur was undeniable. The invitations had been clear: avish birthday banquet for Hadley, the adopted daughter of the Flynn family.


    Yet, at that moment, Hadley remained in her room.


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