?Chapter 225:


    Really?


    Linda sensed that Eric was only bringing up Ernest to tone down what he had said earlier.


    Choosing not to address this directly, she simply smiled. “Thanks, I’ll try to slow down a bit.”


    The remainder of their journey passed quietly.


    As they arrived at the event venue, they saw it was packed, so Eric stayed in the car.


    “I’m heading in,” Linda said, slipping on her sunsses and mask as she prepared to leave.


    “Linda…” Eric called out to her unexpectedly.


    Turning in surprise, Linda responded, “Yes? What is it?”


    “It’s nothing…” Eric hesitated, initially wanting to bring up Ernest’s improvement but opting to hold back until a more appropriate time. “Just make sure you eat well and try to rest when you can.”


    “Got it,” Linda replied with a mischievous grin. “Aren’t you a bit young to be fussing like a concerned parent?”


    Despite her words, her response was warm and free of irritation. Once Linda was dropped off, Eric’s phone rang with a call from Marshall.


    “Where are you right now, Eric?”


    “What’s going on?”


    “Are you headed to Gnt tonight? We haven’t all been together in a while.”


    A small smile appeared on Eric’s face. “Who else ising?”


    With augh, Marshall responded, “Go ahead, guess. It’s just the usual suspects—me, you, Bame, and Denver’sing along too.”


    Eric’s face momentarily stiffened. “Okay.”


    He had already intended to go, but knowing Denver would be there made his attendance feel even more necessary.


    When Eric arrived at Gnt, he found Marshall and the others already immersed inughter.


    “What’s so funny?” Eric inquired as he settled into his chair, casting a nce toward Denver. “Looks like I missed something good.”


    Denver coughed awkwardly under Eric’s scrutiny. Since learning that Hadley was Eric’s former wife, Denver had always felt a bit tense around him.


    “Hello, Eric.”


    “Mm-hm,” Eric responded, nodding slightly while maintaining a neutral expression.


    Denver seemed tense, and Eric decided to keep a careful watch on him for the evening.


    Backstage, Hadley received a delivery.


    “What is it?”


    A colleague of Hadley’s joked, “Did Mr. Flynn drop off another surprise for you?”


    “Exactly! He keeps sending these gifts, but he doesn’t even know us. He really shouldn’t spoil us like that!” Hadley offered a smile but chose not to respond.


    Her gut feeling told her that this gesture wasn’t Eric’s doing.


    Inside the takeout bag was a container filled with warm, creamy pumpkin soup.


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