?Chapter 239:


    Before long, he set aside his papers, looked up, and rose from his desk.


    He then made his way toward her.


    Instinctively, Hadley began to rise from her seat.


    “Stay seated,” he instructed, motioning for her to remain where she was.


    “There’s no need to stand,” he added as he took a seat opposite her, casually resting an arm on the back of the sofa.


    Looking directly at her, he inquired, “What brings you here? What’s on your mind?”


    Shouldn’t he have known?


    Her fingers nervously intertwined in herp, tightly clenched. “I need to know why you’ve barred me from dancing at Gnt.”


    Heughed softly just as she finished speaking.


    Hadley was stunned into stillness by his reaction.


    Eric’s gaze intensified. “Why? Because I was turned down, and frankly, I’m not pleased about it.”


    She caught her breath sharply.


    It was as she suspected.


    He had canceled her performances because she hadn’t yielded to his demands.


    Nothing had changed; he was as upromising as ever.


    And the hardest part was her own helplessness in the situation. Here was Eric, the man who held sway over all of Srixby.


    With great effort, Hadley suppressed her rising anger and disappointment, her lips pressed tightly together.


    “I misunderstood the situation. It’s my fault. I apologize…”


    “There’s no need for apologies,” Eric responded.


    He straightened up, leaning in closer, his piercing gaze locking onto hers. “What I’m really after is you.”


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    His statement was clear and incisive, slicing through the tension.


    Hadley tensed, feeling a sharp twist in her heart.


    She stumbled over her words.


    “Stop.”


    Before she could continue, he interrupted.


    He had to prevent her from finishing.


    Eric grasped her thoughts effortlessly. “Are you sure you want to refuse me again?”


    Hadley’s response halted in her throat.


    Of course, she couldn’t afford to.


    Recalling how her previous refusal had cost her a job at Gnt, she feared what might follow another denial.


    Remaining silent was her only option for now.


    Herck of response didn’t satisfy Eric, but it was preferable to her defiance. At least she retained a sense of caution.


    Eric checked his watch, a subtle smile appearing. “It’s gettingte. I could use something to eat.” He rose to his feet and faced Hadley.


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