?Chapter 242:


    Hadley stilled, caught off guard. Was he really that far gone? Holding onto her like this, right in front of Linda, like it meant nothing? Did he not care how Linda would take it?


    “Fine. Won’t be my problem anyway,” Hadley thought.


    If this blew up in his faceter, he had no one to me but himself. Hadley turned her head, her expression locking into something unreadable.


    Eric, apparently satisfied, turned his attention back to Linda. His voice was smooth, effortless. “Hadley and I just grabbed dinner. What about you?”


    Linda hesitated before gesturing toward one of the private rooms. “Your film crew is having a get-together.”


    But her mind was elsewhere. Since when did Hadley and Eric casually go out to dinner?


    Still, she kept her expression pleasant. “The director and producers are here too. Want to say hello?”


    “No need for that.” Eric’s smile was rxed but distant. “It’s your crew’s event. I wouldn’t want to intrude.”


    “Oh… alright.” Linda’s smile wavered for just a second. “Okay then…”


    Eric dipped his head in a slight nod. “You should go back and join them.”


    “Alright.” Linda pressed her lips together, casting onest nce at Hadley before turning away.


    But she didn’t leave. Not really. Instead, she stopped just around the corner, lingering in sight, watching.


    Hadley frowned. That was it? Eric actually let Linda walk away that easily? But from the hesitation in Linda’s eyes, it was obvious—she hadn’t wanted to go.


    Had they argued before this? Was that why he was giving her the cold shoulder?


    “What’s on your mind?” Eric’s voice broke through her thoughts. Still draped over her, he mumbled sleepily, “Go take care of the bill for me.”


    Hadley blinked. “Uh… okay.”


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    Hadley blinked, snapping back into focus, and nodded. “Where’s your wallet?”


    “In my pocket,” Eric muttered, making no effort to move.


    Then he wentpletely ck, his weight pressing into her like he was seconds from passing out.


    She stared at him, dumbfounded. Was he seriously expecting her to dig through his pockets?


    Unbelievable! But if that was what it took to get this over with… fine. Biting her lip, Hadley hesitated before turning slightly and slipping her hand into his suit pocket.


    Left side—nothing. She shifted, slipping her hand into the right—still empty.


    “It’s not in your pockets.” She lifted her gaze to him, eyes clear and searching.


    A low, amused chuckle tickled her ear. Eric’s voice came slow and teasing. “Try the inner pockets.”


    The inner pockets?


    Hadley knew suits had them, but was he seriously expecting her to dig inside his jacket? That meant getting way too close—her hands practically brushing against his chest.


    Her fingers hesitated midair, irritation flickering across her face. “Come on,” Eric prodded, his tonezy. “Unless you’d rather let everyone think I skipped out on the bill?”


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