?Chapter 255:


    “Marshall.” Eric’s expression hardened in an instant. He looked over at Barrie, who seemed also amused by the exchange, and his voice took on a stern edge. “I’m going to say this onest time—Linda is my sister-inw, nothing more. I don’t want to hear another joke about her.”


    There was a distinct change in his tone.


    What was this all about?


    They had often joked about this, yet Eric had never shown such irritation before.


    Marshall and Barrie realized Eric was entirely serious. Pushing him further would surely make him snap.


    “Understood.”


    “Alright, noted.”


    With a nod of approval, Eric’s features softened. “I’ll be leaving now.”


    “Hold on, who’s the mystery person? Have you found someone special?”


    “Why not introduce her to us?”


    “Come on, share the details!”


    As he departed, Eric dismissed them with a wave. “Perhaps some other time.”


    “He’s definitely seeing someone, isn’t he?”


    “It makes sense now why he didn’t want us joking about Linda—he has someone important in his life.”


    In a dim corner, Denver held his beer tightly and took a deep, reflective drink.


    Hadley was browsing job listings on her phone when she heard a knock.


    Having been let go from Gnt, she was urgently in need of new employment.


    “Who is it?”


    She set her phone down and moved to answer the door.


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    Barely having time to react, she saw a long leg cross her threshold. Eric walked in confidently, one hand carrying a bag and the other flinging his suit jacket in her direction.


    Hadley caught the jacket reflexively. Why had hee back?


    Eric moved through her apartment as if it were his own, setting the bag on the multipurpose table where she dined, read, and even applied makeup.


    “Come over here.” He began to unpack the bag. “Didn’t you go out today? What have you been up to all by yourself?”


    Hadley was clearly irritated but restrained herself fromshing out. She merely gave him a sharp look. “Nothing. Just watching some TV shows.”


    An outdated TV, left behind by thendlord, buzzed quietly in the background, more for noise than for viewing.


    “What shows?”


    Eric’s eyes shifted towards the screen.


    On disy was a reality show featuring a row of men in swim trunks, shirtless.


    His expression turned sour immediately.


    Was she actually interested in this show?


    “Do you like watching this?” His tone lowered, eyes narrowing slightly. Hadley, not catching the edge in his voice, nodded without much thought. “Yes.”


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