?Chapter 351:


    From the moment they left the private lounge, she hadn’t resisted, walking beside Eric in silence. Bit by bit, she had managed to steady her breathing, pulling herself together. Then, just as she was about to speak—


    “You…”


    Eric suddenly spun around, lifting a finger and pointing it straight at her. “You got yourself kicked out of the troupe, and now you think you can just waltz into ces…”


    “Like this? Do you have the slightest clue what kind of world you’re stepping into?” His voice was sharp,ced with frustration.


    If Eric hadn’t been there when he was, Wayne had more than enough ways to impose his will on a woman. Hadley would have faced real danger.


    Hadley bowed her head without saying a word.


    She was grateful that Eric had stepped in, but there was nothing left for her to say. He had been right there. He had witnessed everything with his own eyes.


    Eric had been prepared to say more, ready to lecture her for what had happened, but before a single word could leave his mouth, his attention was drawn to the crimson streaks trailing down her fingers. His chest grew tight. “Why do you keep making me worry like this?” He took a step forward, trying to get a closer look at her hand.


    “Does it hurt? Let me see.”


    But before he could, Hadley jerked her hand away, unwilling to let him examine it.


    Eric’s expression darkened in an instant. “You won’t even let me take a look? Do you think I do this because I enjoy sticking my nose in your business?”


    His voice was sharp, edged with frustration. “Fine. If that’s what you want, then I won’t bother anymore!”


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    He turned on his heel, fully intending to leave.


    But before he could take more than a few steps, something made him stop. Letting out a slow breath, he nced back at her, his voice no longer holding the same bite. “I shouldn’t have spoken to you like that.” She had already been through enough.


    He motioned toward her bleeding hand, this time speaking with a steadiness that left no room for argument. “You need to have that taken care of. You understand that, don’t you?”


    Eric observed Hadley’s demeanor and tentatively reached for her hand.


    Once again, Hadley pulled away from his touch.


    “Really, Hadley?” Eric’s frustration was clear. “Do you think I came here to hurt you?”


    “No, not at all…”


    Hadley gently shook her head, raising her bandaged hand to reassure Eric that she was okay.


    The moment he looked away, she quickly wrapped her injured hand in a handkerchief, regaining herposure. When she faced him again, his expression was still clouded with concern.


    “It looks worse than it actually is,” she said, her voice calm but distant. “Thanks for helping me tonight.”


    Eric, feeling the sting of her continued avoidance, didn’t let his frustration escte this time. Instead, a sense of helplessness washed over him, but he remained firm, determined not to leave her alone.


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