?Chapter 399:


    “Redmarsh.”


    He remembered this ce.


    A quiet hum left his lips as he tapped the steering wheel, and then, without hesitation, he turned the car around and headed toward Poseidon’s Realm.


    The private room was lively tonight—filled with the low murmur of conversation, the clinking of sses, and the asional burst ofughter.


    Barrie, the mastermind behind the gathering, spotted Eric’s arrival and made his way over.


    “You actually showed up? Thought you’d bail.”


    Eric merely leaned back against the plush sofa, unconcerned.


    “Mm.”


    “Oh!” Barrie raised a brow, then smirked knowingly. “Well, someone’s in a good mood tonight.”


    He nudged Eric with his elbow, his tone teasing.


    “Come on, tell me—does this have anything to do with Hadley and Denver not working out?”


    Eric nearly choked on his drink, eyes narrowing as he shot Barrie a sharp re.


    “What kind of nonsense are you spouting?”


    Barrie only grinned.


    “Deny it all you want, but your face says otherwise.”


    He could’ve pushed further, but he knew when to back off.


    Instead, Barrie shrugged, casually adding,


    “Listen, if you actually have feelings for her, this is your chance. Don’t overthink it. Just go for it.”


    With that, Barrie stood and wandered off, leaving Eric alone in his seat.


    Could this really be his chance?


    Maybe… just maybe, it wouldn’t hurt to give it a try.


    Dawn broke over the city.


    Hadley ran a brush through her hair, lost in thought, when Elissa walked past—only to stop mid-step and double back.


    “Hadley?”


    Hadley nced up, puzzled.


    “What’s up?”


    Elissa didn’t respond right away. Instead, she bent down and picked something up from beside the sink. With a slight frown, she held it out.


    “This…” she murmured, turning the delicate pearl hair tie between her fingers.


    “Is this yours?”


    “Yeah, it is,” Hadley said easily, but Elissa’s expression gave her pause.


    “Why?”


    “It’s just that…” Elissa hesitated, her curiosity getting the better of her.


    “Hadley, don’t take this the wrong way—I don’t mean anything by it. But… this doesn’t really seem like something you’d buy for yourself.”


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