?Chapter 454:


    But… Eric wasn’t the type to enjoy modern dance.


    Before she could make sense of it all— Ding-dong! The doorbell rang.


    Eric’s eyes snapped open. In one swift motion, he retracted his legs from the bed’s edge and stood up, heading for the door.


    “Who is it?”


    Instead of opening it immediately, he peered through the peephole.


    His scalp tingled. Wilma. And Denver.


    His mind sharpened in an instant, piecing it together.


    That woman…


    First, she had Hadley drugged and sent a thug to corner her. Now, she had dragged Denver here—probably hoping to stage the perfect misunderstanding.


    A ruthless move from a ruthless socialite. She didn’t even hesitate to drive a knife straight into her own son’s heart.


    Eric’s jaw clenched. He turned to Hadley, still weak in bed,pletely unaware of the storm brewing on the other side of the door.


    Eric asked himself what he should do now.


    If he threw the door open now and exposed Wilma’s twisted n, Denver would understand, and his rtionship with Hadley would remain intact—maybe even stronger. But if he didn’t?


    If he yed along with Wilma’s setup…


    If he became the man who “vited” Hadley in Denver’s eyes… Wilma would still win. And Hadley and Denver would fall apart. The thought slithered into his mind like a dark whisper.


    ?????????????? ????????????? ???????? ???????????????? ???? ?????????ν??????．??????


    He remembered exactly why he had turned back!


    He was here to win Hadley back!


    Eric’s hesitationsted only a second. Then, ignoring the relentless ringing of the doorbell, his gaze darkened. He turned away from the door—back toward the bed. Before she could react, he ced both hands on either side of her, caging her in.


    Hadley’s brows furrowed in confusion.


    What the hell was he doing?


    “Hadley.”


    Eric’s hand came to rest on her shoulder—gentle, yet firm.


    Hadley’s body tensed. A strange unease crept over her as she met his gaze. “What?” she asked warily. “What are you doing?”


    Eric’s lips pressed into a thin line. A burning, desperate desire coiled inside him, his voice dropping to a near-whisper.


    “I’m sorry, Hadley. Forgive me.”


    Then, in a single, swift motion—Rip!


    The sound of tearing fabric cut through the air like a de.


    Hadley’s breath caught. Her pulse thundered in her ears as her cor was wrenched open, the sensation of cool air against her skin making her shiver.


    “What the hell are you doing?” she gasped, her voiceced with shock.


    What was he doing?


    .


    .


    .