?Chapter 492:


    After a long pause, she opened WhatsApp and typed, “Are you busy?”


    No response. Not that she expected one.


    That night, her performance was the first on stage, wrapping up early.


    By the time she stepped out of the studio, it wasn’t even eight. She checked her phone—still nothing from Eric.


    She drew in a steady breath, gripped her phone, and pressed call.


    The ringtone dragged on, stretching each second unbearably.


    “Hello?”


    Atst, he answered.


    His tone was slow, edged with impatience. “What do you want?”


    “Eric.” Hadley swallowed, choosing her words carefully. “Are you free? I need to see you.”


    A shortugh. “You need to meet up? What for?” There was a teasing lilt to his voice, cool and detached. “Whatever it is, just say it now.”


    Hadley hesitated. Truthfully, she had no real excuse—no concrete reason to see him.


    Still, she softened her tone. “Can we just meet? Some things are easier to say in person.”


    Silence. Then, finally—


    “Let’s talk about itter. I’m out right now.”


    “Then I’ll wait for you,” she offered. “Are you heading back to Silver Vis tonight? I can meet you there.”


    Another pause. Longer this time.


    “Do what you want,” he said tly. “I don’t know when I’ll be back.”


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    The line went dead.


    Hadley stared at her phone, frustration tightening in her chest.


    Now what? She had no choice but to wait. If she wanted this to work, she had to be patient.


    Slipping her phone into her pocket, she headed to Silver Vis.


    When she pressed her fingertip to the sensor, the door clicked open. Her fingerprint still worked?


    Had he forgotten to remove it? Or had he just never bothered?


    Pushing the thought aside, she stepped inside.


    At one in the morning, Eric finally returned to Silver Vis.


    Hadley, resting against the sofa, stirred at the sound of the door. She was on her feet in an instant, hurrying over, her steps light and quick.


    Her voice was soft. “You’re back?”


    Eric kicked off his shoes and strode into the living room.


    The way she looked at him—warm, expectant—made something in his chest tighten.


    But his expression stayed unreadable, his gaze sharp and distant.


    “Why are you here? I thought you made it clear I was beyond redemption.”


    Hadley arrived with a clear purpose. Her lips pressed tightly, she offered a solemn apology.


    “Forgive me. That day, I was out of line… I shouldn’t have spoken to you that way.”


    Could she be here just to apologize?


    Eric’s eyes narrowed, though he remained silent. Out of nowhere, he staggered and fell toward her. His strong frame enveloped her immediately.


    Feeling overwhelmed, Hadley grimaced and instinctively pushed against him.


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