?Chapter 505:


    Hadley hesitated before admitting, “I’m really sorry. I should have told you earlier… I won’t make it to the banquet tonight.”


    Surprised, Eric asked, “What? Why not?”


    Hadley exined, “Well, when I went to try on the dress earlier, Linda saw it and fell in love with it. I ended up giving it to her. Now, I’ve got nothing to wear. I can’t just show up in workout clothes, can I? That would make everyone ufortable, wouldn’t it?”


    What?


    Eric sensed there was more to the story than her just giving Linda the dress.


    But this? Hadley wasn’ting after all?


    A suspicion crossed his mind, and he couldn’t help asking, “You don’t want to be at this party, do you? You’re avoiding being seen in public with me?” Nailed it!


    Hadley’s true feelings seemed obvious now.


    Yet, she wouldn’t confess.


    Hadley chuckled dismissively. “No, why would you think that? Didn’t you see Linda wearing the gown? That alone should tell you something…”


    “Hadley!”


    Anger tinged Eric’s low voice.


    “You purposely gave away the gown to avoid attending the party tonight with me!”


    Hadley responded with a firm denial, “That’s not true at all.”


    “Hah,” Eric scoffed coldly, his expression growing harsher.


    Before Eric could say more, Hadley cut in and asked, “Why are you so upset? Isn’t this what you wanted?”


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    “Excuse me?” Eric looked bewildered.


    “You’ve said it before,” Hadley’s voice was gentle. “I owed her that much, so I gave her the gown she wanted. Is there a problem with that?”


    Eric caught his breath sharply. Could he have inadvertently sabotaged himself?


    “Try not to be upset,” Hadley suggested with a subdued grin. “I’ll choose my own dress next time. You always seem to choose what she prefers. If it happens again, I’ll still have to hand it over to its rightful owner.”


    Eric’s response was one of confusion, his eyes narrowing. “What nonsense are you talking about? What rightful owner?”


    A light, almost mockingugh bubbled from Hadley. “You know, like the pearl head tie, that gown, or the time we both ended up in identical outfits…”


    She paused, a yful tone in her voice. “You’ve always had her in your mind when you choose things for me, haven’t you, Mr. Flynn?”


    Just then, a car horn red behind her.


    “I need to go now—bye!” Hadley swiftly ended the call, trying to avoid the iing car.


    “Hadley!”


    Back at the other end, Eric simmered with anger. Was this really how little she thought of him? Had she even listened to a single word he’d said?


    The head tie he gave her—tossed aside. The gown he’d chosen—given away. And she kept bringing up Linda!


    Couldn’t she sense how deeply he cared about her, or did it simply mean nothing?


    If Hadley didn’t care, why should he?


    Continuing to chase someone so indifferent like her would make him the biggest fool of all.


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