?Chapter 562:


    “No!” Eric shook his head, his gaze never leaving Hadley. “Hadley, this behavior is uneptable. You should apologize!”


    Hadley’s eyes glinted with a razor-sharp mockery. “You really expect me to apologize to her?”


    “Yes, I do.” Eric’s voice was as cold as ice. “You were raised by my grandmother, a renowned socialite in Srixby, so you should at least learn basic courtesy from her. When you do something wrong, you take responsibility and apologize.”


    Hadley let out a scornful littleugh. “And if I don’t?”


    Her unwavering defiance caught Eric off guard; his features darkened…


    In response,


    In that instant, he saw the Hadley of years ago—stubborn, proud, utterly undaunted.


    Gritting his teeth, he finally snapped, “You haven’t changed one bit! Four yearster, and you’re still as arrogant, overbearing, and willful as ever!”


    “Haha! Hahaha!”


    A peal ofughter erupted from Hadley’s lips, unrestrained and wild. Tears cascaded down her cheeks as she doubled over, unable to contain her mirth.


    “Hadley!” Eric’s voice cut through the air, sharp with exasperation. “You’re entirely correct!”


    Hadley chuckled, her eyes sparkling with vitality, devoid of any resentment. She genuinely found the situation humorous.


    “Four years have slipped by, and I’m still the same. So are you.”


    Just as in days past, no matter the circumstance, Eric unfailingly stood by Linda’s side without a flicker of doubt or pause!


    The tales you love are at g?lnσν???s?c?m


    Hadley let out a quiet sigh. Did he even realize how her notorious reputation hade to be all those years ago? This—his partiality—was precisely the root cause!


    Eric only ever witnessed her outbursts and missteps, never pausing to wonder what had provoked them!


    But time had marched on, and now, four yearster, the things that once held such weight in her heart and bothered her so much no longer did.


    After herughter subsided, Hadley spoke with anguid air. “I’m sorry, but I’ll never offer an apology. Not in a million years. Isn’t that why you’re here, Mr. Flynn?”


    She cast a sly smile at Eric. “You’re Linda’s ever-faithfulpdog. With your pitiful devotion—pathetic even, you’re bound to find some ways to keep her smiling, just like old times.”


    “Hadley!”


    Eric’s voice thundered with rage as Hadley abruptly swept her arm across the table, sending its contents tumbling to the floor in a chaotic tter.


    “Oh, gosh!” Linda leapt to her feet, startled.


    “Hadley!” Eric’s anger fully boiled over, his temples throbbing, veins bulging as he spat her name through gritted teeth.


    “Right here for you,” Hadley replied coolly, meeting Eric’s re with a faint, defiant smirk. “Let’s raise the stakes! Be sure to pamper her until she is positively glowing!”


    Hadley wasn’t the pushover she once was. If Linda wanted more drama, then Hadley would happily grant her wish. They could all wallow in misery together if that was what it took!


    With that, she turned on her heel, her expression nk, and strode out.


    “Eric…” Linda’s voice trembled slightly. “Are you all right?”


    Eric stood rooted to the spot, a frigid aura radiating from him.


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