?Chapter 987:


    “Alright!” “Alright!”


    Denver and Eric responded in harmony, their faces etched with gravity and resolve.


    In an instant, Hadley was hoisted into the ambnce, with Denver and Eric climbing in after her. They settled on opposite sides, avoiding each other’s eyes, their attention locked on Hadley stretched out between them.


    A heavy silence enveloped the space, thick with unease, blending their mutual worry with an undercurrent of rivalry that crackled in the air.


    At the hospital, Hadley was whisked into the emergency room alongside a nurse. As the doors swung shut, the doctor’s urgentmands echoed faintly from within.


    “Get her into the hyperbaric chamber for oxygen! Start a rapid mannitol drip—prepare adrenaline now!”


    The closing doors left Eric and Denver outside, their eyes unexpectedly meeting—a collision of rivals igniting an electric tension.


    Their stares brimmed with unspoken resentmentyered with an awkward edge.


    Eric’s taut expression darkened as he forced a strained smile and addressed Denver.


    “Denver, I owe you one for today.”


    “What?”


    Denver blinked, caught off guard, a faint, chilly smirk flickering in his gaze. He gave a slight shake of his head. “Why? I haven’t done anything worth your gratitude, have I?”


    Eric’s brow creased, confusion mingling with annoyance. Swallowing his frustration, he pressed on, “You pulled Hadley out of danger. I…”


    “You said it yourself—I saved Hadley,” Denver cut in smoothly, a sharp curl to his lips. “If I’m the one who saved her, why are you thanking me? Last I checked, you and Hadley are done. You’re just another guy chasing her now, right? Seems a bit out of ce to y the grateful ex.” His voice stayed even, but each syble stabbed at Eric’sposure, shattering the fragile truce between them.


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    The air grew thick with animosity, teetering on the edge ofbustion. Eric’s eyes narrowed to slits, his tone dropping to an icy growl. “At least I’ve still got a shot with her. Can you say that for yourself?” A mocking edgeced his words. “Think your mother would sign off on it?”


    Denver froze, his striking features hardening. He had noeback—his mother’s disapproval had cost him his chance with Hadley long ago. A bitter chuckle escaped Denver. “Yeah, I let her down…”


    “Humph,” Eric scoffed, savoring his small victory. “d you see it. So keep your distance—unless you want your mom stirring up trouble for her again.”


    “And what about you?” Denver shot back, pinning Eric with a piercing look. “I saw Hadley get snatched into a van—and I followed the crumbs to the dock. What’s the story?” What could possibly exin Hadley’s abduction out of nowhere? A straightforward person like her wouldn’t naturally attract such dangerous foes—it was hard to believe this wasn’t tied to the Flynn family somehow.


    “This all points back to you, doesn’t it?” Denver snapped.


    Eric stiffened, his entire frame rigid, his face betraying the truth.


    “Exactly what I figured!” Denver’s voice rose, his restraint snapping as he seized Eric’s cor, fury zing. “You sneer at me, but what about you? Aren’t you just as guilty of dragging her into harm’s way?” The memory of Hadley trapped in the ze still gnawed at him, fear coiling in his gut.


    “Do you even realize? A few minuteste, and Hadley would have been crushed or burned alive!”


    Eric’s eyes zed over, his body frozen in ce. He hadn’t witnessed it firsthand, but the mere thought sent a wave of terror crashing through him.


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