?Chapter 1116:


    Hadley nodded. “Yes. I’m sorry, Elissa. Ernest asked me not to say anything, and I went along with it.”


    “I don’t me you. He’s your brother-inw. I just… I don’t understand his intentions.”


    Elissa reached out and held Hadley’s hand. “Isn’t he with Linda?”


    “He was, but they broke up a while ago.” Hadley gave Elissa’s hand a reassuring pat. “If they hadn’t, I never would’ve agreed to keep this from you.”


    “They broke up?” Elissa blinked, another wave of disbelief washing over her. “They were together for so long… and they seemed genuinely in love. What happened?”


    Hadley shrugged. “I don’t know. Matters of the heart aren’t something I can press him about. But I can assure you, they’ve really broken up.” It was only after that breakup that Linda started pursuing Eric.


    “But… why does Ernest treat me differently?” Elissa asked hesitantly. With her reputation and her in appearance, why would he even be interested?


    Hadley looked at her friend, a little taken aback. “Elissa, when someone genuinely cares, things like that don’t matter.”


    Elissa chuckled softly and shook her head. “No, it’s not that. I’ve been in love before. I know what it feels like to be genuinely loved. Whether as Ernest or Dn, he’s always treated me well. And yes, it seems like he likes me… But he’s never made me feel cherished—you know, in a romantic way. Do you get what I’m saying?”


    She paused for a brief moment, and then quietly said, “Ernest’s feelings… They’re not love. Not the kind that runs deep.”


    Why was he so kind to her then? Why go as far as hiding his identity? Could it really be, as Robin imed, just an act?


    Eric hadn’t been to Gnt in a while. Yet, the ce looked exactly the same. The stage still lit up under the spotlight, drawing the crowd’s attention as always.


    At the bar, Barrie swirled the drink in his ss, nced at the stage, and remarked, “Hadley’s performance is in a league of its own.”


    Marshall frowned and shot Barrie a sideways nce. “Better to keep quiet than speak poorly.”


    Didn’t he realize Eric was sitting right there? Why bring up Hadley? But Eric just leaned back against the sofa, looking rxed and unbothered. “Not at all. She’s dancing well, isn’t she?”


    Mσr? υpdαt?s ín Gαlnσv?ls.cσm


    “She’s not the main act tonight. The headliner’s stilling on. But this one’s also got a strong following,” Marshall chimed in.


    As the three of them continued talking, a tall, handsome figure approached in a hurry.


    It was Denver. He greeted them one by one, and then loosened his tie and sank into the seat beside them.


    He looked worn out, his face carrying the weight of a long trip.


    “Justnded?” Marshall looked over at Denver and filled a ss with water. “Here, drink this.”


    “Yeah,” Denver replied, taking the ss and feeling instantly refreshed after a long drink.


    Marshall let out a chuckle. “What brings you here? Why not just go home and rest? You’ve been in Prineville for so long, aren’t you itching to go home and see your family?”


    “No rush.” Denver frowned, shaking his head slightly. “As soon as I step in the door, my mom will start with her usual nagging.”


    Of course, he was referring to her relentless efforts to set him up on dates.


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