?Chapter 1219:


    “I still don’t see what you’re getting at.”


    “That’s fine. I’ll help you understand. One photo should do it.” The conversation didn’t end there.


    A notification popped up shortly after. Opening the message, Hadley found a photo of a man and a woman. The woman was holding the man’s arm, both exiting through the side door of Gnt. The sight of the photo drained all color from Hadley’splexion. The image was blurry, yet unmistakably, the woman in the photo was her.


    Even though the man’s face had been pixted, Hadley knew exactly who it was—Duran.


    Driven by desperation over Joy’s surgery expenses back then, Hadley had once contemted a harrowing decision—to sell herself for money. She had never thought this dark chapter would resurface one day.


    “Who are you, really?” Her fingers clenched around the phone.


    “That’s not the point here. If I were you, I’d be more concerned about how to handle this situation.”


    A bitterugh escaped Hadley’s lips, low and sharp. “Just say it. What do you want? Money?”


    “Bingo. You’ve got three days. I want one million. Once the money’s in, I’ll hand over the original disk.”


    With those final words, the call was abruptly cut off.


    “Hello? Hello?” Holding the phone, she felt utterly bewildered and alone.


    What was she supposed to do now?


    The demand was outrageous. One million dors. And even if sheplied, what guarantee was there that they wouldn’te back for more? Even if they delivered the original disk as promised, they could have easily made copies.


    Hadley bit her lower lip and paced.


    The revtion of this scandal could end her budding career in the entertainment industry.


    Hertest show was also on the brink of its premiere. Beyond her own interests, could it impact Elvin and Adonis?


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    These directors had been her champions. They had showered her with opportunities. She couldn’t afford to let them down.


    And then there was Joy.


    The spread of these rumors would inevitably drag her into the mess as well.


    Just then, the bathroom door swung open and Eric stepped out. He paused, noticing Hadley’s incessant pacing.


    “Hadley?”


    Hadley stopped, her eyes slightly zed as she forced a smile.


    “You’re here.”


    Eric’s concern deepened as he observed her.


    “What happened? Why do you look so pale?”


    “Pale? Me?” Hadley lifted her hand, fingertips brushing her cheek as if to steady herself—still shaken by both the recent phone call and the memory of his unexpected kiss just moments ago.


    She offered a gentle smile.


    “Maybe it’s just because I just woke up.”


    Even as she said it, the excuse felt thin.


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