?Chapter 1253:


    “Hadley!”


    Both men greeted her, and then nodded politely in Eric’s direction.


    “Mr. Scott, are you here to pick up Hadley?” Elvin asked with a cordial smile.


    “Mr. Webster.” Eric returned the greeting, his expressionposed.


    “Thank you for looking after her.”


    “You’re wee. It’s an honor to have your trust,” Elvin replied good-naturedly. “We just had a table read today, and now everyone’s intending to go out for dinner together. Would you like to join us, or will you be taking Hadley…”


    His sentence trailed off as he nced at Eric, waiting for his decision.


    “Count me in,” Hadley said before Eric could respond. As the drama’s lead actress, missing the first full gathering of the cast wasn’t an option.


    More than that, leaving with Eric right now felt impossible. She wasn’t ready to deal with him yet. Keeping her distance felt like the only choice she had left for now. She lifted her eyes to meet Eric’s. “You’re busy, aren’t you? Perhaps you should—”


    “We should go together,” Eric said, the frustration in his eyes impossible to miss. He nced toward Elvin. “I hope that won’t be a problem.”


    “Of course not.”


    Elvin smiled easily. Having Eric join them was hardly an inconvenience. If anything, it was a privilege most people would envy. “Mr. Scott, this way, please.”


    “Thank you.”


    Soon, they arrived at the venue. Eric’s phone vibrated with a message just as they stepped into the private room.


    “I saw you with Hadley.”


    Eric stiffened, his grip tightening around the device. His eyes flicked to Hadley, who was chattingfortably with her colleagues. Silently, he stepped aside and moved toward a quieter corner. Unlocking his phone, he dialed a familiar number.


    “Hello,” Linda answered, her softugh floating through the line.


    “Where are you?” Eric asked, ncing around the street. Had she followed him here?


    But Linda didn’t answer his question directly. Instead, she asked calmly, “Did you only make those arrangements because of Hadley?”


    Updates loaded at g??????σv????s.co??


    Eric fell silent for a second. “No. It wasn’t about that. I was selfish… I owed you that much.”


    For a moment, there was nothing but silence on the other end.


    “I understand,” Linda said atst, her tone gentle, tinged with a faint smile. “You should’ve just told me the truth. Did you think I’d stand in your way? I was only worried something might have happened to you.”


    Eric pursed his lips, guilt weighing heavily on him. Then he mumbled, “Forgive me.”


    “How silly of you!” Linda whispered with a shakyugh, her voice catching faintly. “Eric, just promise me you’ll be happy. That’s all I’ve ever wanted for you.”


    “Okay.” Eric’s response was quiet, the word rough in his throat. “Take care of yourself.”


    “Alright.” Linda let out a soft sigh, pairing it with a faint smile as she tried to sound casual. “Alright, I’m heading out now. See you.”


    “Bye.”


    The call ended, leaving Eric with a growing weight in his chest.


    They had known each other since childhood—more than a decade of memories—but he had never imagined their goodbye would unfold like this.


    .


    .


    .