?Chapter 1449:


    Realization dawned—Hadley wasn’t angry about his advances! Her anger stemmed from genuine worry about his well-being!


    He straightened his posture and enveloped her in a tight embrace. “I never meant to cause you such concern.”


    Hadley thumped his back with her fist. “Empty apologies aren’t enough. I needmitment! If you ever behave like that again… don’t bother with me anymore! We’ll end this arrangement right there!”<fn37a0> ???? ????s? ???????s ?? f?ndnovel</fn37a0>


    “I wouldn’t dream of repeating that mistake!” Eric’s expression brightened instantly, relief washing over his features.


    He straightened up and swore an exaggerated oath. “Should I falter again, you have my permission to exile me from your bedroom permanently!”


    Without warning, he cupped her chin between his fingers and captured her lips with his own.


    Hadley’s brows furrowed as she shot him a reproachful look. How did he always manage to twist serious conversations into intimate moments? Detecting her hesitation, Eric whispered persuasively against her mouth, “Just one kiss, to soothe me after enduring that frigid shower…”


    Reluctantly, she acknowledged his mastery—he understood precisely how to disarm her defenses with his kisses.


    Momentster, Hadley surrendered, her eyelids fluttering closed…


    She yieldedpletely to his embrace—the facade of indifference crumbling away like sand.


    The clock had barely struck eight when everything shifted.


    Fresh from her visit to Flynn Mansion, Elissa approached her apartment, only to freeze at the sight of Linda waiting in a wheelchair near the entrance.


    “Elissa.” Linda pivoted toward her, an unsettling smile ying across her lips. “You’re back.”


    Wariness crept across Elissa’s face as she approached with measured steps. She regarded Linda with undisguised suspicion. “What brings you here?”


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    “Well…” Linda’s voice carried an eerieposure. “Won’t you extend the courtesy of inviting me inside?”


    Elissa remained rooted to the spot, instinct keeping her guarded. “Whatever you’vee to discuss can be addressed right here.”


    “You’re quite defensive,” Linda tilted her head, a ghost of a smile crossing her lips. “Afraid I might harm you somehow?”


    A soft, calctedugh escaped her as she conceded with a nod. “Very well, we can speak right here.”


    Her expression transformed to stone, each syble dripping with undisguised venom.


    “Elissa, you snatched Ernest from my grasp. Feeling victorious, are you? But tell me—what exactly have you conquered?”


    Her voice suddenly shifted from usation to something more calcted. “Aren’t you curious why Ernest abruptly severed our engagement and tumbled headlong into your arms?”


    Elissa remained stonily silent, unwilling to take the bait.


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