?Chapter 1651:


    “How’d you know?” Colleen gasped.


    Hadley let out a softugh. “Come on, Colleen. He’s not exactly subtle. Anyone can see he likes you.”


    She asked further, “So? Did you say yes?”


    Colleen sounded torn. “He’s younger than me.”


    “Huh?” Hadley blinked, thrown off guard. Then sheughed. “Dr. Hayes—Colleen—the woman who’s lived all over the world and collected degrees like postcards… And this is what trips you up?”


    “Huh…” Colleen paused, then mumbled, “You’re kind of right.”


    “Of course I am,” Hadley said, grinning. “Look, I’m not telling you to ept him right now. But if you say no, make sure it’s because you don’t like him—not because he’s two years younger.”


    Colleen stammered.


    Hadley cut in, teasing, “Let me guess—you don’t actually dislike him, do you?”


    Colleen didn’t say anything for a second, then managed to say, “Well, he’s a good guy.” That alone said a lot.


    Hadley nudged a little more. “You might even like him… just a little?”


    “Oh, stop!” Colleen groaned, clearly embarrassed. “I don’t know, okay? Don’t push!”


    “All right, all right.” Hadleyughed. “No pressure. Let things unfold naturally. Just take your time and see if he’s really worth it.”


    She added with a smirk, “And just so you know—even though he’s my brother, he’s still a man. And just as they say, men are great at talking, but not so great at following through.”


    Right then, the door creaked open, and Eric walked in just in time to catch the tail end of her sentence.


    His scalp tingled. Wait… was she talking about him? Had he done something wrong again?<fn2663> Fresh chapters posted on F?ndNovel</fn2663>


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    Eric hovered by the doorway, his posture a touch rigid as he mulled over all the choices he’d made that day. “Alright then. I’ll catch youter.”


    Hadley smiled and ended her call with Colleen as she saw Eric by the door. She ced the phone down and rose gracefully from her seat. “Done with work?” she asked, walking over to him with a smile that melted thest of his unease.


    Relief swept through Eric like a breeze. Her smile was a green light—he hadn’t done anything to upset her.


    “Yes,” he said with a nod.


    Phillips had dropped by earlier, and the two of them had spent some time in the study handling business affairs. “We’re done, and Phillips has gone now,” he added.


    Hadley nodded, then tilted her head. “Did you take your meds?”


    “I did.”


    “Let me check. Open your mouth.”


    Eric hesitated with a soft chuckle, then leaned down and opened wide like a kid caught sneaking sweets.


    “Okay,” Hadley murmured, frowning slightly as the strong, bitter scent of the herbal remedy confirmed his honesty.


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