?Chapter 2945:


    “Colleen has been a lifesaver to me.” Eric spoke with quiet sincerity. “You don’t have many friends, but each one of them has always treated you with genuine kindness.”


    It was true—Colleen was undeniably Hadley’s closest and most trusted friend. But that truth belonged to another conversation.


    “You fool!”


    Eric’s palm settled firmly on Hadley’s slender waist as he murmured, drawing her even closer to him.


    His deep, gentle voice carried an almost imperceptible note of reproach. “Ellis bullied you, yet you never told me. Why?”


    Hadley parted her lips slightly, but no words came out.


    Wait a second—Ellis!


    If Eric hadn’t brought up his name, she might havepletely forgotten.


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    “Let go of me—right now!” Hadley pressed her palms against his chest, struggling to push him away.


    “I won’t!” Eric retorted with a frown. “We’re not finished talking yet.”


    “You…”


    Hadley was just about to resist when her phone suddenly rang inside her pocket.


    She shot Eric a sharp re and demanded, “Let me go.”


    “Alright,” Eric muttered, pouting as he reluctantly released her and withdrew his arms.


    He shoved both hands into his pockets, his gaze fixed intently on her. With forced casualness but unmistakable concern, he asked, “Who is it?”


    Hadley didn’t know either at first. When she picked up her phone, she saw the caller ID—it was Ellis.


    “Hello…”


    At first, she assumed it might just be one of Ellis’s colleagues. But then…


    “Hadley.” The voice that came through the receiver was deep and steady, unmistakably Ellis’s.


    Hadley froze in shock. “You…”


    “It’s me.” Ellis’s low chuckle carried through the line,ced with helpless resignation and a faint trace of bitterness. Then he asked, “You’re at Srixby Affiliated Hospital right now, aren’t you?”


    Hadley’s confusion only deepened. She nodded nkly, replying, “Yes.”


    “I thought so…” Ellis gave a soft chuckle and said, “I knew this would happen the moment you didn’t show up.” He let out a weary sigh. “So, you chose him after all.”


    What?


    Hadley couldn’t make sense of it. “What are you talking about?”


    Beside her, Eric grew restless, his eyes fixed on Hadley. Finally, he snapped, shouting into the phone, “Ellis, a deal’s a deal! Now be a man and don’t act like a sore loser!”


    The oue was already clear, so why was Ellis still calling Hadley? Shouldn’t he simply slink away into silence and disappear? That was the basic self-awareness a defeated man ought to possess!


    “Humph.”


    Ellis had clearly heard every word Eric shouted through the phone.


    He gave a chuckle, shook his head, and said, “Hadley, tell Eric that I truly lost. I ept the result, and I won’t be a sore loser.”


    Hadley stood frozen in shock. Her thoughts spun into chaos, but when she nced at Eric, she began to piece things together vaguely.


    “Hadley.” Ellis continued from the other end, “I’m already on my way to Srixby Affiliated Hospital. Hadley, I want to see you—would that be alright?”


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