?Chapter 2989:


    The cabin doors sealed with a soft thud after Eric and Hadley boarded the private jet.


    Hadley sank into her seat, her pulse still racing from the rush of departure. The heavy flight suit clung ufortably to her skin, every breath thick with the heat of exhaustion.


    “I need a shower,” she murmured, tugging at her cor. “And a change of clothes before I melt.”


    “Patience,” Eric said with an easy smile, slipping an arm around her shoulders to guide her down gently. “Once we’re in the air, you can take all the time you need.”


    Momentster, a flight attendant appeared, setting down a tray with quiet precision. “Mr. Scott, your dinner.”


    Hadley blinked in surprise. “You haven’t eaten yet?”


    Eric shook his head, his tone casual yet warm. “No. I wrapped up work and came straight to get you.”


    Her gaze softened. The thought that he’d dropped everything just toe for her stirred something faint but unmistakable in her chest.


    The ne ascended smoothly, the city lights shrinking into a trail of gold below.


    Hadley rose, brushing a damp strand of hair from her neck. “You finish your dinner. I’ll shower quickly.”


    “Go ahead,” he said, his voice carrying a quiet note that she didn’t quite catch.


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    The bathroom was elegantly arranged—polished marble, soft lighting, and a wardrobe stocked with freshlyundered clothes, all in her exact size.


    The sight made her pause. Everything here had been prepared, thought out… by him.


    She stepped under the stream of warm water, sighing as the day’s fatigue began to fade.


    The steady rhythm of water masked the world outside—including the sound of approaching footsteps.


    “Hadley.” Eric slipped through the door, his gaze fixed on her elegant outline through the fogged ss, a nervous swallow rippling down his throat.


    He stepped inside the steaming enclosure and slid an arm around her slender waist.


    “Ah!” Hadley jolted, eyes flying open in shock. “What are you doing?”


    “Did I startle you?” Eric’s lips curved into a yful grin. “You’re so skittish. We’re thirty thousand feet up in my private ne. Who else could it possibly be?”


    “How was I supposed to guess?” Hadley huffed, still breathless, shooting him a fiery re. “You didn’t make a single noise. Were you trying to give me a heart attack?”


    “Not at all.” Eric shook his head with mock innocence. “I called your name. Perhaps you didn’t hear me.”


    “So you’re ming me?”


    “Never.” He kept shaking his head, eyes twinkling. “All my fault, entirely my fault.”


    That sounded better.


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