?Chapter 2994:


    The once-quiet streets had transformedpletely. Crowds filled every corner, while lively music andughter drifted through the air. Dancers and performers turned the roads into a vivid carnival of color and sound.


    With fingers intertwined, Eric and Hadley moved through the throng together.


    For the first time in a while, Hadley felt utterly free. She didn’t need a hat or a mask here. No one knew her name, and she could take everything in with wide-eyed delight.


    However, Eric’s attention never strayed far from her. He watched every step she took, wary that someone might bump into her in the thick crowd.


    “Wait,” Hadley said suddenly, tilting her head as the faint strains of music reached her ears. “Is that opera I’m hearing?”


    “Are you serious?”


    “Absolutely!” Hadley eximed, nodding with excitement as she pointed toward the thick crowd gathered a few meters ahead. “It’sing from over there!”


    Eric tilted his head, straining to listen past the chatter and music filling the air.


    “You’re right. I can hear it too.”


    “See?” Hadley rose onto her toes, trying to catch a glimpse. “I want to see what’s happening!”


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    No matter how hard she tried, the sea of people blocked her view. Most of them towered over her, and even at five feet seven, she barely reached their shoulders.


    A frown formed on her face as she sank back down. “I can’t see a thing.”


    “That’s an easy problem to solve.” Eric crouched slightly and tapped his shoulder. “Climb on.”


    “What? Here?” Hadley’s eyes widened in disbelief.


    Catching her hesitation, Eric chuckled. “Come on, it’s no different from what we did in the elevator. You sit on my shoulders, I lift you. Remember?”


    “Of course I remember,” Hadley said, though uncertainty flickered in her eyes.


    Looking around at the people nearby, she lowered her voice. “But this crowd is huge.”


    “So what if they stare?” Eric said easily, his tone light and teasing. “No one here knows who we are, so stop worrying.”


    At his remark, the bodyguards immediately turned away, pretending to be deeply interested in the scenery.


    “Come on,” Eric said, ncing toward the stage. “If you don’t hurry, we’ll miss the best part!”


    “Alright…” Hadley hesitated for a moment before biting her lip and letting him take her by the ankles. A secondter, she found herself lifted high onto his shoulders.


    “Hang on tight!” Eric warned as he straightened up, steady and sure.


    Startled, Hadley gave a small gasp and instinctively wrapped her arms around his head.


    “I’ve got you. You’re safe up there.”


    “Okay,” Hadley muttered, nodding as her gaze focused on the scene ahead.


    From her new height, the view was spectacr. Performers dressed in ornate costumes filled the stage, their powerful voices carrying through the air as they sang a ssic opera piece.


    The crowd erupted into cheers and apuse, their enthusiasm infectious.


    Hadley couldn’t resist joining in, pping along with everyone else, her face glowing with delight.


    Down below, Eric tilted his head back just enough to look at her, a small smile curving his lips. “Having fun?”


    “More than you think!” she replied, herughter bright and genuine.


    Eric’s smile deepened. Watching her like that—unrestrained, carefree, and shining above the crowd—made him feel utterly content.


    The woman he loved was finally seeing the world from his shoulders, without a single shadow holding her back.


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