?Chapter 2998:


    Her lips formed an adorable pout, radiating obvious irritation. “You’re the one behaving strangely. Since when do you offer warm smiles to random strangers?”


    “Ah, you make an excellent point…” Eric acknowledged, his teasing tone deliberately yful. “That’s quite observant of you.”


    Hadley’s frustration intensified, her fork striking the table with sharp emphasis. “Eric!”


    Genuine jealousy now zed in her eyes!


    “Haha!” Eric’s delightedughter filled the air, his mood absolutely jubnt.


    “Cease thatughter immediately!”


    Before Hadley could unleash her full indignation, Eric tenderly captured her hand while his other fingers yfully brushed against her nose. “I’m actually impressed. You’ve learned the art of jealousy beautifully!”


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    Hadley deliberately leaned away from him. “I already told you that’s not what this is.”


    “Come now.” Eric’sughter rumbled warmly. “Your words im one thing while your expression betrays something entirely different. It’s utterly endearing.”


    Eric knew how fine the line was, cautious not to let harmless teasing turn into something that might genuinely hurt her.


    He offered a swift exnation. “She did attempt to flirt with me, that’s true, but I told her at once that I’m married. Consider this—didn’t we both turn to look at you together?”


    Hadley remained wordless.


    Yes, that much had indeed happened.


    “My silly girl.” Eric’s fingers caressed her cheek with gentle reverence. “With you here, how could my heart or my eyes ever stray?”


    He gracefully lifted a portion of the pastry with his fork, bringing it gently to her lips. “Have a taste.”


    Hadley parted her lips to ept the offering, though her brow creased with lingering thought.


    Eric observed her contemtive expression. “What’s upying that beautiful mind?”


    “I was merely curious,” Hadley admitted softly. “You never seemed to have feelings for me before. What shifted to make you care now?”


    “Does that strike you as particrly unusual?” Eric considered her question thoughtfully, gesturing toward the freshtro garnishing his dish. “Consider this example—during my childhood, I absolutely detested this herb’s pungent aroma. The mere scent would trigger waves of dizziness and nausea. Yet these days, I find it absolutely irresistible. I could consume entire bundles without hesitation… Human preferences evolve simrly.”


    Hadleypsed into thoughtful silence.


    Was that trulyparable?


    His exnation failed to quiet the turmoil stirring within her heart. If his feelings could so easily bloom from indifference into affection, what assurance was there they wouldn’t wither just as fast?


    These troubling thoughts nted seeds of anxiety deep within Hadley’s chest.


    However, as they wandered through the grand cathedral and down the quaint cobblestonenes, her worries melted quietly into the background.


    When they returned to the hotel that evening, fresh from the calm of the fishing vige, Cristian awaited them at the suite door.


    His posture suggested he’d been stationed there for considerable time.


    “Mr. Haywood?”


    “Miss Pearson.” Cristian acknowledged her with a respectful nod toward Hadley before shifting his attention to Eric. “Mr. Scott.”


    “Hi.” With a restrained nod, Eric returned the greeting. “Perhaps we should continue this conversation indoors.”


    “Of course.”


    A crease formed between Hadley’s brows as unease began to take hold again.


    What was this strange tension between them? Had something serious transpired?


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