Hadley paused for a split second, a flicker of surprise in her eyes. But immediately, she turned and walked away.
As she moved farther, Megan’s voice sounded from behind her. “Hey, babe!”
Hadley frowned, shut her eyes for a second, and then broke into a run.
Megan was slightly out of breath when she reached Eric. She grabbed his arm. “Why are you here? I’ve been looking everywhere for you!”
Eric didn’t answer. His eyes remained fixed on Hadley’s retreating figure in the distance.
Megan followed his gaze, pouting in dissatisfaction. She had noticed it earlier but chose not to react.
This time, instead of throwing a tantrum, she forced a smile and pretended nothing had happened. “Come on. My brother is asking for you.”
Eric was irritated. “Not interested!”
Why was she so insistent on dragging him to meet her family?
Through gritted teeth, he warned, “Have you forgotten why I even tolerate you? It’s only because of your blackmail! Don’t get any delusions about being my girlfriend.”
He paused for a moment, then said flatly, “I don’t even like you.”
Megan looked momentarily stunned, her bright eyes dimming, but she wasn’t the type to back down easily. She nodded, forcing a smile. “I know you don’t.”
“Then why keep hanging onto me?” Eric sounded frustrated and confused.
“Weren’t you the same with Hadley in the beginning?” Her lips curved into a sly grin as she made her point. “But in the end, you still fell for her, didn’t you? She stuck by you for ten whole years! She’s the reason I won’t give up!”
Back then, it was common knowledge. Everyone in town knew Hadley was clinging to Eric.
“If one year isn’t enough, then I’ll go for ten. And if ten still isn’t, I’ll give it twenty!” Megan lifted her chin high, full of conviction. “If Hadley could make you love her, then so can I!”
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“You…” Eric stared at her, utterly speechless. Then, without another word, he suddenly turned to walk away.
Megan trailed after him immediately. “Take me with you! I’m not going anywhere!”
A few days later, the compensation for the mountain redevelopment project in Dracnesse Town was finally disbursed.
Originally, the payout was supposed to be split between Hadley and the Jenkins family. But Brady made it clear that he was handing over his family’s entire share to her.
“This…”
Hadley faltered for a moment.
If it were Noreen, she wouldn’t hesitate to take the money. But this was Brady. She didn’t feel right taking everything from him.
Especially since he was the one who had done all the legwork.
“We should just stick to the original agreement and split this.”
“I’m the one calling the shots now.” Brady’s tone left no room for argument. “What I say goes. Hadley, take everything.”
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