“So what?” Linda shot back, bold and unyielding. “I’m the one marrying Ernest. Doesn’t that speak for itself? Why is she still hanging onto him? Is stealing someone else’s man really that irresistible?”

Hadley let out a cold laugh and said sarcastically, “You’d know all about that, wouldn’t you? Snatching other women’s men seems to be your forte.”

“That’s a lie! I never did anything like that!”

“You did. And you have never stopped.”

“Shut up!” Linda shouted, her whole body shaking with rage as she turned to Eric with pleading eyes. “Eric! Are you really just going to stand there and let her insult me like this?”

Just then, Hadley turned to Eric as well.

He was already looking at her.

For a split second, their eyes locked, and Hadley’s heart skipped a beat. She braced herself, certain he was about to defend Linda and scold her.

And honestly, it wouldn’t have surprised her if he did.

After all, whenever she clashed with Linda in the past, Eric would usually tell her to tone it down.

With that in mind, Hadley smirked and raised her chin slightly to meet his gaze. She didn’t mind if he scolded her again. She’d gotten used to it by now. Eric could tell exactly what she was thinking. But was it really her fault for expecting the worst?

No, he knew better. He was to blame for all the ways he’d let her down before.

He sighed softly, then looked at Linda, shaking his head with a frown. “No.”

“No?” Linda echoed, stunned. “What do you mean ‘no’?”

Eric said calmly, “Hadley is telling the truth. Ernest and Elissa were set to get married. Everything that’s happened since then is on Ernest… If you’re upset, take it up with him.”

“Take it up with him, instead of giving Elissa a headache… She’s just someone who got caught in the middle.”

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Linda stared at him in disbelief. Her mouth opened and closed as if she was trying to speak, but no words came out. “You… She…” She glanced at him, and then at Hadley.

Then, with a bitter laugh, she snapped, “You’re taking her side!”

Tears welled in her eyes and ran down her cheeks. “Ever since I woke up in the hospital, you’ve been cold to me. Eric, can you just tell me why?”

Eric didn’t answer right away. He just pressed his lips together and stared at her.

Finally, he shook his head and said, “You want to know why? You may be ‘sick’ and can’t remember. But I remember everything. And I can never forget.” Without waiting for a response, he turned sharply. “Phillips! What are you waiting for?”

“Yes, Mr. Scott!”

This time, Linda didn’t fight back. She allowed the bodyguards to step in and took her seat.

Eric’s words had clearly shaken her.

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