Predictably enough, Hadley’s eyes fluttered shut momentarily. She had foreseen this confrontation. How could Ayla possibly overlook Eric’s presence? Within Ayla’s distorted perception, Eric had harbored feelings for her, and… Hadley had “stolen” him from her grasp.

“Wait!” Ayla retreated strategically, obstructing their route. Her venomous stare traveled from Hadley to Eric, transforming into a volatile blend of longing and bitterness. “You, you two…” Her eyes rapidly flushed with unshed tears. Disbelief painted her features as she observed their intimate proximity, her gaze fixating on their intertwined fingers. Acceptance eluded her completely. “Didn’t you…?”

“Separate?” Ayla demanded of Eric with growing agitation. “Why have you returned to her side?”

Eric found her behavior incomprehensible, his sneer accompanying the words that escaped him. “Have you lost your mind?”

He intended no insult. He genuinely believed this woman had descended into madness!

“My affairs are none of your business!”

“No, no!” Ayla’s head shook frantically. “I refuse to believe it! I cannot comprehend this! Why do you keep coming back to her? Time after time… Is she truly that exceptional?”

“We’re leaving.” Eric’s fingers tightened protectively around Hadley’s hand. “Don’t waste energy on this madwoman!”

“Agreed.” Hadley pressed her lips together, allowing him to guide her forward.

“Stop!” Yet Ayla positioned herself in their path once more. Overwhelming emotion and wounded pride fueled her accusatory finger aimed at Hadley as she confronted Eric. “Confess to me! Is it because she’s shamelessly throwing herself at you? Isn’t that the truth?”

Her head shook in desperate denial as tears spilled forth. “You cannot care for her so deeply! You wouldn’t develop such strong feelings!”

Hadley found herself rendered completely mute. She suddenly recognized that Ayla had genuinely lost touch with reality. If Linda had been merely toying with drama earlier, then Ayla was orchestrating a complete theatrical performance here.

What an absolute farce!

Eric released a brief, icy laugh before shouting, “Phillips!”

“On it!” Phillips had been prepared. Upon hearing the summons, he immediately directed the bodyguards to encircle Ayla. “Remove her from here!”

“Understood!” The bodyguards swiftly secured Ayla’s arms.

“No! Don’t drag me away! Release me!” Ayla wailed and thrashed against their grip, screaming, “Eric! How can you subject me to this treatment? Why are you inflicting this upon me?”

Eric felt as though his skull might split from confusion. What exactly had he done to her?

Any uninformed observer might assume he had abandoned her heartlessly. He gestured impatiently, commanding Phillips, “Move faster! Get her out of here!”

“Right away!” Phillips responded.

The bodyguards hauled Ayla away, her figure growing increasingly distant. Yet her anguished shouts continued echoing back to them.

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