“Where are you going? The event isn’t finished yet.”
“I know.” Hadley leaned closer, lowering her voice.
“Locke and Joy are causing a bit of a scene. Nyla is struggling to keep them in check. I’ll be right back.”
“Alright,” Eric nodded. He understood, especially since Joy was involved.
“Joy’s younger and a girl, so she probably isn’t the troublemaker. Locke’s older and a boy, so I’m betting he started it.”
Hadley didn’t dignify that with an answer. For a second, she considered challenging Eric to repeat that in front of Ernest, but she decided to let it go. She waved over Theodore and Emily and then hurried toward her quarters, mindful that she needed to return quickly.
After she left, Eric didn’t head for the stage. Instead, he signaled to Xander.
“Go find a clean jar for me,” Eric instructed.
Xander stared, puzzled.
“What kind of jar? What do you need it for? How big should it be?”
Eric clicked his tongue and gave him a sharp look.
“You really aren’t the sharpest tool in the shed, are you?”
Xander shrank back, a little hurt. He knew he couldn’t match Phillips in cleverness. He often reminded himself he wasn’t cut out to be Eric’s personal assistant. Mumbling under his breath, he said, “Mr. Scott, you’re the one who wanted me for this job…”
“Just get the jar, will you?” Eric interrupted.
“About this big, brand new, perfectly clean, and sterile.” He pointed to the pine nuts on the table.
“See these pine nut kernels? I need something to store them in.”
Understanding dawned on Xander’s face.
“Oh, I see!” He hustled off and returned a moment later, placing a jar on the table.
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“Here you go, Mr. Scott.”
Eric barely glanced up, focused intently on cracking the pine nuts.
Xander, eager to help, said, “Mr. Scott, are these for Hadley? Let me lend a hand.” He reached for a handful.
“Don’t touch them!” Eric snapped, smacking his hand away, eyebrows knitted in irritation. He glared at Xander.
“Are your hands even clean? Do you really think I’d let you handle her food?”
Eric pictured Hadley—so graceful, so pristine. She deserved only the best. The thought of another man touching her food unsettled him.
“No way am I letting just anyone’s hands handle what she eats.”
Xander, feeling slighted, fell silent. He knew Eric’s reaction was harsh.
Trying to defend himself, Xander muttered, “My hands are clean, Mr. Scott. I washed them.”
Eric shot him a cold look.
“Just get out already.”
“Right, I’m going,” Xander replied, quietly relieved to retreat.
Meanwhile, Hadley was taking a bit longer to return. After settling the kids, she made her way back just as the luncheon was beginning. Theodore guided her inside.
The moment she stepped in, a group of showbiz celebrities turned toward her.
.
.
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