Ellis listened, then gave a small nod.

“It’s alright. I have extra clothes. I’ll just go change.”

“Thank you for understanding,” Hadley said, offering a warm smile.

By that point, Theodore arrived.

“Theodore, could you arrange for someone to escort Mr. Gomez?”

“Right away,” Theodore replied, immediately taking care of it.

Mistakes happened, and Hadley didn’t believe in being harsh over a simple accident. Still, she noticed the server looked rattled.

Hadley offered a reassuring instruction.

“Check on the guests and see if anyone needs anything else.”

“Understood, Miss Pearson,” the server replied, hurrying off.

There was nothing else Hadley needed to do—this was no longer her responsibility.

Ellis made his way back to his room to put on a fresh shirt. He handed the stained shirt to Theodore’s assistant to be taken care of.

As he fastened his buttons, his phone buzzed with a new message. It was from one of his subordinates, containing a thorough report on Hadley. He had put in a request for this information earlier.

What he received was far more detailed than anything he could have found online. Ellis read through the file, his face revealing nothing.

Once he finished, he slipped his phone back into his pocket and returned to the event. As he stepped inside, Ellis scanned the room, his eyes searching for Hadley.

Finally, Ellis found Hadley.

Hadley sat at the table, her head slightly bowed, focused on her food. Ellis took a tentative step forward, then paused, observing her quietly.

Hadley set down her fork and lifted her glass of water to her lips. Eric approached from behind, resting a hand gently on the back of her chair as he leaned slightly forward. He glanced at her plate and said, “Hadley, I see you’re eating.”

As he spoke, he pulled out the chair beside her, preparing to sit.

“Why are you sitting down?” Hadley asked, glancing at him. She was aware of the event schedule and realized he must have come specifically to escort her.

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“Aren’t we leaving?”

“No rush,” Eric replied, shaking his head with calm patience.

“I’ll wait until you’re finished.”

“I’m nearly done,” Hadley said, setting down her glass and dabbing her mouth lightly with her linen napkin.

“Let’s not keep Ernest waiting.”

Though Ernest would have understood the delay, keeping the guests waiting would have been impolite.

“Let’s go.” Hadley gathered her skirt gracefully and rose to her feet.

Eric rose as well, reaching for her handbag with practiced courtesy.

“Alright.”

“Wait a moment.” Hadley paused him mid-motion, reaching for her handbag to retrieve her lipstick and compact mirror.

“Let me refresh my lipstick.”

“Of course,” Eric said, holding the mirror steadily.

“I’ll keep it steady for you.”

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