No words came, just frustration building up inside him.

Finally, the pressure forced it out.

“He told you how he felt. So what now? Are you planning to say yes? Or did you already agree to be with him?”

Hadley had never agreed to be with Ellis.

Still, when Hadley caught the nervous look in Eric’s eyes, a crease formed between her brows.

“This is my concern, and I owe you no explanation.”

She brushed his hand away and continued walking without looking back.

“Yes, it is your business,” Eric scrambled to keep pace, his tone a blend of worry and curiosity.

“It’s just—I care about what happens to you…”

“You really think you care about me?” Hadley stopped abruptly, fixing him with a sharp stare. Her voice dripped with sarcasm.

“Well, thanks, but I don’t need your concern. What I do with my life is up to me.”

Whatever Eric was about to say, he couldn’t get the words out. Hadley turned away and broke into a jog, following the same route she had taken before.

Left standing alone, Eric tried to wrap his head around whether Hadley was really interested in Ellis.

Frustration building, Eric clenched his jaw and went after her.

The walk home was filled with silence. Neither of them spoke.

Later, looking defeated, Eric made his way upstairs and rapped on Ernest’s door.

Ernest opened it, immediately catching the troubled look on Eric’s face.

“What happened?”

Eric took a breath.

“Ernest, how much do you know about Ellis Gomez?”

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Ernest said, “I can’t say I know him well, but I’ve heard a few things. Actually, you’ve had more contact with him than I have. To be specific, you’ve worked more with the Gomez family.”

“Are you talking about the Gomez family in Lunville?” Eric asked for clarity.

“That’s right,” Ernest confirmed.

The mention of that family sparked a memory for Eric. The Scott Group had been involved in plenty of deals with the Gomez family from Lunville.

So that was Ellis’ background.

Curious, Ernest asked, “Why all the questions about him?”

“Ernest…” Eric’s face twisted in uncertainty.

“Ellis seems to be interested in Hadley. I mean, romantically.”

“Is that so?” A flicker of surprise passed over Ernest’s face.

“That’s news to me.”

He studied Eric for a moment.

“So, what are you going to do about it?”

Eric faltered, looking lost.

“I don’t have a plan. What could I do?”

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