Chapter 261
Choking back emotion, she pleaded, “Please, just stop this! You’re trying to manipulate me back into your life, right? Well, it won’t work. Even if you corner me, strip me of all my choices, I will not return to you!”
Eric clenched his teeth.
Silence lingered for a beat before he let out a slow breath, his intense eyes still fixed on her.
“We can discuss this another time,” he said evenly, betraying nothing. “For now, get ready. We need to leave.”
“I won’t!” Hadley turned away sharply. If he couldn’t grant her wishes, why should she comply with his demands?
“No?” Eric’s chuckle was dry, completely devoid of amusement. He paused to observe her, his gaze scanning her attire. She wore a simple T-shirt and jeans, with just a hint of makeup—likely, she had been out before this confrontation.
She always managed to look presentable, no matter what she wore.
Eric gave a brief nod, then abruptly stood and moved toward her.
“What are you doing?” Hadley’s instincts screamed danger.
“I’m offering you one final opportunity—stand up and follow me.”
“I won’t—ahh!”
She was cut off mid-sentence as Eric scooped her up effortlessly, as if she were a child.
“Eric! Let me go!” Hadley’s cheeks flushed with both anger and embarrassment. A faint smile played on Eric’s lips.
“Stop struggling. If you’re serious about continuing to dance, you’ll need to come with me.”
Hadley froze. What did he mean by that?
Her confusion gave him just enough time to carry her straight out the door.
Neighbors turned their heads; some muttered under their breath, others pointed, and a few stared openly.
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Hadley’s face burned with humiliation. “Where are you taking me? Let me down—I can walk on my own!”
“I can’t trust you to stay,” Eric responded, shaking his head. “If I let you go, you might run. I’m not in the mood to chase after you.”
Without pausing, he walked her to his car, opened the passenger door, and gently set her inside, securing her seatbelt.
Hadley bit her lip. “Where are we headed?”
With a knowing smirk, Eric replied, “To a place you’ll appreciate. Trust me, you’ll enjoy it.”
The destination took Hadley by surprise.
Though it was her first visit, she was well aware of the studio’s reputation. Lightning Dance Studio was renowned as the premier modern dance troupe in Srixby, celebrated not only locally but also globally.
They had even graced the stage in Blathe once.
Regrettably, their performances were notoriously expensive, and tickets sold out almost instantly, leaving Hadley with no chance to attend a show.
“This place…”