Chapter 325
“Stop it!” The interruption came from a commanding male voice.
The whole group looked around, startled.
Denver, Eric, Marshall, and Linda were approaching.
Danica’s gaze quickly shifted to Eric, and she murmured under her breath, “Eric…”
It was uncertain if Eric heard her; his face remained stoic, his chin lifted, his eyes lowered.
Denver walked straight up to Hadley, taking her wrist firmly. Hadley stiffened momentarily, her discomfort evident, but she made no move to withdraw.
“You all…” Denver’s eyes were stern as he faced Danica and her group, his anger barely contained. “I want an apology to Hadley, now!”
Danica and her companions were stunned. “Apologize to her? Why should we?”
Denver’s laughter was sharp and dismissive. “You need to apologize because your words were offensive.”
“Offensive?” Danica was doubtful, her eyebrow arching skeptically. “I said nothing wrong. She’s merely an orphan with no clear reason to be here.”
A subtle pull at her sleeve drew Danica’s attention to her friend, who was pointing at Hadley.
To Danica’s astonishment, Denver was clasping Hadley’s hand.
“Wait! You guys are… together?”
“That’s correct.” Denver moved to stand protectively in front of Hadley. “Hadley is my girlfriend, and she has every right to be here tonight, more so than anyone else.”
His gaze swept over Danica and her group. “I suggest you leave now. I will not stand for anyone insulting my girlfriend.” His words struck them like a thunderclap.
The revelation that Hadley was Denver’s girlfriend shocked all but Eric, who showed no reaction.
“Are you all still here?” Denver was unmoved by their shock. “Leave now, or I’ll be forced to call security!” After all, this was his party. It wouldn’t be pretty to cause a disturbance here.
“Alright, we’ll go!” Danica shouted abruptly, glaring at Hadley as she led her friends away. Her friends shared her resentment.
“Can you believe her? After everything with Eric, she now moves on to Denver.”
“Nyla must really favor her for some reason.”
“Poor guy, Denver doesn’t see it…”
Fed up with the gossip, Danica cut her friends off. “Enough, let’s just go. Seriously…”
She stormed off, oblivious to her surroundings until someone gasped in pain. As she looked down, Danica realized with horror that she had trodden on Linda’s foot.
“Linda?” Her complexion blanched as she stammered her apologies. “Oh no, I’m so sorry! Are you hurt?”
Linda hesitated, and just then—
“What do you think? Of course she’s hurt!”
Eric, who stood by Linda like a watcher, fixed a seething look on Danica.
Danica recoiled in shock.
“Eric…” Linda whispered, giving his sleeve a small tug. “I’m really okay. It didn’t hurt that much.”