Chapter 73
Chapter 73:
“Morning,” Eric replied with a nod.
“Aren’t you supposed to be at work today? Why are you here? I’ve got everything under control here. You could’ve come after,” he added.
Linda playfully frowned. “No way, Eric. Nyla is as much my family as she is yours. My job doesn’t take priority over her.”
Eric didn’t argue further but instead looked down at Linda’s ankle.
“How’s the ankle holding up?”
“Just a bit sore, but I can manage,” Linda replied nonchalantly.
As they finished their conversation, the elevator doors opened.
Eric held the doors open, gesturing for Linda and her assistant to enter first. After they stepped in, he followed, then looked back at Hadley.
Nodding toward the open elevator, he said, “Come on in.”
Hadley paused, uncertain.
Rather than moving forward, she stepped back. “Just go ahead. I’ll follow shortly.”
What?
Eric’s confusion quickly turned to annoyance. “What are you doing? Get in here!”
His patience was running low. He reached out, intending to guide Hadley inside.
However, Eric stopped mid-gesture, recalling how much Hadley detested being forced into contact. Any physical attempt would surely upset her.
This realization made him reconsider.
“Let’s go, quickly now! Come inside!” Eric tried to encourage her verbally instead.
Hadley firmly shook her head, standing her ground.
“Hadley!”
Eric’s frustration was mounting, his temper on the brink.
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Meanwhile, the elevator seemed indifferent to their quarrel. The doors started closing just before both Eric and Hadley.
“Stop!”
Eric’s attempt to halt the elevator doors was just a second too late. He grumbled softly, “Such a difficult woman!”
Inside, Linda and her assistant shared a look.
“Eric,” Linda said, gently pulling at his sleeve with a reassuring smile.
“Relax. It’s Nyla’s surgery today. Hadley will make it up in time.”
“I understand,” Eric responded, his brow furrowed. “But why is she so hesitant to join us in the elevator?”
Linda’s smile faltered slightly. “Well, it might be my fault. You know we had a disagreement recently, and perhaps she’s avoiding me because of that.”
A disagreement?
Eric’s expression hardened, his voice taking on a chill. “If that’s true, why is she throwing a tantrum now? Hadley should feel ashamed of herself!”
“Let’s not dwell on it,” Linda replied, her face tensing as she attempted to defuse the growing tension.
“That incident was some time ago. I was just upset then. We should put it behind us.”