Chapter 396

Chapter 396:

As he turned to leave, something fell from his pocket…

Linda was about to call out to him when she noticed it was… a pearl hair tie?

Why would Eric be carrying a woman’s accessory?

Linda’s brow creased as she lifted the hair tie, which appeared new.

Ernest, from behind her, let out a raspy noise.

“I’ll be right there.”

Snapping out of her brief daze, Linda gathered her hair, using the hair tie to secure it.

“Can’t wait any longer? Let’s start your hair wash.”

Eric returned to his room, only to realize the new hair tie he bought for Hadley was missing. What happened? Where did it go?

He rummaged through his belongings and even checked his car, to no avail.

The possibility of leaving it in Ernest’s room crossed his mind.

He hesitated to intrude there now.

Resigned, Eric planned to purchase a replacement later.

By seven o’clock in the evening, Hadley was applying her makeup, gearing up for a performance.

“Hadley.” Elissa entered, gesturing toward the door. She whispered, “There’s a very attractive man outside waiting for you.”

Realizing who it must be, Hadley responded firmly, “Elissa, please tell him I’m not available to meet him and ask him to leave.”

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“Huh?”

Elissa was momentarily stunned, but then nodded. “Alright.”

She walked toward Denver, who was waiting at the door expectantly.

As Elissa approached, Denver’s face fell, and the disappointment was evident.

“She doesn’t want to see me, does she?”

Disappointment was inevitable.

But Denver had braced himself for it—it was nothing unexpected. He extended the bag toward Elissa, his expression unreadable.

“Can you give this to Hadley?”

“Yeah, of course.”

She accepted it without hesitation, her eyes flicking to the logo—Red Shell Bistro. A bag full of desserts.

“Appreciate it.” Denver offered a faint smile, barely there. “I should get going.”

“Alright. Take care.”

A curt nod. “Yeah.”

Elissa watched as he walked away, exhaling softly before turning on her heel and making her way backstage.

Elissa set the bag down in front of Hadley with a casual tap.

“Here. He dropped this off for you—desserts from Red Shell Bistro. Fancy stuff.”

Hadley stared at the bag, an unshakable heaviness settling in her chest.

“Hadley?” Elissa hesitated, then leaned in just a little. “Are you… avoiding him? He seems nice—polite, even. What’s the problem? Don’t you like him?”

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