Chapter 501

Chapter 501:

The next morning, Hadley had the luxury of time—she didn’t need to be at the studio until the afternoon. Eric, however, had a trip to make to the neighboring city. They left together, and when they reached Mayfield Road, he pulled the car to a stop.

“I’ll pick you up at noon the day after tomorrow,” he said.

“Okay.” Hadley nodded, giving him a small wave before stepping onto the sidewalk. She stood there, watching as his car pulled away.

In the driver’s seat, Eric found himself glancing at the rearview mirror—again and again. His lips curled into an involuntary smile. He couldn’t help it.

Strange… He had been married before. To this very woman. Yet only now was he experiencing the small, subtle joys of being with someone—the quiet warmth, the unspoken connection. It was unlike anything he’d felt before.

As his thoughts drifted, his phone buzzed with a new message.

It was a message from Hadley.

After all, she had been using him for her own agenda. Letting him gain something in return was only fair.

Checking the time, Hadley slung her backpack over her shoulder and left her apartment, heading for Mayfield Road. She didn’t have to wait long. A sleek black sedan pulled up, and the window rolled down.

Sebastian stepped out, his usual polite smile in place. “Miss Pearson,” he greeted, holding the door open for her. “Apologies for the delay.”

“It’s fine.” She slid into the car effortlessly.

Sebastian shut the door behind her, took his seat, and steered them toward a fashion boutique—the one reserved for the Flynn family’s custom-made banquet gowns. Inside the boutique…

𝘽𝙤𝙤𝙠 𝙝𝙤𝙨𝙩𝙚𝙙 𝙖𝙩 𝙜𝙖𝙡𝙣𝙤𝙫𝙚𝙡𝙨Ⳓ𝙘𝙤𝙢

The sales assistant’s expression turned uneasy as she spoke hesitantly to Linda. “Miss Harris, I’m sorry, but this dress isn’t for sale.”

“Not for sale?” Linda arched a brow, tilting her head slightly. “What’s so special about it? It’s still hanging here, isn’t it? That means, it isn’t taken yet.”

The sales assistant hesitated. “Well…”

Linda’s lips curved into an easy smile. “How about this?” she suggested smoothly. “I won’t waste your time—name your price. I’ll pay double for it.”

As she spoke, her fingers grazed the fabric, her appreciation evident. “It’s stunning. Completely my style.”

The sales assistant shifted uncomfortably. “Miss Harris, your original dress is also exquisite…”

“But I prefer this one,” Linda interrupted, her tone light but firm. “I won’t make things difficult for you. Just contact the owner and let me speak to her directly. That’s fair, isn’t it?”

“Well…”

The sales assistant remained caught in a dilemma—until she spotted Sebastian stepping inside, holding the door open as Hadley walked in.

It was Hadley’s first time visiting this particular boutique, so the sales assistant didn’t recognize her immediately. However, she had arrived right on schedule, and with Eric’s instructions fresh in mind, the sales assistant quickly put two and two together.

“Hello!” the woman greeted, offering a polite smile. “You must be Miss Pearson, I presume?”

“Yes,” Hadley replied with a soft nod.

The sales assistant’s expression eased with confirmation. “Welcome, Miss Pearson. Mr. Flynn has already arranged for your dress. It’s ready for you.”

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