Chapter 579

Chapter 579:

For a brief moment, Eric hesitated, but then his lips curved into a bitter, knowing smirk. “Perfect! You planned it all along. You knew I was just waiting for her to reach out, didn’t you? And you made sure that never happened.”

“Yes, I did!”

Linda met his troubled eyes with an unwavering stare. Her voice softened, filled with conviction. “Eric, face it—you and Hadley just aren’t right together. Why drag this out? Just end it already.”

“What?”

The shock on Eric’s face froze him. He stood there silently, as though she’d slapped him awake.

Soon, disbelief spilled out as laughter.

“Really, Linda?” His eyebrow curved mockingly. “You think we’re not right?”

“Do you honestly think you are?”

Surprise flashed across Linda’s face at his unexpected reaction, and irritation followed close behind. “Hadley barely tolerates you!”

“And you’re speaking for her now?” Eric snapped back, his voice rumbling with barely restrained frustration. “How could you possibly know how she feels?”

“Seriously?”

Anger darkened Linda’s eyes as she bit her lip in frustration.

“Eric, use your head! Hadley’s the one constantly doubting there’s something going on between us. She never trusted you, never liked you! Tell me, how can feelings even grow from that?”

“Is that right?” Eric wouldn’t budge. He straightened, towering over her in his black suit, its sharp lines accentuating his commanding presence as he eyed her coldly.

Lᴀtｅst chᴀptєrs in g𝑎lnovels.𝒸ο𝑚

“How about you, Linda? Ernest insists there’s no one else, but you refuse to believe him. By your standards, doesn’t that mean you don’t really care for Ernest?”

“You’ve gone too far!” Linda’s composure shattered, tears welling as her voice trembled with grievance. “Have you lost your mind? You’re actually putting Hadley and me on the same level?”

“Why shouldn’t I?”

His eyes narrowed skeptically. “Isn’t that exactly what you’re doing to me?”

“Eric, you—”

Overcome by rage, Linda grasped at her chest, gasping as words failed her.

“Linda.” Eric paused, eyes closed, gathering himself before speaking again. “I didn’t come here intending to fight. There’s something important you need to understand. Years ago, you pulled me back from death’s doorstep. Without your help, I wouldn’t be here today. I’ve repaid you by looking after you and the Flynn family ever since. But gratitude doesn’t entitle you to run my life!”

“Run your life? Is that a joke?”

Bitterness tainted Linda’s laughter. “You’re exploiting Hadley’s closest friend just to make her crawl back to you. That’s manipulation, Eric! You can’t bully someone into loving you.”

Eric visibly stiffened, his composure barely holding together. In a voice disturbingly calm, he replied, “If I’m the one making the move, and I’m satisfied with the result, who gave you the right to judge me?”

Linda stood motionless, stunned. Did he really just say that?

She was at a loss for words, unable to find a rebuttal.

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