Pausing to think, Linda finally suggested,
“I can change, but I don’t have an extra dress with me. I’ll ask my manager to bring one, though it means I might miss joining Nyla at the party anytime soon.” She looked towards Eric. “Could you inform Nyla?” Linda was on the verge of departing.
“Hold on!”
Eric caught her by the arm. “You can’t just skip it. It’s just unacceptable.”
As a leading actress in the city, Linda wielded considerable popularity and influence.
Moreover, she was engaged to Ernest Flynn, Eric’s elder brother.
Her not showing up tonight would certainly stir the media.
Linda responded with a relaxed smile,
“We didn’t have any major press here today anyway…”
Eric was quick to counter,
“In this era, news travels instantly, even with just a smartphone. It’s essential to stay vigilant.”
“You make a good point,” replied Linda. “Now, what’s our plan?”
Eric’s gaze then shifted to Hadley, who had been silently observing. He finally broke the silence with a stern suggestion.
“Change your outfit.”
Hadley had seen this coming.
Her smile was slight as she nodded in agreement.
“Okay.”
Yet, she had a question lingering.
“What should I wear if I change?”
It dawned on Eric at that moment; she had only brought her current dress, without any alternatives, not even a casual outfit.
Eric was visibly surprised.
“Here’s an idea,” Linda chimed in helpfully. “I’ve got some casual outfits in my car. You’re welcome to pick one for the time being.”
The prospect of wearing Linda’s old clothes made Hadley pause momentarily.
“What’s the issue?”
Eric’s frown deepened, his tone tinged with sarcasm.
“Is there a problem with wearing Linda’s clothing?”
“Not at all.” Hadley shook her head. “It’s just that her clothes are quite pricey, right? I’m concerned about damaging them somehow…”
Her concerns were genuine.
She knew she couldn’t afford replacements.
Eric responded sharply,
“Really? You think you’d be responsible for the costs? Even if so, it would come out of my pocket.”
Reassured by this, Hadley relaxed and turned towards Linda.
“Thank you.”
“Think nothing of it. After all, we’re practically family,” Linda responded, her smile warm as she instructed her manager to bring the garments.
Hadley returned to the lounge room to await the outfit.
As she departed, Eric narrowed his eyes. Something about her seemed altered…
Could it be pretense, or was she truly different?
Eric and Linda then approached Nyla.
“Linda, Eric.” Nyla glanced past them, questioning, “Where is Hadley?”
Eric paused, his expression troubled.
“Nyla.” Linda stepped in, lowering her voice. “Hadley’s a bit under the weather. She’ll be here soon.”
“Really?” Concern creased Nyla’s brow. “Is it anything serious?”
Linda offered a reassuring smile. “She just needs a short break. We should get the party going. The guests are waiting.”
“Alright, then.”
Nyla decided not to delay any further.
“Sorry for the inconvenience, everyone. Hadley needs to rest for a while. Let’s go ahead and start the party.”
The party commenced with Eric and Linda contributing to the vibrant discussions.
Upon her return in different attire, Hadley caught Nyla off guard.
“Hadley, what prompted this outfit choice?”
Hadley was now wearing a casual skirt that accentuated her long legs, contrasting sharply with the formal attire of the other female guests.
“Nyla!”
Before Hadley could elaborate, Linda interjected,
“Earlier, Hadley had a mishap with her dress, so I offered her something from my wardrobe.”
While explaining, Linda discreetly signaled Hadley to remain silent about the real reason.
Eric, positioned just behind Linda, picked up on her subtle hint and leaned in to whisper to Hadley.
His whisper was soft, meant only for their ears.
“Follow Linda’s lead. Remember, you owe her that much.”
Hadley stiffened suddenly. She knew Eric was alluding to an incident from four years earlier…
Indeed, in his perspective, she remained deeply flawed.
Hadley gave a small smile and gently pulled her arm back, quietly going along with what they wanted.
“I admit, it was my own carelessness.”
Nyla exhaled a worried sigh.
“How could you be so careless? Introducing you is now a dilemma. It’s not merely about people misjudging my oversight. It also comes across as disrespectful. How do you plan to mingle with them now?”
She then addressed Eric.
“Isn’t there a spare dress for her? This attire isn’t suitable.”
“Nyla.”
Before Eric could offer a solution, Hadley intervened with a reassuring smile.
“It’s alright. If it complicates things, let’s skip the introductions.”
“What?” Nyla’s confusion was evident.
“How can we overlook introductions at your own welcome home party?”
Not only Nyla, but Eric and Linda also gave Hadley bewildered looks, their expressions filled with curiosity.
Hadley paid no mind to their stares and offered Nyla a reassuring smile.
“Don’t worry about it. Your generosity in arranging this event is more than enough for me. The finer details aren’t important.”
“But…”
Hadley noticed Nyla’s lingering concern and reassured her further.
“There will be other opportunities.”
That seemed to resolve the matter.
Nyla took Hadley’s hand gently and gave it a comforting pat.
“I’m so sorry things unfolded like this.”
“Please, there’s no need for apologies. I’m quite alright.”
As she withdrew her hand, Hadley insisted,
“The guests shouldn’t be kept waiting. Go ahead without me. I’m not quite dressed for the occasion.”
Nyla exhaled a resigned sigh, torn but accepting.
“Look after yourself, and let’s chat later.”
“Of course.”
“Nyla.” With a warm smile, Linda looped her arm through Nyla’s.
“Don’t be upset. Now that Hadley’s here, she’ll have plenty of time to spend with you. Why don’t I accompany you this evening?”
“Nyla.” With a chuckle, Nyla affectionately squeezed Linda’s hand. “I love you too. Both of you are like granddaughters to me.”
They shared a laugh and moved on.
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