?Chapter 45:


    This wasn’t just another minor issue—it was serious.


    Grinding his teeth, he grabbed his keys and stormed out, heading straight for the police station.


    The city was eerily quiet at this hour, with the roads nearly deserted.


    Eric arrived at the station in under thirty minutes.


    Just as he stepped forward, a young officer blocked his way. “This area isn’t open to just anyone. Who are you?”


    “They called me in.”


    His expression remained impassive, his gaze unwavering. “I’m here for Hadley Pearson. I’m her… friend.”


    “Hadley Pearson? Very well, go ahead.”


    The officer granted him entry and shouted back into the station, “Someone’s here for Hadley!”


    “Really? Send them through!”


    Seated inside, Hadley was taken aback. Who could it be?


    She turned in confusion, only to meet Eric’s stern visage, which only deepened her bewilderment. Why was he here?


    Eric’s expression was grave, his demeanor cold.


    “Hadley, tell me the truth. Did you orchestrate this? Are you trying toplicate my life now? Is this your way of holding on to me?”


    The situation was painfully reminiscent.


    Four years ago, with Linda’s incident, Eric had simrly rushed to judge, jumping to conclusions without understanding the full story or knowing all the details.


    Hadley parted her lips to speak but then chose silence.


    Let him think what he pleased.


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    Their paths would soon divergepletely, leaving no connection between them. His opinion of her was irrelevant.


    “Are you going to say anything?” Eric let out a short, bitterugh when Hadley remained silent. “I must have hit the mark, huh? Grandma actually thought you’d changed, that you’d grown wiser! How ridiculous!”


    For a moment, even he had believed she had changed. But clearly, it had all been an act.


    A police officer finally intervened, pulling Eric aside. “Sir, please calm down. Let me exin the situation first.”


    “Fine.” Eric exhaled sharply, forcing himself to rein in his temper. “Go ahead.”


    The officerid out the details before adding, “Our rmendation is a private settlement. A smallpensation fee, and the case is closed. There’s no concrete evidence, and honestly, taking this to court would be a pointless drain of time and money. It’s just not worth the hassle, wouldn’t you agree?”


    Processing the information, Eric fell into a contemtive silence. His eyes flicked toward Hadley. Was this really how things had yed out?


    Had some biker actually harassed her, and she had only acted in self-defense? She wasn’t deliberately stirring up trouble?


    Reconsidering the situation, it was only because he hadn’t given her a ride that she ended up crossing paths with that thug…


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