?Chapter 116:


    “Hadley.” N reached out, grasping her hand, tears streaking her face. “Why didn’t you tell me what you’ve been going through?” She thrust Hadley’s phone toward her, her voice wobbling. “Cristian has been calling nonstop about the divorce papers!”


    A chill ran through Hadley, her dread evident.


    Eric, puzzled and anxious, arrived swiftly. “Grandma, what’s the emergency?”


    He was still piecing together the situation.


    Eric’s expression shifted to one of unease as he observed N, who appeared unharmed but visibly upset, and Hadley, who stood silent and tense.


    N’s voice cut through the air, sharp andmanding. “Eric,e here now!”


    “Understood.”


    The urgency in his grandmother’s voice was something Eric couldn’t overlook, prompting him to drop all his ns and rush to her side.


    “Grandma…” Eric tried to speak as he approached. But no sooner had hee close than a sharp pnded across his face, taking himpletely by surprise.


    It was N who had struck him, her expression stern.


    “Grandma?” Eric, bewildered and rubbing his cheek, stared at N. “Why did you hit me?”


    “You brat! That’s why!”


    N’s stern expression was one Eric hadn’t seen in years, giving him an uneasy feeling. “You think you can just do whatever you want now, Mr. Flynn?”


    “Grandma, I don’t understand. What’s the issue?”


    Eric was genuinely confused. N had stepped back from thepany’s daily operations and left household decisions to Linda long ago.


    “Grandma, could you rify what you mean…”


    Then, realization hit Eric. His gaze quickly shifted to Hadley, who was standing there, conspicuously silent, deliberately avoiding eye contact.


    Hadley kept her eyes downcast, unwilling to meet Eric’s gaze.


    “Hadley, is it you?” Eric snapped, his voice growing harsher.


    “Stop right there!” N interjected sharply, her voice booming like a sudden storm. “How dare you speak to Hadley that way? You’re the one who pushed her away. How is this her fault?”


    The truth was now apparent.


    Eric’s features stiffened with the unfolding reality. He fixed a hard stare on Hadley. “What happened to the agreement we had? You promised me, and now you’re going behind my back? Bringingints to Grandma?”


    N was already aware of the situation, so Eric saw no point in continuing to conceal it.


    Hadley tried to speak, but the words failed her.


    “What can I even say?” Hadley wondered silently.


    It was never her intention for N to discover things this way. Leaving her phone unattended had been a careless mistake, but she really should have been more careful and kept her phone with her.


    “I’m sorry,” Hadley said softly, her head bowing.


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