?Chapter 187:


    Hadley tried to speak, her voice rasping. “What now?”


    Eric nced at her quickly, his tone brisk. “Don’t start saying you don’t need my help.”


    “No,” Hadley replied, pausing, then shaking her head decisively.


    Her previous frustrations with him still lingered, but she couldn’t deny her gratitude for his help tonight.


    Avoiding his gaze, she murmured softly, her voice barely audible, “Thank you… for your help.”


    A fleeting spark of something gentler shed in Eric’s eyes, stirring something within him.


    He gave a wry smile. “You’re wee.” Before she could say more, he interjected, “Save your voice. The doctor was clear about resting it. I understand your gratitude.”


    He closed the car door behind her, then made his way to the driver’s side and drove her back to her residence.


    Lennon had given Hadley a couple of days off, so she didn’t need to return to work anytime soon.


    Meanwhile, Eric paid a visit to N at the sanatorium.


    “Arrived at the right time, I see.”


    N had been anxious about Hadley’s supposed boyfriend. She grabbed Eric’s wrist urgently and asked, “Have you looked into him?”


    “What’s the story with Hadley’s boyfriend?”


    “Grandma,” Eric’s face showed a mix of triumph and underlying annoyance. “Drop it. That chapter is closed.”


    “Closed?” N’s expression revealed confusion. “But Hadley said he was good to her.”


    “Good to her?” Eric scoffed, his voice thick with scorn. “The man’s practically old enough to be her father, and he has children—”


    “What?! No, that’s uneptable!” N interrupted, her face turning stern before Eric could continue. “Hadley’s lost her senses. With her qualities, she could pick anyone. Why settle for someone like that?”


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    Eric felt a surge of satisfaction as his grandmother echoed his own sentiments.


    “That’s right. I never supported it.”


    “Good,” N nodded in approval, then continued, “Make sure you handle this correctly. Can Hadley be persuaded by you? If not, I’ll have a word with her.”


    “There’s no need for that,” Eric interjected, raising his hand to reassure her. “Focus on your recovery. I’ve taken care of everything. It’s already over between them.”


    “Is that so?” N’s tension eased upon hearing this. “That’s reassuring… It seems Hadley still retains some judgment.”


    Eric chose not to respond. Some judgment? Without his intervention, that headstrong girl would have continued her misguided path.


    “Eric,” N said, looking at him with approval. “You’ve managed this situation well. Keep watching over Hadley like this, will you?”


    “Understood, Grandma.”


    After leaving the sanatorium, Eric drove directly to West 12th Street. The trunk of his car was filled with items his grandmother had prepared for Hadley—a convenient excuse for his visit.


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