?Chapter 446:


    At the entrance of the theater, medics rushed a stretcher, quickly loading another victim.


    “Let’s get to the hospital, fast!”


    Hospital.


    Eric’s eyes flew open, and he bolted upright.


    “Ugh—damn it!”


    A sharp, searing pain tore through his chest, forcing him to clutch his ribs while pressing a hand to his throbbing head.


    “Mr. Flynn!”


    Phillips, who had been keeping vigil at his bedside, sprang to his feet, his face lighting up with relief. “You’re awake! That’s a damn good sign! The doctor said the sooner you wake up, the better your chances.”


    He waved a couple of fingers in front of Eric’s face. “How many fingers, boss?”


    “Tsk!” Irritated, Eric batted his hand away. “Do I look brain-dead to you?”


    Phillips chuckled. “Just covering the bases. You took a nasty hit to the head—a concussion, they said. Gotta make sure everything’s still working upstairs.”


    Eric smirked despite himself. “Please. Even if someone’s brain got scrambled, it sure as hell wouldn’t be mine.”


    His body told a different story. Bandages wrapped around his shoulders, arms, and head—a testament to the explosion that had thrown him off his feet. He looked worse than he actually was, but the pain reminded him that the injuries weren’t just for show.


    He took a steadying breath and cut straight to what mattered. “Where’s Hadley?”


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    “She was brought in too, but—”


    “Good.” Without another word, Eric shoved the covers aside, ready to get up.


    “Whoa, whoa! Mr. Flynn—hold on!”


    Phillips blocked his path, both hands raised in rm.


    “Let me finish! Hadley’s fine. They checked her out, and she was discharged already. But you, sir, are the one who’s actually injured.”


    He gestured at Eric’s right hand. “And you still have an IV in, so maybe—just maybe—you should consider staying put for now.”


    Eric’s gaze flicked to the IV drip. With an exasperated sigh, he leaned back against the pillows.


    As the first light of dawn crept into the hospital room, Eric stirred awake. His body ached from the restless night, and though the IV had finished hours ago, sleep had been elusive.


    He had thought about checking on Hadley, but waking her in the middle of the night felt unnecessary.


    Pushing himself upright, he decided now was the time to move. He shed the stiff hospital gown, recing it with his own clothes. ncing toward the sofa, he found Phillips sprawled out, dead to the world. Eric smirked slightly before silently slipping out of the room.


    Meanwhile…


    A persistent vibration dragged Hadley from sleep. Groggy, she groped under her pillow for her phone and squinted at the screen. With a sigh, she answered, “Hello, Denver?”


    So early…


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