?Chapter 578:


    “Ernest,” Linda said, her voice breaking as tears formed in her eyes.


    “Linda.” Ernest reached out tofort her, taking her hand. “You’ve been through a lot. Rest assured, those responsible will face…”


    “Consequences.”


    “Yes, Ernest,” Eric agreed with a nod.


    “Now, tell me where it hurts the most?”


    “Here… it’s very painful…”


    Feeling out of ce, Eric decided to step outside, gently closing the door behind him. He pulled out his phone to check for any messages from Hadley. Was she avoiding him? Or perhaps too ashamed to face him? Regardless, he knew she’d have to reach out eventually, for Elissa’s sake.


    The following morning, Phillips arrived at Silver Vis to pick up Eric and brought some important news.


    “Mr. Flynn, the police station just called. Miss Harris has withdrawn her charges, and Elissa has been released!”


    “What?”


    Shock shed through Eric’s narrowed eyes, disbelief etched across his face. “How did this happen?”


    Everything had been settled—he’d personally intervened—and regardless of the confusion, Elissa had clearly shoved Linda!


    “The police informed me that Miss Harris dropped all charges.”


    “What did you say?” Eric was even more confused. Had things really unfolded this way?


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    Tension hardened Eric’s features, his voice bing cold with urgency. “We’re going to the hospital—now.”


    “Understood, Mr. Flynn.”


    A loud crash echoed as Eric forcefully swung the hospital room door open.


    “Eric?”


    Linda had barely opened her eyes when she saw Eric storming toward her, his barely restrained fury tightening her chest.


    Smiling nervously, Linda asked softly, “What’s wrong? Who’s managed to make you this angry so early?”


    A cold smile twisted Eric’s lips, and his chilly re intensified the heavy silence in the room. He went straight to the point, voice sharp and using. “Exin why you dropped the charges.”


    “Hmm?” Linda raised an eyebrow in mild surprise before smoothing her hair casually. “Are you referring to Elissa? Hadley visited me yesterday, and well…”


    “Hah.” Eric scoffed, his sarcastic amusement thinly veiled. “You’re saying you suddenly became merciful because Hadley begged you?”


    Linda’s irritation grew steadily beneath his harsh tone.


    Her smile remained carefully controlled as she answered coolly, “Hadley is still a Flynn by adoption, isn’t she? Family members help each other. Since she asked, it was natural for me to consider her feelings.”


    “Stop pretending you care!”


    Eric’s rage erupted, overwhelming any remaining restraint. His voice sliced sharply through the silence. “You think I’ve been blind this whole time? I know exactly how you feel about Hadley. Do you seriously expect me to believe you’d suddenly show mercy just because she asked nicely?”


    “Eric—” Linda faltered, her confidence slipping as her face turned pale. She stared at Eric and said, “You’re right, kindness isn’t in my nature. But if I’d refused her, don’t you think she would’vee running straight to you?”


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