?Chapter 618:


    Eric frowned and asked Hadley, “Do you know who those people were? Why did they take you?”


    “I’m not familiar with them,” Hadley replied, her voice weak. “They nned to takepromising photos to use as leverage against me.” Her statement was urate but didn’t reveal everything.


    Eric scoffed at the audacity. Were these people that desperate for money?


    “Don’t worry. We’ll track them down as long as they’re still in Srixby.”


    “Uh.” Hadley winced suddenly, gripping Eric’s arm tightly. “It’s really painful.”


    Startled by her pain, Eric turned to his subordinate sharply. “Stop staring and bring the car over now!”


    “Right away, Mr. Flynn!”


    As Eric helped Hadley toward the vehicle, he asked cautiously, “Can you make it on your own, or should I carry you?”


    Overwhelmed by pain, Hadley slumped into his arms, unable to maintain her bnce.


    What now?


    In a state of high alert, Eric reassured her, even though he was careful not to touch her sore shoulder. “Tell me exactly where you’re hurting?”


    Eric noticed Hadley clutching her stomach in agony.


    What had those two done to her? Could they have harmed her stomach?


    He immediately lifted her into his arms.


    “Eric!”


    Curled up in his embrace, a wave of fear washed over Hadley. The intense pain in her lower stomach sparked a horrifying thought… her child might be in danger.


    ?????? ???????? ?????????? ????: g????????ν????????????


    Gripping Eric’s shirt tightly, her voice filled with desperation, Hadley pleaded, “Please, hurry to the hospital! Save me, Eric! Please!”


    “Hang tight!” Eric’s voice cracked with urgency, sweat streaming down his temples. “We’re heading to the hospital immediately! You’ll be okay—I swear I’ll protect you. Nothing bad will happen on my watch!”


    He barely waited for the car door to close before his subordinate took the driver’s seat, swiftly starting the engine.


    Eric’s fingers trembled slightly as he dialed Phillips’ number.


    “Phillips! Alert the medical team—we need surgeons, specialists in orthopedics—”


    “And obstetrics!” Hadley’s voice sliced through his instructions sharply.


    Eric froze, phone nearly slipping from his grasp.


    “Hadley, wait—what did you just say?”


    Time seemed to stretch unbearably as she met his gaze, eyes glistening with urgency and fear. She hadn’t nned to reveal this, especially not now—but silence was no longer an option.


    If she stayed quiet, she risked losing the fragile life growing inside her. She knew the risk, knew Eric likely hadn’t nned for this child—but desperation overshadowed her.


    Grasping his sleeve tighter, her voice shook, raw with pleading.


    “Eric, please… You have to save my baby! I understand if you don’t want this child—I’ll take full responsibility and raise the child alone. I won’t ask anything from you, I promise. But please, help us!”


    Her voice dissolved into a sob, her free hand gently cradling her abdomen.


    .


    .


    .