?Chapter 693:


    He cast a quick nce at Hadley beside him.


    Hadley, ever the light sleeper, was already stirring, though her eyes remained closed.


    “Answer it outside,” she mumbled.


    “Alright,” Eric whispered, slipping out of the room with the phone pressed to his ear.


    “Quentin, what’s the matter?”


    “Mr. Flynn,” Quentin began, his tone apologetic as he ryed the night’s events.


    “Your brother is running on fumes, and Mrs. Flynn insisted I call you. I’m sorry to disturb your rest.”


    After hearing the tale, Eric rubbed his temples, a weary sigh escaping him.


    “I understand. It’s no trouble. I’ll head over right away.”


    “Much obliged, Mr. Flynn,” Quentin replied.


    Eric ended the call and let out a long, burdened breath. For his brother, for Linda, he knew he had to step in.


    But the question lingered—how would he exin this to Hadley?


    He eased the bedroom door open and perched on the edge of the bed, hesitating before speaking.


    “Hadley…”


    Hadley, still facing away from him, her eyes shut, murmured groggily,


    “Done with the call? Can we go back to sleep now? Turn off the light, please—it’s too bright.”


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    “Hadley.” Eric pressed, his voice tinged with unease,


    “I need to step out for a bit.”


    Hadley’s eyes snapped open, and she rolled over to face Eric, concern flickering across her features.


    “At this hour?”


    “Yes,” Eric admitted, taking her hand gently, his tone soft as a whisper.


    “It’s Ernest. He is caught in a bit of a bind.”


    “What’s happened to him?” Hadley asked, her worry deepening.


    “Is he unwell?”


    “No, it’s not that.” Noticing the concern etched on her face, Eric hurriedly shook his head, offering bothfort and rity.


    “Ernest’s health is holding steady, no need to fret.”


    “Then what’s troubling him?” Hadley pressed, her brow furrowing as she sought answers.


    “Isn’t the Flynn Group still under your stewardship?”


    Her question hung in the air, leaving Eric momentarily at a loss for words. He knitted his brows, grappling with how to reply as their gazes locked in a quiet, unspoken exchange.


    Then, like a dawn breaking through the fog, Hadley seemed to grasp the truth.


    A faint, knowing smile tugged at her lips.


    “It’s Linda, isn’t it?”


    Her words were less a question and more a quiet realization, delivered with calm certainty.


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