?Chapter 699:


    Satisfied, Ernest adjusted the cuffs of his suit, already preparing for his next task. There was never just one thing on his te—he still had Linda to check on as well. Without another word, he turned and left, his footsteps echoing down the corridor.


    The room grew still again. Hadley sighed softly, rubbing her temple as fatigue settled over her.


    Time trickled by. The dark sky outside gradually gave way to soft morning light, filtering through the blinds. Eric didn’t stir.


    Hadley checked the time on her phone. It was morning already. With a quiet sigh, she walked to the door, pulling it open—only to find Phillips standing there, about to enter.


    “Hadley?” he said, ncing past her toward Eric.


    “Is there something you need?”


    She shook her head with a polite smile.


    “No, I was just about to leave. I have work, so I need to go.”


    She took a step forward, intending to pass him. But before she could, Phillips reached out and grabbed her arm.


    “Hmm?” Hadley nced pointedly down at Phillips’ hand on her arm.


    “Is there a reason you’re stopping me?”


    Did he really think he could keep her here?


    Phillips stared at Hadley in disbelief before a humorless chuckle slipped out.


    How could she even ask such a thing?


    Though Hadley was important to Eric, Phillips wasn’t in the mood to show any courtesy right now.


    M?????? ???????????????? ???? g????????ν?????? dot con


    He said coldly,


    “You’re not leaving. Flynn will need to speak with you the moment he regains consciousness.”


    “For what?” Hadley asked, genuine confusion in her voice.


    “I’m neither his doctor nor his nurse. There’s nothing much I can help with.”


    Was she being serious?


    Phillips struggled for words, irritation growing stronger by the second.


    “You’re his girlfriend. Mr. Flynn hasn’t even regained consciousness yet, and you’re thinking of just walking away?”


    His tone suggested she had done something terribly wrong.


    Instead of getting defensive, Hadley simply smiled—though her expression carried a touch of bitter amusement—as she nced toward the hospital room.


    “Don’t you know why he is lying in that bed right now?” she asked softly.


    Phillips froze, guilt shing briefly through his eyes.


    Hadley’s smile didn’t waver.


    “He got hurt protecting Linda. Once he wakes up, it’s her he’ll want at his bedside—not me.”


    As she finished, Hadley calmly but firmly pulled her arm free.


    “Will you please let me go now?”


    At aplete loss, Phillips had no choice but to let go.


    .


    .


    .