?Chapter 771:


    She turned, checking the other rooms one by one. The result was the same.


    “No… something’s not right.” Her face paled as she murmured, shaking her head.


    “What’s not right?” Eric asked, trailing behind her.


    “Where is she?” Linda’s head snapped up as she fixed him with a sharp gaze. “There are obvious signs that someone was staying here! Where did you hide her?”


    The rooms had been tidied—but hastily, as if someone had swept away all traces in a hurry. She was certain of it. That woman, along with everyst belonging, had been whisked out of sight.


    Ernest’s brow creased. “Linda, you’re imagining things. There’s no one—”


    “Ah!” Linda let out a cry of frustration, her chest heaving. “Eric, we’ve known each other since childhood! Can you really stand there and lie to my face? Is your loyalty only to Ernest now? Are you going to help him cover this up and deceive me?”


    “Linda…”


    “Answer me!” Linda’s voice cracked, tears spilling down her cheeks. “I am begging you. Just tell me the truth!”


    “Linda.”


    A measured, deliberate sound echoed through the hallway—Ernesting up the stairs, his cane tapping against the polished floor.


    He reached out and took Linda’s wrist. “What do you expect Eric to say? I let you in. I let you look around. Now enough of this drama.”


    “Drama?” Linda’s breath hitched, and for a moment, she simply stared at him. Then, a bitterugh escaped her lips. “You mean to say I am making a scene out of nowhere?”


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    Her eyes narrowed as she fixed Ernest with an unwavering re. “You got ahead of me—I didn’t catch that woman,” she admitted, her voiceced with cold certainty. “And now I know that after tonight, Ernest will be even more guarded, sealing every possible crack before I can find what I’m looking for.”


    “But Ernest, do not insult my intelligence. You and I both know whether or not you have wronged me.”


    She yanked her hand from his grip, spun around, and strode toward the stairs. Ernest followed.


    “I’ll take you home.”


    “That won’t be necessary.” Without so much as a nce back, Linda took a deep breath, steadying herself. “I do not want to see you—or your beloved brother.”


    With that, she descended swiftly, her figure disappearing into the dim light below.


    The two brothers stood motionless.


    “Quentin.” Ernest’s face darkened as he called out, his voice firm. “Have someone follow her. Make sure she gets home safely.”


    “Understood, Mr. Flynn.”


    At the TV station, forty minutes had passed since the scheduled time, yet Linda was still nowhere to be seen. Restless nces darted toward the clock, murmurs of irritation spreading through the room like ripples on a pond.


    “Is she evening?”


    “Sure, she’s famous, but does that mean the rest of us have no lives? Why should we all sit around waiting for her?”


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