?Chapter 856:


    Could all this be mere coincidence?


    If not, how were these elements connected?


    Eric let go of the doorknob, stepped back, brought out his phone, and dialed Phillips’ number.


    “Mr. Flynn.”


    Eric’s brow furrowed as he instructed firmly, “Head to Evergrand Mall. I bought a set of Minnie Mouse hair clips there. Find out how many have been sold altogether. I need the details of the other buyers.”


    “Understood, Mr. Flynn.”


    After Eric ended the call, his gaze drifted out the window.


    “Eric.” It was Ernest, who had just arrived.


    “Ernest!” Eric called out in surprise. “Perfect timing. Can you stay with Grandma? There’s an urgent matter I must attend to!”


    “Wait!” Ernest reached out and held onto Eric, his face showing a hint of disapproval. “What’s happening with you and Hadley? Did you get her upset again? I’ve warned you before that—”


    “Ernest,” Eric cut in abruptly, his mind swirling with unresolved questions.


    He didn’t have the time to exin to Ernest and simply said, “I’ll exinter. I really can’t talk now! I have to go!”


    “Eric?”


    Ernest watched helplessly as Eric hurried off.


    Eric got into his car and drove directly to Milnd Road.


    He knew Hadley’s address there.


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    Since the first time he had picked her up, he hadn’t returned to her apartment on Milnd Road due to its “inconvenience”—she imed she was sharing the ce with a single mother and her child…


    Could that child be Joy?


    Eric’s hands tightened on the steering wheel as he sped up.


    Upon arriving at Milnd Road, he made a beeline for Hadley’s apartment.


    He stood at the door and rang the doorbell, but there was no answer. His anxiety mounting, he pressed the bell over and over and pounded on the door, calling out, “Hadley, Hadley! Hadley!” Still, he got no response.


    Was no one home?


    Confused and unsure what to do next, Eric’s thoughts suddenly shed back to the time he saw Joy at the park nearby!


    Without hesitating, he quickly made his way to the park.


    The park was lively, with people jogging and stretching, childrenughing and ying, and couples enjoying quiet moments together. Breathing heavily, Eric scanned the area for Joy, but she was nowhere in sight.


    Then, his eyes locked onto a familiar figure—it was Melba, Joy’s nanny!


    “Melba!” Eric called out as he dashed over to her.


    “Mr. Flynn?” Melba, who had been sitting on a stone bench knitting, stood up, startled by his sudden appearance. “What are you doing here?”


    “Where’s Joy?” Eric asked urgently. He paused and then added, “And where’s Joy’s mom?”


    “Huh?” Melba looked confused by his questions but quickly pointed out. “Joy’s mom took her to that dessert shop over there for a drink.”


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