?Chapter 1105:


    “It’s time for your medicine,” Ernest said, offering the pills and water. Though N’s health had improved since leaving the hospital, a quiet sadness still lingered in her eyes due to Eric’s departure.


    “Alright,” she murmured, taking the medicine.


    Trying to follow through on Eric’s request, Ernest gently encouraged, “Grandma, you shouldn’t stay indoors all day. Why not go out for tea with your friends or take a walk?”


    N waved a hand dismissively. “It’s hard to find a real friend at my age.”


    Ernest nodded. “You’re right. You and Hadley’s grandmother were close… but sadly she passed away.”


    A deep sigh escaped N. “It’s been ten years since re left us.”


    “Grandma,” Ernest said thoughtfully, “when you took Hadley in, was it because she had no one else?”


    The question gave N pause. Her expression shifted, a flicker of coldness crossing her face. “She had rtives, but none worth mentioning. They were worthless.”


    Ernest blinked, surprised. “Really? I was just asking offhand. Who are they?”


    “They don’t deserve to be talked about,” she said with a scoff.


    “Come on, Grandma. You know I care about Hadley just as much as you do. You can tell me—I won’t tell anyone.”


    After a moment, she sighed again and relented. “Fine. Hadley’s mother indeed died when she was very young. But her father… her father is still alive. But he might as well be dead!”


    Ernest’s brows rose in surprise.


    Meanwhile, at Milnd Road, Eric sat in his car, waiting.


    His phone rang. He answered instantly. “Ernest? Did you find anything?”


    “I did,” Ernest replied, his voice low. “Hadley’s story… it’s heartbreaking.”


    Eric’s grip on the steering wheel tightened. “What did Grandma say?”


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    “She said Hadley’s mom died when she was little, but her dad’s still alive. After her grandmother passed, Hadley went to him—he was her only family. She was only fifteen—still in school, barely managing on her own. But instead of taking her in, he kicked her out.”


    Eric’s eyes mmed shut. His jaw clenched. “Bastard,” he hissed.


    “Grandma took her in after that, out of sympathy and because of her friendship with Hadley’s grandmother. But really, Hadley has suffered far more than we realized.”


    Ernest sighed heavily. “Eric, we really should have done better. She’s as much family as anyone.”


    “I know,” Eric whispered, throat tight.


    After they hung up, Ernest sent one more message. “Her father’s name is Cade Jenkins. He’s a college professor.”


    “Cade Jenkins?” Eric repeated the name slowly, frowning. It sounded familiar.


    He opened his chat history with Phillips and scrolled through the files. There it was. In the background check Phillips had done on Brady, his father was listed—Cade Jenkins.


    It was the same man.


    The report hadn’t gone deep—it was only a basic summary when Eric was merely interested in Brady back then, believing he was Hadley’s new boyfriend.


    Now it was clear. Brady wasn’t Hadley’s new boyfriend at all. He was her brother.


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