?Chapter 1123:


    Noreen’s expression changed. She staggered, nearly losing her bnce. She stared after Brady’s retreating figure, disbelief washing over her.


    This was her son! The son she had carried for nine whole months and raised like her most precious treasure. And now, he was talking back to her. All for an outsider!


    “What kind of attitude is that, Brady?” Astrid shouted after him, but then sidled up to Noreen, tugging insistently at her sleeve. “Mom, if he won’t buy me a car, you have to! I can’t be treated worse than some outsider, right?”


    “Enough!” Noreen snapped, shaking off her daughter’s hand. “All you ever think about is cars!”


    She hadn’t expected Brady to be this protective of Hadley. Suddenly, a deep unease settled in her stomach.


    Beside her, Astrid ground her teeth in frustration.


    Not only had she not gotten the car, but she had also been scolded all morning. It was all because of Hadley.


    Meanwhile, upstairs, Brady was on the phone with Hadley. “It’s nothing serious. You don’t have to worry.”


    But how could Hadley not worry? “Did they find out about Joy and her condition?”


    “No,” Brady replied, shaking his head even though she couldn’t see him. “But once the surgery happens, it might be hard to keep it a secret.” After all, it was a…


    “Major procedure that required hospitalization and couldn’t be hidden in the shadows. But don’t stress. They won’t affect me.”


    “Alright,” Hadley said. “Thank you, Brady.”


    “Why are you saying that again? I called to reassure you, not to fish for thanks.” Brady’s tone carried both exasperation and warmth. “Watch out for Astrid, though. She followed me today, and she might try something again. If anything happens, call me immediately.”


    “I will. I promise.”


    That afternoon, Joy was fast asleep when the doorbell rang.


    Hadley hurried to answer, wary of waking her daughter.


    As soon as she opened the door, Astrid stood there, arms folded and eyes shing. “Hadley, I finally found you!”


    Astrid had followed them that morning, knowing Hadley lived here but unsure which floor.


    She had searched the building floor by floor until she tracked her down. Hadley frowned, her impatience bubbling to the surface as she stepped out and quickly closed the door behind her. A knot of unease tightened in her chest. “Let’s talk over there.”


    If they stood at the door and Astrid caused a scene, it might wake and scare Joy, which wouldn’t be good.


    “Humph!” Astrid scoffed. “Fine, let’s go.”


    Hadley led her toward the stairwell near the fire escape, a spot that was usually quiet and empty.


    As they walked, Hadley pulled out her phone and quickly sent Brady a message. “Astrid is here.”


    As Brady had expected, Astrid had shown up to stir up trouble again.


    Standing in the stairwell, Hadley put away her phone and faced Astrid. “What do you want?”


    “Listen up!” Astrid lifted her chin, her voice sharp and demanding. “First, hand over the car keys. That’s my car—I’m taking it back! Second, stop seeing Brady! You’ve stirred up enough trouble in my family. He’s my brother, not yours. He has nothing to do with you!”


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