?Chapter 1131:


    “Get out!” she cried, her voice breaking. Her breathing grew ragged. “I said get out!”


    “Ah!” Overwhelmed by pain, Hadley grabbed her head, tears streaming down her face.


    Brady burst through the door, his presencemanding as he moved swiftly toward Hadley and Eric. Denver also closed in rapidly.


    Brady snapped, “Why are you here, Eric?”


    Denver also asked, “What have you said to Hadley? What’s causing her distress?”


    “Hadley!” Denver gently sat beside her on the bed, pulling her into an embrace. “It’s me, Denver. Don’t worry. I’ll get him to leave. He won’t bother you anymore.”


    “Why are you still here?” Brady’s voice was filled with contempt as he confronted Eric. “Hadley wants you gone!”


    Eric’s face hardened, his expression one of restrained anger. He took onest look at Hadley before turning to leave.


    As the door of the room clicked shut behind him, Eric closed his eyes in resignation. Hadley clearly did not want his presence, even briefly. Although she could avoid him, he found it impossible to simply walk away.


    As he turned to Cristian, Eric’s expression was one of concern. “Cristian, there’s something important we need to discuss.”


    “Go ahead.”


    “Could there be a witness, even if there’s no camera footage to clear her name?”


    “A witness?” Cristian looked puzzled. “How would a witness suddenly appear?”


    His own investigation had turned up no witnesses.


    Eric quirked a smile. “Believe me when I say there’s a witness.”


    Cristian’s eyes widened. “You mean to say—No way!”


    “Are you really that shocked?” Eric gave him a knowing look. “Come on. Your career wasn’t built without a few shrewd moves.”


    Cristian had to admit that much was true.


    His curiosity piqued, he probed further. “Do you really trust herpletely? It’s not beyond the realm of possibility that she shed with Astrid.”


    Discover tales at g ? ln σν?? ?? s,


    “If she ims she didn’t, then I believe her!” Eric cut in, visibly annoyed. “Leave it to me. If things go south, pretend you were out of the loop, and I’ll shoulder the fallout.”


    “Slow down. Rushing could lead us into legal hot water for obstructing justice! Lawsuits are a headache, but we’re not going to lose.”


    “There’s no time,” Eric said, determination in his voice as he pressed on. “Hadley is already in a state of panic! Moreover, I’ve assured Joy that Hadley will be back home by tomorrow. I can’t afford to fail Joy or break my promise!”


    Abruptly, the door to the hospital room swung open, and Denver emerged, his expression unreadable. “Hadley’s IV drip is nearly done. I’m going to call the nurse.”


    “Alright.”


    Cristian moved to the side, watching Denver walk away, and then turned to Eric. “Do you think he overheard our conversation?”


    “It doesn’t matter if he did,” Eric replied, lifting an eyebrow casually. “He’s on our side when it concerns Hadley.”


    “Indeed.”


    The following morning, Astrid awoke to find Noreen assisting her with her morning cleanup and handing her a ss of water.


    There was a knock on the hospital room door before Cristian walked in, apanied by his assistant.


    .


    .


    .