?Chapter 1151:


    “Fine.” Eric swallowed hard and tried to steady himself. “I’m leaving.” Without another word, he turned on his heel and walked out. Bitterness twisted deep in his heart.


    What was he doing? How could he forget? He had promised Hadley he would leave her alone.


    He had kept his distance for so long. But the moment he saw her cry, all his self-control unraveled.


    Eric turned back and nced through the door left slightly ajar. Inside, he caught a glimpse of Denver helping Hadley to the sofa. He was brushing her hair aside, and his fingers gently brushed against her cheek.


    A sharp pain shot through Eric’s chest. He looked away at once and walked off quickly, almost as if he were escaping.


    As Eric drove away from Hadley’s ce, he picked up his phone and called Melba. “It’s me. Everything’s fine now. You can bring Joy back. Alright?”


    After ending the call, he hesitated for a moment, then called Ernest. “Ernest, are you at the office right now?”


    “Yeah, what’s up?”


    “I need a favor.”


    “Come over then. Let’s talk over dinner.”


    “Alright.” Eric hung up, turned the car around, and headed straight for the Flynn Group.


    Noreen had always been trouble. To keep her from stirring up more chaos, he needed someone to keep an eye on Hadley and keep Noreen away.


    As Eric walked into the Flynn Group building, he felt a strange sense of both familiarity and distance.


    Ever since N had him thrown out, he hadn’t set foot here again. But because it had never been publicly announced, only a few close to him knew the truth. The rest of the staff still greeted him with the same respect.


    He made his way to the top floor, straight to the CEO’s office. Then, as he stepped inside, he called, “Ernest.”


    “Yes,” Ernest nodded slightly. “So, have you made up your mind? Are you ready toe back to work?”


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    Eric hesitated, then shook his head. “No. I came to ask if I could borrow Xander and Theodore.”


    Those two had always served as Eric’s personal bodyguards. But since they were officially on the Flynn Group’s payroll, he hadn’t felt right about asking them to follow himtely.


    “Borrow?” Ernest frowned and looked at Eric pointedly. “Do you really have to be that formal with me?” He didn’t ask for details and just let out a quiet sigh. “You’re my brother. That won’t ever change.”


    “Ernest…” Eric felt the weight of those words. “Thank you.”


    “Take them.” Ernest shook his head and reminded him, “And next time, don’t ask. You still have just as much say in thispany and the Flynn family as I do.”


    Just then, the door burst open with a loud bang.


    Both brothers looked up to see N standing at the entrance, her face dark with anger.


    With a sneer, she muttered, “Just as much say as you do? What nonsense are you talking about, Ernest?! Since when does an outsider get a say in the Flynn Group?”


    “Grandma!” Ernest felt a chill run down his spine. He hadn’t expected her to show up out of nowhere.


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