?Chapter 1172:


    “Linda,” Eric began, his voice steady.


    “Forget it. I won’t hold a grudge,” Linda said with a lightugh. “Are you free now? When will you be back tonight? I’ve whipped up your favorite dish.”


    “Linda,” Eric interrupted, his brow creasing. “I’m sorry, but I’ll be away for a few days dealing with some personal matters. Take care of yourself, and reach out to Phillips if anything urgentes up.”


    “What’s wrong, Eric? You sound off,” Linda pressed.


    “It’s nothing you should worry about. I’ve got to go,” Eric said, ending the call abruptly.


    Just then, Cordell sent a pinpointed location to his phone.


    Eric’s fingers hovered over the screen, torn. Should he tell Hadley? The thought flickered, but then faded.


    No, he decided. He would wait until he had Brady in his sights. Hadley was teetering on the edge of despair. A false lead would shatter herpletely.


    With a resolute breath, he pressed the elerator, the Bentley surging forward through the unrelenting rain.


    Just past eight-thirty that night, Eric rolled into Dresse Town, where Cordell was waiting.


    The moment the car came to a halt, Cordell slipped inside with urgency.


    “Mr. Scott,” Cordell said, shutting the door with a soft thud. “Our team confirmed Noreen was herest night with Brady.”


    “Any sign of him now?” Eric asked, his voice low but sharp.


    Cordell gave a slow shake of his head, his expression grim. “We’vebed through their old family house, but Brady’s long gone.” He gestured toward the rugged horizon. “Noreen’s clever as a fox. These mountains cradle Dresse Town like a fortress, riddled with nooks and crannies to vanish into.”


    Dresse Town nestled within a ring of rugged mountains, cradled in a basin-like embrace.


    Eric gazed out, his mind churning, his face etched with resolve.


    “Mr. Scott,” Cordell continued, “our people arebing the area, but it’ll take time.”


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    Eric remained silent, lost in thought.


    Brady was Noreen’s son—her sole aim was to halt the surgery, not to harm him.


    After Hadley’s sh with her, Noreen likely feared revealing Brady’s location, so she had gone to ground.


    Hadley’s efforts to track her had hit a dead end, but Noreen wouldn’t abandon her boy.


    If she couldn’t act herself, she would surely enlist a trusted ally.


    After a long pause, Eric turned to Cordell.


    “Keep tabs on anyone tied to Noreen—rtives, old friends, ssmates, anyone around her age who might be in her circle. She’s got help.”


    Cordell nodded, catching his drift. “Understood. I’ll get it rolling.” He stepped out of the car, already issuing orders.


    Eric sank back into the seat, eyes fluttering shut. He had barely snatched two hours of sleep since the night before.


    His nerves were frayed, a dull ache pulsing in his temples.


    Exhausted yet sleepless, every time he closed his eyes, Hadley’s tear-stained face and Joy’s innocent, puzzled look haunted him. Late that night, Cordell returned, rapping on the car window.


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