?Chapter 1246:


    Though he’d returned to the Scott family, there was still no warmth between him and Ferris. Their rtionship remained tense and distant. Eric avoided him whenever possible.


    Ferris sighed. “It’s not me. Your mother’s been asking about you… Think you could visit her sometime? Maybe a dinner?”


    Since thest hospital visit, Milly had been bringing up Eric more and more.


    Eric didn’t respond right away. His gaze drifted downward.


    Ferris continued gently, “Her health isn’t great. She could really use thepany. I know you’re busy, but could you make time for her?”


    Eric looked up suddenly. “How about I move back?”


    Ferris stared at him, startled. “What did you say?”


    “Surprised?” Eric gave a sarcastic smirk. “What, you don’t want me to?”


    “Of course I do!” Ferris’ face lit up, clearly pleased.


    Since Eric had taken over thepany, Ferris had suggested he return to the Scott estate on Olisvale Bay. Eric had always refused—until now.


    “But…” Eric added, “I’m not living with you.”


    Ferris nodded without protest. “You need peace to work and rest. I get it.”


    He and Milly lived in the main house. With her unstable condition and his strained rtionship with Eric, things would only be harder if they lived under the same roof.


    “I’ll have the vi on the south end of the estate prepared for you,” Ferris said after a moment. “It’s quieter there. You’ll have your space, and you can still stop by to see your mother. That work?”


    “Yeah. That works.”


    That evening…


    When the doorbell rang, Melba was still helping Joy with her bath, so Hadley went to answer it.


    It was Phillips, holding out a small bag.


    He nodded in greeting. “Mr. Flynn couldn’t step away from work, but he didn’t want anyone else handling this. He asked me to bring it to you personally.”


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    “Thank you.” She didn’t want to make things difficult for Phillips and epted it without fuss.


    “I’ll take my leave, then. Goodnight.”


    “Thanks again. Goodnight.”


    As she walked back inside, a strange feeling stirred in her chest. She opened the paper bag and looked inside.


    Cough syrup.


    The exact same kind she had knocked out of Eric’s hand that afternoon.


    The next day, Hadley’s cough had eased a little.


    It wasn’t because of the medicine Eric had brought—she hadn’t even opened the bottle Phillipster dropped off. It still sat untouched in her cab.


    That evening, she headed out.


    She was going to meet Elvin.


    After thinking it through, she’d made up her mind about the offer he madest time. She had decided to sign with his studio. She was meeting Elvin today to go over the contract. He had already prepared everything in advance.


    Hadley took her time reviewing it. For a neer, the terms were surprisingly generous. There were no vague conditions, no hidden uses—just a clear, straightforward deal.


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