?Chapter 1325:


    “What?” Linda’s face twisted in disbelief, and sheughed mockingly. “You’re defending her? Are you so blinded by infatuation that you’ve lost all sense of right and wrong?”


    Hadley turned her face away, ignoring Linda’s seething re and Eric’s intense stare. She took her seat on the bench beside Elissa. “Ernest.”


    “Ernest!”


    As they sat down, Ernest approached. He had just returned from the doctor’s office after signing some forms. He gave a brief nod and nced toward Eric. “Grandma’s condition isn’t good. She’s been moved to the ICU.” Was it that serious?


    Eric’s expression darkened further. “Is she in danger?”


    Ernest shook his head, his exhaustion evident. “It’s hard to say right now.”


    The two men exchanged a nce, both at a loss for words.


    N was old and fragile, and her heart had always been weak.


    “Her condition doesn’t allow visitors for now. There’s no reason for everyone to wait around. You should all go home and rest,” Ernest said as he looked at Elissa, then Linda. “Elissa, I—”


    “I’ll go with Hadley!” Elissa cut Ernest off before he could finish, clinging to Hadley’s arm. It seemed she already knew what he was about to say. She turned her face away, refusing to meet his eyes.


    “Hadley, is that okay?” Elissa whispered.


    Hadley nced at Ernest and then nodded.


    “Alright.” Ernest let out a sigh and nodded, though the hesitation in his eyes remained. He turned to Eric and advised, “Eric, please make sure Elissa and Hadley get home safely.”


    It was alreadyte, and he couldn’t just leave Linda here alone.


    Eric calmly nodded and assured him, “Don’t worry, Ernest.”


    After leaving the emergency center, Eric and Ernest headed off to bring their cars around. Linda followed behind Hadley and Elissa, apanied by her caregiver.


    “Elissa,e on,” said Hadley, slipping her arm through Elissa’s and shing her a look.


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    “What?” Elissa blinked in surprise. “Didn’t Eric say he’d give us a ride?”


    “He did,” Hadley said with a casual shrug. “But just because he said it doesn’t mean I agreed. He’s free to say whatever he likes.”


    “But…” Elissa hesitated, her tone unsure. “He seemed like he was on your side earlier. I didn’t get the feeling he was siding with Linda.”


    “That’s just guilt talking,” Hadley replied coolly, a faint smile ying on her lips. “And a bit of a performance too—trying to act all noble right in front of me. Do you really buy it? That’s textbook behavior. Honestly, aren’t guys like that the worst? Urgh, disgusting!”


    A few steps away, Linda caught every word. Her expression froze, mouth slightly open in disbelief.


    Did Hadley seriously say that about Eric? What did she think he was?


    “Let’s just go,” said Hadley, tugging Elissa gently. “We can manage without him. We don’t owe him a thing.”


    “Well… okay.” Elissa nodded.<fn50e4> For original chapters go to Find?Novel</fn50e4>


    Hadley seemed set on it, and Elissa didn’t have the heart to argue.


    Not long after, Eric and Ernest both arrived with their cars.


    They stepped out and scanned the area. When they didn’t see Hadley or Elissa, they exchanged a quick look and then turned to Linda.


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