?Chapter 1356:


    Cordell proceeded to deliver aprehensive ount of the situation, his precise manner leaving no detail unaddressed.


    The revtion emerged—Ferris had personally instructed Cordell to go to Hadley’s apartment.


    “Your father believes Miss Pearson and Joy should relocate to your residence—for your peace of mind during recovery,” Cordell concluded.<fn8ee2> Latest content published on Find?Novel</fn8ee2>


    “Understood. Standby for further instructions,” Eric replied, his expression unreadable. Eric terminated the call with a decisive tap and returned the device to Hadley’s waiting hand.


    “What exactly is happening?” Hadley demanded, having caught only fragments of the exchange. “Is Cordell departing? Melba’s clearly frightened by their presence.”


    “Hadley.” Eric’s gaze softened, tinged with guilt as his eyes traced the contours of her face. “Cordell is there to assist Melba with packing…”


    “What?” Hadley was startled, tilting her head slightly. “What do you mean ‘packing’? For what purpose exactly?”


    She bolted to her feet in a single fluid motion, Ferris’ earlier cryptic statements suddenly crystallizing into meaning.


    “You can’t seriously be pursuing this course of action, can you?” Hadley’s voice carried an edge of incredulity.


    “Please, just listen to my reasoning!” Eric implored, urgency threading through his words. Noting the mounting tension in her posture, Eric captured her hand in his, his grip gentle but unyielding. “In light of recent events, relocating you and Joy to Olisvale Bay represents the most secure arrangement. Surely you don’t want to endure another traumatic incident like this?”


    He could disregard threats to his own well-being with casual indifference, but Joy’s vulnerability was something he couldn’t dismiss. On this asion, Joy had escaped with emotional distress only, but her fragile recovery remained iplete. What terrors might the next incident bring? Could he stake Joy’s welfare on his ability to intervene in time?


    And Hadley… The harsh reality remained that circumstances would inevitably arise where he couldn’t shield both precious lives simultaneously.


    Hadley found his logic impossible to counter, her forehead creasing with troubled contemtion. “But…” The single word hung between them,den with unvoicedplications.


    Cohabitation under these circumstances? The implications weighed heavily—she understood the depth of his sentiments far too clearly.


    Step into a new world at gα?ησν???s?c?m


    “Hadley, I’m not trying to corner you into a decision,” Eric’s voice softened. He captured her gaze with an intensity that made escape impossible, his eyes harboring a universe of unspoken emotions.


    “This arrangement—you and Joy moving in—it’s strictly for protection. I give you my word,” he insisted, his voice dropping to near-whisper. “My personal feelings aren’t relevant here. You understand that I would never—could neverpel you against your wishes, don’t you?”


    On this particr assertion, Hadley ced her faith in himpletely, but she still couldn’t make a decision right away.


    Nearby, Joy’s gaze darted from Eric to Hadley and back again, her small features disying a surprising blend of childish inquisitiveness and preternaturalprehension. Without warning, Joyunched herself into Hadley’s arms. “Mommy!” she eximed, her tiny arms encircling Hadley’s neck with surprising strength. She


    Nestling her head against Hadley’s corbone, Joy’s voice dropped to a conspiratorial whisper. “Don’t let the bad guys bully us anymore, Mommy! Eric can make all the bad guys go away!”


    .


    .


    .