?Chapter 1381:


    Comprehension dawned, and Linda stammered, “N, you… you looked into the ounts?” Why would she do that?


    A cold chuckle escaped N’s lips. “Do I need a justification to review my own family’s finances? I’m asking the questions here, Linda. Now answer me!”


    The color drained from Linda’s face as she gave a weak shake of her head. “That’s not what I meant…”


    “Whatever.” N’s hand cut through the air, firm and final. She was in no mood for deflections—her body might have been frail, but her tolerance for pretense had vanished entirely. Her gaze locked onto Linda, steely and unrelenting. “Answer the question I asked. Now.”


    Linda faltered, her teeth catching her lower lip. Did she truly need to say it aloud? Everyone in the room already knew—she’d overseen the Flynn family’s finances for years. She just never imagined those dusty ledgers woulde back to haunt her.


    N leaned forward slightly, her voice cooling to a bitter edge. “What’s the hesitation? It’s a simple yes or no. Why is that so difficult?”


    Before Linda could respond, a knock sounded at the door. The ss doors offered a clear view, and when she nced up, Elissa spotted Eric on the other side.


    “Perfect timing,” N murmured, unfazed. Her gaze shifted back to Linda, calm but resolute. “Eric’s here. Now you can both speak face-to-face. I want the truth about this ount—and I want it today.”


    The ss door slid open with a soft hiss, and Eric stepped onto the terrace, his footsteps measured. As he passed Linda, a flicker of confusion crossed his face, but he said nothing. He stopped in front of N, gave a polite bow, and smiled warmly.


    “Grandma, how are you feeling?” He gestured toward his left arm, which rested in a sling. “I got injured recently—that’s why I haven’t visited. You’re not mad at me, are you?”


    In truth, he had stayed away deliberately. Hadley hade by a few days earlier, but Eric had worried that his presence might upset N further, so he kept his distance.


    But now, seeing him speak to her just as he always had, without tension or guilt, stirred something in N’s chest. The warmth in his tone chipped away at her lingering doubts. She softened.<fne338> Find the newest release on find{n}ovel</fne338>


    “I’m much better now. And with your hand like that, you should be resting—I couldn’t possibly me you.”


    L?t?st ch?pt?rs in g?lnovels.c?m


    Then, upon turning her attention once more to Linda, her voice regained its edge. “I asked both of you here because I have a question—one I expect a clear answer to.”


    Linda’s shoulders tensed. Her face had grown noticeably pale, her expression stiff with dread.


    “What is it?” Eric asked, brows knitting with concern. “Grandma, go ahead.”


    “Very well.” N wasposed, her every movement deliberate. She reached for a stack of printed documents on the small table beside her andid them neatly before them.


    Her voice was even—almost too calm. “Take a look.”


    Eric leaned forward, curiosity sharpening. He picked up the papers and began flipping through them. Red-ink circles stood out starkly across the pages.


    “Pay close attention to the areas marked in red,” N said quietly.


    Linda nced once and immediately understood. Her body went still. With a quiet exhale, she turned her face away, eyes shutting tight.


    Eric took a bit longer. He studied the pages, his expression shifting gradually from confusion to realization. These weren’tplex business statements—they were the Flynn household’s financial records, far simpler than the corporate ledgers he was used to.


    “Grandma…” Eric finally looked up, lips parted slightly. “These records didn’t add up. They were tampered with.”


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