?Chapter 1385:


    “Yes.” Eric nodded.


    N sighed again and again. “You must take care of Hadley. She’s endured so much…”


    Her voice trembled. Her eyes reddened.


    “It’s not just been a week—or a few months. It’s been four long years.” She paused, then suddenly gripped his hand. “Do you remember? When Hadley first came back, I kept saying she was different?”


    Eric hadn’t thought much of it at the time. But now, it was impossible to ignore.<fna71c> Updates are released by find·novel</fna71c>


    It wasn’t just N. Marshall and Barrie had said the same. Even he had felt it. Hadley had changed so much. Quiet. Guarded.


    “She hasn’t changed because she realized her mistake like we thought.”


    N’s eyes filled with tears. “She thought we abandoned her…” She clutched Eric’s arm, her voice shaking. “Would Hadley think it was my idea to cut off her allowance? Huh?”


    “Grandma, no…” Eric shook his head, frowning deeply. “You’ve always loved her. She knows that.”


    “Does she?” N looked doubtful. “Hadley’s so stubborn. She never got a cent for years—and still said nothing?” She buried her face in her hands and wept.


    “Grandma.” Eric ced a hand on her shoulder. “You’re too upset. You need to rest. Come on, I’ll help you to your bed.”


    “Alright.” N nodded. Her body had grown too tired to resist. She let him help her lie down.


    “Eric.” She held his hand. After a pause, she spoke quietly. “This is no small matter… Call Ernest. He’s the head of the family now. Let him handle them.”


    “I understand. Rest well, Grandma.”


    Eric turned and stepped out, gently closing the door behind him. The moment it shut, it felt like a mountain copsed on his back—crushing, brutal, and breathless. And underneath the weight, something sharper pressed in. Pain. Constant. Piercing. Without end.


    Eric stood by the doorway, phone in hand, swiping open the dial pad. “Ernest. It’s me… I’m at Grandma’s… Listen, I need to tell you something… Alright, I’ll wait.”


    He ended the call and slipped the phone into his pocket.


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    The terrace door stood wide open when Linda wheeled herself in. She moved straight toward him. Her eyes drifted toward the bedroom. “How’s N?”


    Eric’s expression tightened. He said nothing at first. Then he answered, “She took her medicine. She’s doing better.”


    “That’s good.” Linda gave a short nod and started pushing the wheelchair toward the room. “I’ll check on her—”


    “No need.” Eric stepped forward and stopped her. His hand rested lightly on the handle of her wheelchair, but the look in his eyes was firm. “She needs to rest. And I don’t think now is a good time for you to go in.”


    “Not a good time?” Linda froze. Her gaze lifted to meet his with a cold smirk. “Are you saying I’d harm N?” Her voice dipped. The faint smile vanished.


    “So now that I cut off Hadley’s allowance, you’ve made your judgment? Is that it? You think I’m some heartless monster who’d hurt the woman who raised me?”


    Eric shook his head. “I never said that.”


    “Ha!” Linda let out a bitterugh, her eyes pinned on his face. “But that’s what you’re thinking. Isn’t it? Eric, you also believe I was wrong?”


    “Weren’t you?” His voice rose, stunned by her defiance.


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