?Chapter 1397:


    He usually preferred to drive himself whenever he came to pick her up, but with his left hand still recovering, the task had fallen to the driver these past few days.


    They sat side by side in the back seat. Suddenly, Eric’s phone rang. Seated close to him, Hadley nced down instinctively and saw the name on the screen: Linda.


    She turned her face to the window, pretending to be absorbed in the passing view.


    Eric’s expression remained steady. Without a second thought, he declined the call.


    Hadley blinked, confused.


    Why was it so quiet? Hadn’t he answered it?


    Before she could ask, her own phone started ringing. She looked down, and her chest tightened. It was the same number. Linda.


    She had the number saved, but never under a name—just a string of digits. Over time, Hadley hade to recognize that number at a nce.


    But why was Linda calling her? Hadn’t she just called Eric moments ago?


    Still holding the phone, Hadley nced at him, confused. He didn’t seem to be reaching for his own. Was he… ignoring her call?


    Hadley swiped the screen to answer, unsure of what to expect. “Hello…”


    “Hadley!” Linda’s sharp voice pierced through. “Are you with Eric?”


    “Yes.” Hadley shot Eric a suspicious look. “If you want to talk to him, why not call him?”


    “Humph! You think I didn’t try? I did! He rejected my call! Can you believe that?”


    Hadley froze.


    Wait… He had rejected Linda’s call? How could that be?


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    Although Eric had once promised to keep his distance and stay by Hadley’s side, he had also made it clear that he couldn’tpletely turn his back on Linda. At the very least, he needed to make sure she was doing well.


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    But now, he had rejected her call without hesitation.


    Hadley didn’t have time to process it, let alone ask him what had changed.


    On the other end of the line, Linda started yelling. “Put Eric on the phone! Hurry up! I said hurry!” Something about her voice wasn’t right.


    Hadley’s brows knitted together in concern. She hesitated for a second and then passed the phone over. “She’s… looking for you.”


    Eric nced at the screen and shook his head. “I’m not answering. Just hang up.”


    He wasn’t answering the call?


    And he clearly meant it.


    Something was definitely wrong.


    Hadley brought the phone back to her ear. “Did you hear that?” She had handed the phone to Eric just now, so Linda should have heard that he refused to take it.


    Hadley then added, “He’s not answering, so I’m hanging up.”


    “Wait! Wait!” Linda’s voice cracked, halting Hadley in her tracks. She sounded like she was crying. “Don’t hang up! Tell Eric I’m hurt! My hand… my hand is injured!”


    Almost immediately, a message notification popped up. Linda had sent a photo.


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