?Chapter 1404:


    By seven that evening, Hadley wrapped up her scenes. Eric arrived right on time.


    Earlier, he had arranged for someone to pick Joy up from Olisvale Bay and bring her to Scott Group headquarters. After finishing his meetings, he brought Joy along to the film set.


    As soon as Hadley stepped outside, Eric got out of the car and opened the door.


    “Mommy!” Joy sat in the backseat, holding her doll. She stretched her arms out excitedly at the sight of her mother. “I came to pick you up!”


    “Thank you, Joy.”


    Hadley slid into the seat and hugged her daughter tightly. She smiled and asked gently, “Did you eat well today? Are you feeling okay? Did you take a nap?”


    “I did all of that…”


    Joy answered each question earnestly, curled in her mother’s arms. Eric watched in silence, warmth spreading in his chest. He didn’t say anything—just let the moment unfold.


    The car pulled away from the city and headed toward Flynn Mansion. Two days earlier, Eric and Ernest had agreed over the phone—tonight, they would return to Flynn Mansion for dinner.


    From a distance, the Flynn Mansion came into view. Its tall iron gates parted slowly. The car glided through without pause and eased to a stop in front of the grand main building.


    Before anyone could speak, Eric instinctively reached over and picked up Joy.


    Hadley nced at him and frowned. “Joy’s a big girl now. She doesn’t need to be carried all the time.”


    “Nonsense! She’s still little,” Eric stubbornly said. “And don’t forget, she just had surgery. She’s still recovering.”


    Without waiting for a reply, he stepped out of the car with Joy in his arms.


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    Hadley sighed helplessly. He was spoiling their daughter again. The girl was already used to his coddling, and this wasn’t helping.


    At the entrance of the house, Ernest stood waiting, with Elissa and young Locke on either side of him.


    “Daddy!” Spotting Joy from afar, Locke tugged on Ernest’s sleeve.


    Ernest gave him a nod. “Go on.”


    “Okay!” Locke bolted forward. As he ran, his little legs pumped hard, and his arms waved through the air. “Joy!”<fn9a7f> Th? link to the orig?n of this information r?sts ?n find?novel</fn9a7f>


    Eric set Joy down and gave her an encouraging smile. “Locke came all this way to greet you. Go.”


    “Alright…”


    Before Joy could say anything more, Locke had already reached her with a bright smile. After a moment’s hesitation, he reached out and took her hand. “Joy, let’s go inside. I got you a gift. And there are so many snacks waiting for you, too!”


    “Wow. Really?” Joy’s eyes lit up, and her lips curved into a delighted smile. “Thank you, Locke!”


    Hand in hand, the two children headed toward the entrance.


    Eric turned to Hadley and caught the faint crease between her brows. With a knowing chuckle, he leaned closer. “Joy’s a girl, and girls deserve a little extra care. Don’t worry. When she’s older and stronger, we’ll raise her the way you want. If she ever misbehaves, I’ll take the me too. You can scold both of us.”


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