?Chapter 1405:


    “Tch.” Hadley red at him, but the corners of her mouth curved into a smile. “Stop talking nonsense. Let’s go. Ernest is waiting.”


    At the entrance, Elissa shifted ufortably. She nced at Ernest and said hesitantly, “I think I should go. This is a family dinner, and I…”


    “Tsk.” Ernest clicked his tongue in disapproval. “Go? Go where? Didn’t you promise me you’d stop backing down?”


    “But—”


    “No buts. Hadley is your close friend. And Eric knows about us. He’ll be happy for me, not angry. Just stay. Rx.”


    “Ernest.”


    “Ernest!”


    At that moment, Eric and Hadley walked up to the front steps. They offered Ernest a polite greeting before turning toward Elissa.


    Eric smiled faintly. “Miss Hond, it’s been a while.”


    Elissa smiled back politely. “Hello, Mr. Scott.”


    Hadley, far more at ease than Elissa, stepped forward with a warm smile and gently linked arms with her. “Let them talk. We’ll chat on our own.”


    Behind them, Eric gave Ernest a knowing look and raised an eyebrow. “So, Ernest… is this official now?”


    Ernest didn’t dodge the question and firmly nodded. “Yes.”


    “Then let’s talk inside.”


    There was still time before dinner. Locke and Joy had disappeared into the toy room, theirughter echoing faintly down the hall. The adults settled into the sitting area, the mood calm and casual.


    Soon, Eric and Ernest began discussing Joy’s schooling.


    “Hadley and I were nning to enroll her in the same school as Locke. That way, Locke could keep an eye on her,” Eric stated.


    “That makes sense,” Ernest replied, nodding. Then, he leaned forward with a serious expression and continued, “If you want her to start next semester, you have to start the preparations now. What about Joy’s nationality?”


    This was a tricky part. Joy was born in the. ording to localw, she held the citizenship by default.


    Ernest exchanged a nce with both of them, then spoke with deliberate care. “Srixby’s admissions system is strict, especially for elite private schools like Locke’s. If Joy is going to be epted, she’ll need to be officially recognized as your daughter, Eric.”


    It wasn’t just about tuition. These schools demanded more than money. They had standards, including parental status, reputation, and financial credibility.


    “Hadley, what do you think?” Eric immediately turned to her for her opinion.


    Hadley hesitated, unsure.


    This was her first time navigating motherhood and making important decisions for her child.


    Years ago, when the Flynn family took her in, she had been sent to a dance academy without much say. It didn’t involve the same challenges they were facing now.


    Now, what should she do?<fnb812> Checktest chapters at FιndNovel</fnb812>


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