?Chapter 2145:


    “Miss Pearson,” the servant greeted respectfully, setting the bag carefully on the nearby table.


    “Thank you.” Hadley nodded, her tone calm but firm. “Just leave them here. I’ll make sure he eats and takes his medicine. You may return.”


    With a casual wave, she dismissed him, then stepped forward to inspect the food and set the table.


    “Hadley,” Eric called from behind, rising from his desk and walking over to her. She turned, meeting his eyes.


    “Done with work?”


    “Not quite,” Eric replied with a warm smile, reaching out to draw her to his side. “But no matter how busy I am, I always make time for you. Otherwise, what’s all this hard work for?”


    He had long passed the point of needing more wealth.


    Hadley fell quiet, her eyes reflecting the weight of that truth. His return to the Scott family… it had always been for her.


    “Then take a short break,” she said gently. “Let’s eat first.”


    “Alright.”


    Eric picked up his fork, and Hadley used a spare one to serve him a few dishes.


    “You should eat too,” he reminded, ever attentive.


    “I will.” Hadley gave a small nod.


    Knowing she would be visiting, Eric had made sure a fresh sd had been prepared just for her.


    They sat close, the warmth between them palpable. Eric ate quickly but gracefully, his manners intact.


    Hadley, however, was distracted. Her fork moved, but her thoughts were elsewhere, her gaze distant and unreadable.


    gα?ησν????s is where imagination thrives


    Eric noticed her unease. “Something’s on your mind,” he said gently. His brow creased slightly. “Don’t tell me… after this dinner, you’re nning to cut ties with me?”


    “What?” Hadley looked up, startled. “Of course not!”


    Eric’s shoulders rxed, a slow smile easing across his face. “Then I can breathe again. So, what is it you wanted to say? You mentioned something important in your message.”


    “It’s…” Hadley hesitated, biting her lower lip before speaking. “Elissa found out about Addy’s illness.”


    “Hmm?” Eric’s eyes widened, surprise shing across his face. “She did? How?”


    “I asked her,” Hadley replied. “And she told me a man called the ind vi. A servant answered. The man said only one sentence—’Addy Hond is critically ill’—and then hung up.”


    Eric fell silent, his expression sharpening. “Who would do that?” Very few even knew the vi’s number.


    “Could it be someone from the Scott family?” he spected aloud.


    “The Scott family again?” Hadley echoed, troubled. “Could it be Gifford? But how would he even know that Elissa’s on the ind?”


    Eric leaned back slightly, contemtive. “Knowing Gifford? It wouldn’t be that difficult. He managed to get those photos of me, didn’t he? Tracking Elissa would’ve been easier.”


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