?Chapter 2748:


    “No owies.”


    “That’s right.” Eric grinned, giving her a firm nod.


    “Daddy didn’t lie to you—I’m really all better now.”


    “Mm!” Trusting himpletely, Joy’s little heart held no more doubt.


    “Come here, up you go.” Eric wrapped his arms around his daughter and lifted her high into his warm embrace.


    “I’m hungry,” Joy whispered, her cheek resting against his shoulder.


    “Is that so?” Eric chuckled lightly.


    “How about some ice cream caketer, hmm?”


    “Yay!” Joy’s face lit up, her eyes sparkling with delight.


    “But first…” Eric carried her toward the bathroom.


    “We wash your face and those little hands.”


    When Hadley returned, the garden was filled with the sound ofughter—Eric was ying with Joy beneath the fading sun. She didn’t intrude, simply stood quietly at the edge of thewn, watching.


    It was Eric who spotted her first. Leaning toward Joy, he whispered, “Look—Mommy’s back.”


    “Mommy? Mommy!”


    Joy’s head whipped around, and she bolted toward Hadley with open arms.


    “Slow down!” Hadley crouched just in time to catch the little whirlwind.


    “You’re all sweaty… Let’s wipe that off.”


    Eric followed with a towel, ready in hand.


    Joy tilted her chin obediently, letting her father pat her face dry with gentle care.


    The two moved as if in perfect sync, a picture of unspoken harmony.


    As he dabbed at Joy’s cheeks, Eric nced up.


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    “How’s work? Done already? That was quick.”


    “Yes.” Hadley offered a faint smile.


    “Let’s go see N.”


    “Alright.” Eric hoisted Joy back into his arms with ease.


    “Off we go!”


    Inside the main house, N sat waiting in the living room. The moment she saw them—a family of three—her eyes softened with joy, though she couldn’t help teasing.


    “Oh my, and who do we have here?”


    Feigning surprise, she raised a brow.


    “Well, well… Mr. Scott himself? Strange—what brings a busy man like you here today?”


    “I am busy,” Eric replied with yful indignation.


    “But Grandma, I missed you—so much! Busy or not, I had toe.”


    “You rascal!” N broke into warmughter.


    “Since when did you learn to sweet-talk like that?”


    Eric had always been such a delight. Though not her blood, how much joy had he brought into her life over the years?


    “Will you stay for dinner?” she asked.


    “Of course.” Eric’s grin widened.


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