?Chapter 2773:


    She darted after his retreating figure.


    “Hold on…” N tried to stop her, but then let it go with a sigh. Turning her head, she studied Ernest carefully. Studying him closely, she asked, “Were you aware of this all along?” His calm demeanor betrayed no surprise.


    “I am,” Ernest confirmed with a nod.


    “Though I only learned of it recently.”


    A sudden harshugh slipped from N.


    “Then tell me, who is this Ellis guy? How long has he been with Hadley?”


    “Not long,” Ernest replied, giving a brief rundown of everything he knew.


    N huffed in frustration.


    “Where is Eric? Bring him here at once!”


    “Grandma?” Ernest hesitated uneasily.


    “He’s already in a fragile state…”


    “I said bring him!”


    “I will.”


    Hadley hurried after Ellis, who, in truth, had expected her to follow and lingered in wait.


    They didn’t wander far—only to thewn before the main house.


    Though Hadley rarely lost her temper, this time her anger was undeniable.


    “Ellis, how could you show up at my home without even asking me first?”


    “Forgive me. Are you upset with me?” Bowing his head, Ellis watched her with quiet guilt.


    Hadley’s frustration burst out in sharp sarcasm.


    “What do you think? Should I be celebrating instead?”


    Ellis held her gaze unflinchingly.


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    “At the very least, you don’t need to be this furious.”


    Hadley’s eyes widened in disbelief. How could he expect otherwise?


    “We’re supposed to be building a rtionship that leads to marriage,” Ellis said, lifting a hand to his brow with a weary gesture.


    “So why is it wrong for me to visit Mrs. Flynn?”


    His tone grew heavier, his face shadowed.


    “Unless, deep down, you only n to keep me hanging on… and eventually walk away.”


    Hadley went rigid, realizing her heart had been seen throughpletely.


    Of course, she had been stalling, hoping that if enough time passed, something—anything—might shift in her favor. However, Ellis was far too perceptive; her hesitation was crystal clear to him.


    “Hadley… Hadley.” His voice came quietly,ced with a weary tenderness.


    “Need I remind you that we’re in a serious rtionship? Pay attention, will you?”


    Watching her drift off in panic, a chill satisfaction stirred in him, though his brow tightened all the same.


    “Face the truth. You and I are bound together. I won’t let you slip away, and we will be husband and wife someday.”


    Confused and terrified, Hadley fixed her gaze on him.


    The man standing before her no longer felt familiar.


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