?Chapter 2791:


    A gentler look crossed his face.


    “Come on, let’s eat.”


    “Good, good.” N gave a nod, her tone meant to soothe him.


    “Now that he’s finally in custody, all that remains is judgment. With everything he’s done, his days are numbered!”


    “That’s true.” Ernest’s calm demeanor returned, and a faint smile curved his mouth.


    His gaze dropped to his bowl as he lifted his spoon and tasted the soup slowly.


    Thew would deal with Gifford in the end. But in Ernest’s heart, that still felt insufficient.


    Thew offered mercy, but Gifford had none—neither did he deserve any.


    Because of the heavy news, the older ones at the table finished their dinner in haste.


    When the meal drew to a close, Cristian appeared, arriving with urgency as if the news had carried him straight there.


    Since the adults needed privacy, N asked Kira and the servants to escort Locke and Joy elsewhere.


    Inside the living room, Cristian gave his report without dy.


    “Gifford was taken into custody earlier this afternoon.”


    Because Bianca had provided evidence and an informant added a lead, the two trails merged to seal his fate.


    Anxiously, Hadley’s fingers tightened, her hands trembling just slightly.


    “Has he admitted anything yet?”


    After all, several hours had already passed since his capture.


    “That’s not how it works.” Cristian’s brow furrowed as he shook his head.


    “Gifford’swork is far tooplicated…”


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    Even if he didn’t live up to Ferris’ expectations, Gifford still carried the weight of being his eldest son, and that gave him a base of power.


    “He won’t give in quickly. Breaking someone like him during interrogation takes considerable time.”


    Cristian turned his attention to Eric and Ernest.


    “We will collect every piece of evidence we can gather, submit it to the authorities, and proceed with filing awsuit.”


    At those words, Ernest’s brow furrowed, his thoughts heavy and unreadable.


    With the children gone, his expression had grown darker, and he stayed quiet.


    “Alright.” Eric cast a nce at Ernest before turning back to Cristian.


    “We’ll leave this matter in your hands.”


    “Yes…”


    “But wait!” Hadley broke in with nervous urgency. She opened her mouth, but then faltered.


    “Miss Pearson?” Cristian looked at her in confusion.


    “If there’s something on your mind, please tell me.”


    Hadley bit down hard on her lip as she fought an unseen battle within herself.


    Eric understood the words she could not voice. Watching her waver struck him with a sharp mix of guilt and sorrow.


    Still, she seemed unable to talk about Linda freely in the presence of Ernest and him—a living reminder of the shadows weighing on her heart.


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