?Chapter 2805:


    Memories rushed back in a blur. Closing her eyes, she exhaled slowly, then turned and went inside.


    In the days that followed, Hadley immersed herself in Joy’s school preparations.


    Everything had been arranged in advance, yet unease still gnawed at her, and she went over every detail again.


    She also coordinated transportation with Locke.


    The original driver and bodyguard team would be supplemented, and Locke would ride with Joy so they could keep each otherpany.


    On the first day of school, the whole family rose early to send Joy off.


    Of course, that morning Joy didn’t ride with Locke. Instead, she went with her mom and dad.


    Eric and Hadley escorted their daughter together.


    Joy was still in early childhood. Her ss, along with Locke’s, had only twelve students. Besides their subject teachers, they had two homeroom teachers, teaching assistants, and even a life advisor.


    At school, Eric and Hadley met the deputy headmaster and both homeroom teachers.


    When it was time for ss, Joy realized she would soon have to part from her parents.


    She stretched out her arms.


    “Mommy, carry me.”


    Hadley crouched at once and scooped her up. Joy rested her head against her shoulder, her tiny arms clinging tight.


    “Don’t be nervous, sweetheart,” Hadley soothed.


    “Mommy and Daddy will take you there, and Locke will be with you too.”


    “Okay.” Joy’s soft reply trembled, but she didn’t loosen her hold.


    At the ssroom door, Hadley coaxed gently, “Mommy will put you down now, and you can go in with Locke, alright?”


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    “Joy.” Locke held out his hand, already trying to be the big brother.


    “I’ll hold your hand. Don’t be scared. You’ll sit next to me—I’ll stay with you.”


    “Okay.” Her voice quivered, but she reached out bravely to her cousin.


    “Good girl.”


    Eric lifted her from Hadley’s arms, set her on the floor, and ced her hand in Locke’s. He spoke to his nephew.


    “I’m entrusting Joy to you, Locke.”


    “Okay.” Locke nodded seriously, like a little adult.


    “Uncle Eric, don’t worry.”


    As he said it, he cast a solemn nce at Ernest. Ernest didn’t speak—he only gave a slight nod of approval to his son.


    And so, hand in hand, Joy and Locke headed into the ssroom.


    “Bye-bye, Mommy! Bye-bye, Daddy!”


    “Bye-bye, Daddy, Uncle Eric, Aunt Hadley!”


    “Bye-bye, Joy. Bye-bye, Locke.”


    Joy turned back every few steps, her big eyes glistening with unshed tears, but she fought them back and didn’t cry. One of the homeroom teachers led the way, ushering the two little ones inside.


    Hadley lingered at the doorway, reluctant to leave.


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