?Chapter 2819:


    In the next instant, it came crashing down.


    By four o’clock, Hadley had changed outfits and stepped out of her room, ready to pick up Locke and Joy.


    Through the foyer doors, another figure slipped inside.


    From the hall came the servant’s voice.


    “Mr. Scott has arrived.”


    Hadley lifted her head and spotted Eric moving briskly toward her.


    “Eric?” Hadley asked, startled.


    “Why are you here at this time of day?”


    “Hadley.” Eric looked drained, his features set in a hard, grim line.


    “Why do you look like that?” Hadley’s chest tightened.


    “Did something happen?”


    “There is…” Eric’s brows drew together, and his lips parted and closed before the words finally came.


    “I have to tell you something… and you need to prepare yourself.”


    Hadley’s eyes widened. The weight in his tone revealed more than he was saying.


    “Tell me what it is.”


    Her pulse quickened as her expression hardened.


    “Stop hesitating. Is this about Joy?”


    Nothing else came to mind that would require such a warning.


    With effort, Eric gave a slow nod.


    “Joy… she’s gone.”


    The moment she heard it, Hadley staggered, her face draining of color.


    “Hadley!” Eric caught her before she could copse.


    “What are you saying?” Hadley clung to his arm for bnce, her voice thin and trembling.


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    “Joy’s alright. She’s at school, and I’m going to pick her up right now.”


    “Listen…” Eric’s voice cracked, his throat tightening.AdChoicesADVERTISING


    “She vanished—right there at school!”


    For a moment, they stood frozen, caught in a silence that pressed heavily around them.


    Nothing passed between them except the suffocating weight of dread.


    “That’s a lie!” Hadley screamed, her voice breaking, her eyes zing with disbelief.


    “You can’t expect me to believe such nonsense!”


    “I wish it were false!” Eric’s anguish showed in every word.


    “But it’s real, Hadley. And not only Joy—Locke disappeared with her. They’re both gone!”


    Earlier, the school had contacted him and Ernest one after the other.


    Ernest had rushed straight to the scene, while Eric hade in haste to deliver the news to Hadley.


    Hadley didn’t argue further. The truth—unthinkable as it was—sank in like a de.


    “Why? Why would something like this happen?” Her fingers dug into Eric’s arm as panic surged.


    “We can’t waste time! We have to go now! We have to find her! If we’re toote, we might lose Joy forever!”


    “Yes. We’re going to the school right now.” Eric nodded firmly, steadying her trembling frame as they hurried toward the door together.


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