?Chapter 2820:


    All at once, the figure beside him faltered.


    Hadley swayed, fear and anger surging so violently that a veil of ckness clouded her vision. Hershes fluttered, and then her body went ck as she crumpled.


    “Hadley!” Eric shouted, lunging forward and catching her before she hit the floor.


    “Stay with me! Can you hear me?”


    Against his chest, Hadley trembled uncontrobly. She parted her lips, fighting for air, each breath jagged and shallow.


    “How about I take you to the hospital first?” Eric blurted, his voice tight with panic.


    Hadley could only shake her head, unable to form words.


    Realizing what she truly wanted, Eric forced himself to steady his voice.


    “Okay. No hospital. Then breathe with me. Slow in… slow out… Good. One more.”


    Hadley’s eyelids drooped as if exhaustion had grown too heavy to resist.


    Her chest rose and fell as she drew in a long breath, then another.


    Bit by bit, her strength began to return.


    “We need to go…” Hadley whispered atst, her voice faint but determined.


    “Alright!” Eric supported her, helping her into the car with urgent, practiced movements.


    Without dy, they drove straight to the school, where Ernest was waiting.


    By the time they arrived, Ernest had already spoken with the teachers, checked the security cameras, and the police were on site conducting their inquiries.


    Quentin said, “The footage caught Locke slipping out during nap time. It’s unclear whether it was nned, but Joy went after him not long after.”


    The pressing question became obvious: what wouldpel them to leave their beds when they were supposed to be napping?


    Even the timing raised suspicion. They had chosen the moment when the west gate was usually unlocked. Were they trying to sneak out? And if so, for what purpose?


    “Eric. Hadley.” Ernest approached, his voice heavy.


    “Ernest.”


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    With a grave nod, Ernest looked at both of them.


    “Something doesn’t add up. Locke has always been careful. He wouldn’t act this recklessly unless something drove him to it.”


    What could it have been?


    Or more importantly, who had enough sway over him to make him follow without question?


    Just then, the police stepped forward.


    “Mr. Flynn, Mr. Scott, Miss Pearson… think carefully. Did either of the children act out of the ordinary in thest few days?”


    A quick nce passed between Hadley and Eric. Together, they shook their heads firmly.


    “No!”


    From what they knew, Joy had been thriving, already well adjusted to her school routine.


    “And what about your son, Mr. Flynn?”


    Ernest frowned and started to give the same answer, but then he stopped short.


    “Hold on…”


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