?Chapter 2821:


    Fragments of memory stirred—Locke’s sudden fever, the odd words he’d muttered about his mother…


    At the time, it hadn’t seemed important. But now, with the children gone, it felt connected in a way he couldn’t ignore.


    “Mr. Flynn, is there anyone who mightmand his obedience?”


    Could it be…


    Or was the answer even worse than that?


    “Ernest!” Hadley’splexion turned ghostly pale, her breath shallow and uneven.


    “Is Elissa back?”


    The same thought had already struck him.


    Ernest’s chest tightened. If it truly was her, then perhaps—just perhaps—this mystery finally had an exnation.


    Just then, a police officer stepped in and said, “Mr. Flynn, Mr. Scott, there’s a Mrs. Brown outside. She ims to be Locke’s grandmother. Is that true?”


    “Mrs. Brown… Savannah?!” Hadley froze and darted a look at Ernest.


    “Was she the one who took Locke and Joy?”


    It certainly seemed possible.


    Ernest gave the officer a confirming nod.


    “Yes. That’s right. Please let her in.”


    Even as he spoke, he was already moving toward the entrance to meet Savannah.


    “May Ie inside?” Quick footsteps echoed down the hallway as Savannah’s worried voice carried through.


    Ernest reached the entrance just as Savannah appeared, and their eyes met head-on.


    “Mrs. Brown, I—”


    “Mrs. Brown!”


    Before Ernest could say more, Hadley rushed forward. Her cold fingers seized Savannah’s hands, trembling with desperation.


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    “It’s really you. Thank heavens! That means the children are safe!”


    Her gaze clung to Savannah’s face as she forced a fragile smile.


    “Where is Joy? She’s with Locke, isn’t she? God… you should have told us you wereing to Srixby. If you wanted to see Locke, you could have called me ore to the house. Doing this in secret… you nearly gave us a heart attack!”


    “Hadley…” Savannah’s lips parted, then closed again, as though the words were too heavy to speak.


    The truth was that, as per their arrangement, Savannah hade to collect Locke—but he never appeared. She began to wonder whether Locke had changed his mind or simply hadn’t found a chance to slip away.


    Still, she didn’t leave right away. Instead, she lingered near the school. But what arrivedter was Ernest… and the police. That was when the dreadful news hit her—Locke was missing.


    What she never expected was that Joy had vanished along with him.


    “Hadley…” Savannah’s voice quivered with guilt and remorse.


    “I’m so sorry… I don’t know where Locke and Joy are either.”


    “What?” Hadley’s eyes widened, her face a picture of disbelief.


    “How is that possible?”


    Shaking her head, Hadley pressed on, her voice edged with suspicion.


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