?Chapter 2822:


    “Please tell me the truth. You wouldn’t show up in Srixby for no reason. Who else could make Locke listen if not you?”


    Her gaze flicked to Ernest.


    “Were you afraid he wouldn’t let you see Locke? I promise that’s not going to happen. Ernest, say something!”


    “It’s not like that!” Savannah’splexion went pale as she nodded faintly.


    “The thing is…” Her eyes shifted toward Ernest.


    “I came to take Locke with me, and he agreed to meet me at the west gate… but I never saw him. I thought maybe he changed his mind.”


    She continued, her voice trembling.


    “Now I’m as lost and worried as you are. Hadley, I’m telling you the truth!”


    A pounding headache settled over her as guilt gnawed at her conscience.


    “It’s my fault. If I hadn’t told Locke to meet me at the west gate, none of this would have happened…”


    But Hadley was no longer listening.


    “Then how could they have disappeared?” she murmured, her voice unsteady as she turned to Eric.


    “Did Joy and Locke run into someone dangerous?”


    Her nerves were fraying, threatening to snap.


    “Who could it be? Gifford?” The first name that leapt to her mind was Gifford.


    “But wasn’t he locked up? Who else? Who could it be? Who on earth would do this?”


    “Hadley!” Eric caught her arm, his voice calm but firm.


    “You need to steady yourself!”


    “How?” Hadley’s eyes widened, her voice rising with raw anguish.


    “How can I steady myself now? I can’t calm down! Joy… she—”


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    The thought of her daughter—who had suffered so much from a young age, battled illness, and only recently glimpsed a fragile hope—now possibly facing another storm sent a chill racing through Hadley’s veins.


    “Eric, I…” Hadley reached toward him, her hand trembling.


    “I’m here!” Eric said quickly, sping her hand.


    But the moment their hands met, Hadley’s eyes rolled back, and she copsed into his arms.


    “Hadley!” Eric scooped her up without hesitation, his voice cutting sharply through the air.


    “Xander!”


    “Yes, sir?”


    “Call a doctor. Now!”


    “Right away!”


    The office fell into a tense hush.


    Once they left, the silence deepened.


    The police stepped forward, addressing Savannah.


    “Mrs. Brown, we’ll need you toe with us to give a statement.”


    “Alright.” Savannah nodded.


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