?Chapter 2844:


    Eric strode toward her quickly, an umbre angled over his head, his eyes fixed on her face.


    “Is the air in the car making you feel stifled?”


    “Yes,” Hadley answered with a nod.


    “Do you want me to stay here with you?”


    “Alright.”


    Eric took her umbre from her hand, passed his own to Phillips, then stepped closer. The two of them stood together beneath the cover.


    With her eyes lowered, Hadley spoke softly.


    “The rain keeps falling…”


    “It does.”


    “I keep wondering if Joy and Locke were caught in this storm. Are they shivering? Did they have enough to eat? Were they… hurt?”


    Eric parted his lips, ready to answer, but no sound came.


    “Eric…” All at once, Hadley pressed her face to his chest, her words faint and trembling.


    Tears slipped from her eyes as she whispered, “I’m so scared… so worried.”


    Eric’s brow tightened. Her grief pierced him, yet he couldn’t bring himself to tell her not to worry.


    The truth was, he carried the same fear.


    He lifted a hand and gently stroked the back of her head, choosing tofort her in silence.


    “Mr. Scott,” a bodyguard approached hesitantly.


    “The officers say it’s time to leave.”


    Eric shot him a sharp re, and the man immediately fell quiet.


    “Is it time already?” Hadley asked, having caught the words. She lifted her face, wiped away her tears, and said, “Let’s go. We should get back in the car.”


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    “Okay.” Supporting her by the arm, Eric added, “The ground’s slick. Walk carefully.”


    Even as he spoke, Hadley’s foot sank into a puddle.


    Eric reacted instantly, wrapping an arm around her waist and lifting her off the ground.


    It was only a short distance, yet he carried her straight to the car. Then he gave Phillips an order.


    “Bring wet wipes, clean socks, and shoes.”


    “Yes, sir.” Phillips rushed off and soon returned with the supplies.


    “Mr. Scott, here they are.”


    Eric took them, shut the car door, and the convoy moved out.


    When Eric reached for Hadley’s ankle, she pulled back slightly.


    “I can manage on my own…”


    But he had already removed her shoes and peeled off her damp socks.


    “They’re filthy,” he muttered, tossing them into the trash bin.


    He pulled out a wet wipe and carefully cleaned her feet.


    “It’s not too bad. Just a little damp—the mud didn’t soak through.”


    His voice softened with apology.


    “This will have to do for now. Once we reach somewhere better, I’ll make sure you’re properly cleaned up.”


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