?Chapter 2850:


    “Then let’s go.”


    “Alright!” Eric packed his bag in one swift motion, slung it over his shoulder, and reached for her hand to pull her up.


    “Come on.”


    Even as they set off, he didn’t let go.


    Hadley didn’t protest, matching his brisk pace with smaller, hurried steps.


    Eric nced back at her and slowed slightly, guilt flickering in his voice.


    “Sorry—I’m going too fast, aren’t I? I’ll slow down.”


    “It was a bit fast…” Hadley admitted, drawing in a steady breath.


    “But this pace is fine now.”


    This mountain area, unlike Srixby, had no clear house numbers. Even with directions, finding the exact home was a challenge.


    “This should be it,” Eric said, stopping before a row of houses. At his signal, the two bodyguards shadowing them stepped forward.


    “Split up and ask around. We need to confirm which house it is.”


    “Understood, Mr. Scott,” they replied, then moved off.


    Eric turned to Hadley.


    “Come.”


    He led her to the nearest door and lifted his hand to knock—but just as his knuckles neared the wood, the door creaked open on its own.


    “Eric?” Hadley whispered, tension tightening her voice.


    “Something doesn’t feel right.”


    “It doesn’t.”


    Their eyes met for a heartbeat, and without another word, they stepped inside together.


    Eric and Hadley rushed through the wooden gate, only to find the front door hanging ajar as well. What unsettled them most was the silence—every door stood open, yet the house was still, empty.


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    “You wait here. I’ll check the ce.”


    “Alright.”


    “Eric, look!” Hadley suddenly pointed toward a narrow path branching east.


    “There’s a door over there—and it’s open too!”


    “Where?” Eric spun around, his brow furrowing as his gaze followed her finger.


    Their eyes met.


    “Should we follow it, see where it leads?”


    “Yes.” Hadley nodded firmly. She was thinking the same.


    “Come on!”


    The path was cramped, forcing them into single file. With his long strides, Eric surged ahead. Hadley trailed behind, her breath turning ragged, but she forced herself to keep pace—she wouldn’t be the reason he slowed down.


    “There!” Eric’s sharp gaze caught movement—a figure running a few dozen meters ahead.


    It was a woman clutching a tightly wrapped bundle. The child’s face was hidden, but the size… it definitely wasn’t an infant. It could be Locke or Joy.


    Just then, a truck screeched to a halt beside her.


    A man in the cargo bed leaned out, arm extended.


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