?Chapter 2896:


    “The treatment on Locke’s wound wasn’t done properly. The wrapping looks careless. Since we have a doctor with us, let’s let him check it.”


    “Okay.”


    Their steps had barely carried them forward when a voice rose from the path ahead.


    “Mr. Flynn! Mr. Scott!”


    Ellis’s call cut through the air. Word had already reached him that Locke and Joy were safe, so he had hurried over with his men to meet them.


    When Ellis drew near, Hadley’s brows furrowed ever so slightly.


    “Chief Gomez.” Ernest exchanged a nce with Eric and Hadley before giving Ellis a respectful greeting.


    Ernest gave a respectful nod.


    “We owe you. Without your team’s help, we might never have found the children.”


    “That’s not true.” Ellis shook his head and let his gaze settle on Locke.


    “Your boy is remarkable. He managed to protect both himself and Joy.”


    Shifting his eyes, he looked to Hadley with gentleness.


    “Hadley, Joy is out of danger now. You can set your mind at ease.”


    Relief softened her lips into a faint smile.


    “Yes. Thank you… You’ve done more than enough.”


    “Please, don’t thank me,” Ellis replied, shaking his head once more.


    “We only carried out our duty. Nothing more than that.”


    Out of nowhere, Eric’s keen stare locked onto Ellis.


    “Chief Gomez?” Eric’s eyes narrowed.


    “You’re bleeding.”


    Ellis blinked in confusion.


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    “What are you talking about? Where?”


    “There,” Eric said, pointing.


    “At the back of your head.”


    Ellis’s hand shot to the back of his head without thinking. When he pulled it away, blood smeared across his palm.


    “You’re hurt.” Eric’s brows furrowed.


    Without wasting a moment, he turned to Phillips.


    “Get the doctor here immediately!”


    “Right away, Mr. Scott!” Phillips dug into his bag, pulled out a clean towel, and thrust it into Ellis’s hands.


    “Hold this over the wound.”


    “Appreciate it,” Ellis muttered as he clutched the towel and pressed it to his head.


    Hadley’s eyes lingered on him with a mix of worry and puzzlement.


    “What on earth happened to you?”


    “Ah…” Ellis paused to recall, his voice carrying a careless edge.


    “The bunker was too dark. I couldn’t see clearly and ended up getting struck by that man.”


    Back then, he’d felt the sting, yet brushed it off and kept moving.


    Because the wound was tucked beneath his hair and the ce had been shrouded in shadows, it was easy to miss.


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