?Chapter 2929:


    Eric stared at her, utterly thrown off.


    “Listen,” Colleen said, shaking her head while a knowing smile formed on her lips. “What’s going on between Hadley and Ellis isn’t exactly what you think it is.”


    “What do you mean?” The words reached Eric’s ears, but their meaning slipped through his grasp. He blinked, trying to make sense of what she had just said.


    “Let me make it clear,” Colleen said eagerly, leaning forward as if she couldn’t wait to exin. “Hadley only ended up with Ellis because of you.”


    The revtion hit Eric like a jolt of electricity.


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    Before he could even respond, Colleen continued, “To put it simply, Ellis wouldn’t have had a chance with her if it weren’t for you.”


    Eric could hardly believe what he was hearing. He felt his breath hitch, the rapid thump of his heartbeat echoing in his chest.


    “Dr. Hayes, can you make that a bit clearer?”


    “Absolutely!” Colleen replied, her tone brimming with resolve. “You were under investigation back then, and the only way to prove your innocence was to locate Bianca.”


    “That’s true,” Eric said with a nod. “Hadley was the one who managed to find her.”


    “She did find Bianca,” Colleen said. “But it was Ellis who led the operation to bring her in.”


    What did that mean…?


    Wait…


    Thoughts collided inside Eric’s mind, each realization sharper than thest. Even before Colleen could borate, the pieces began to fall into ce. His lips parted as he whispered, “Are you saying…”


    Colleen gave a firm nod. “Exactly.”


    However, there was still more—something Eric couldn’t have guessed on his own.


    “In addition to that,” Colleen said, her tone lowering, “there’s something else you should know.”


    When the truth finally sank in, Eric sat frozen, unable to find his voice. Everything clicked. Every missing piece fit perfectly in his mind.


    “I understand now!”


    A surge of emotion ran through Eric, and his hands tightened into fists before loosening again.


    “Thank you, Dr. Hayes!”


    Words weren’t enough to convey what he felt, so he rose to his feet and gave her a respectful nod.


    “Wait!” Startled, Colleen sprang up as well, her eyes wide. “Please, not again!”


    The memory of thest time he had dropped to his knees before her shed through her mind. It still sent a chill down her spine.


    “You’ve earned every bit of it…”


    “I didn’t do any of this for your sake,” Colleen replied lightly, a smallugh escaping her. “I came here on Hadley’s behalf, that’s all. So there’s no need to thank me.”


    With a casual wave of her hand, she added, “I’ve said everything I needed to. It’s time for me to head out.”


    “I’ll drive you. Where are you going next?”


    “That won’t be necessary.” Colleen’s smile returned as she gave a small shake of her head. “I drove myself, remember?”


    Before turning to leave, her tone softened into something more deliberate. “Eric, promise me one thing—take good care of Hadley.”


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