?Chapter 3009:


    “So what if they are?” Savannah cut him off, her voice calm yet dripping with contempt.


    There was a cruel twist to her tone as she spoke again. “Do you think putting criminals on trial will undo what they did to my Elissa?”


    “Mrs. Brown…”


    “I said enough!” Savannah refused to let Ernest continue. Her stare burned with fury. “Why is it that you haven’t faced judgment yourself? You’re the one who made Elissa suffer the most!”


    Ernest’s jaw stiffened. The tension in his face deepened as he stared back at her, words dying before they could leave his mouth.


    A cold spark shed in Savannah’s eyes. “Get out right now! I can’t even begin to fathom why you think you belong here!”


    She then turned her gaze toward Robin. “You. Come inside with me.”


    “Yes, Mrs. Brown!” Robin’s reply came quickly, and he trailed after her without hesitation.


    As they walked away, Ernest felt something inside him copse.


    “Hold on!”


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    Ernest’s throat strained, the calm mask he usually wore slipping away. Panic edged his voice.


    He lifted a trembling hand and pointed at Robin.


    “If I have no ce here, then tell me—what right does that man have?” Ernest asked.


    Savannah shut her eyes for a second, then snapped them open with fury.


    “This is my house! I decide who walks through those doors! I decide who’s wee and who’s not, Ernest Flynn!” Her tone was clipped and seething with control.


    “If you can’t ept that, too bad! You’d better remember where you stand. This is Ontmond! I doubt you’ve got the nerve to cross me here!”


    Without another word, she spun around and strode into the courtyard, Robin following close behind.


    “Shut the gates!”


    The heavy doors nged shut, sealing Ernest out.


    He stood still for a moment, eyes closing as he pressed a hand to his forehead. His thoughts spun in circles.


    What was he supposed to do now? Robin had actually gone inside.


    Should he just break in?


    He could, if he wanted to.


    But Savannah was Elissa’s mother. Forcing his way in would only deepen the rift between them.


    “What’s our next move, Mr. Flynn?”


    Drawing in a long breath, Ernest steadied himself. “We wait.”


    Ernest kept his post without leaving.


    Unlike the bustle of Srixby, Ontmond’s suburban quiet wrapped the evening in stillness.


    Ernest rested his shoulder against the car, slid a cigarette from his pocket, and lit it. The glow red briefly before smoke slipped from his nostrils into the cooling air.


    A sudden creak shattered the calm. Someone wasing out.


    Robin appeared first, his steps quick and cautious. Behind him came Savannah.


    But Ernest’s eyes caught on the figure at her side.


    His breath caught.


    Elissa. It was really her.


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