Linda finished reading, her expression darkening with confusion and curiosity. She couldn’t make out all the details—but it was enough to guess that Ayla had caused trouble between Eric and Hadley.

The note dripped with desperation. Ayla sounded cornered—like she had no one left to turn to.

If Ayla had written this, it could only mean one thing—Hadley was the only person Eric trusted and the only one who could help her.

“Hmm…” Linda smiled faintly. She folded the letter, ready to put it back. But then she paused.

Without a word, she folded it again—smaller this time—and slipped it into her handbag.

She placed the coin pouch back in the box, closed the lid, and returned it to the round table.

Then she turned away.

At the door, footsteps echoed down the hall. A maid’s voice followed, warm and precise. “Welcome back, Miss Pearson. Miss Harris is waiting for you in the sitting room.”

“Alright. Thank you.”

Moments later, Hadley stepped inside.

She looked radiant.

Linda had always known Hadley was beautiful—especially since her return to Srixby a year ago.

But now, that beauty had settled into something quieter. Composed.

Untouchable.

Linda smiled thinly, her tone caught between teasing and bitterness. “You really do get prettier by the day.”

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“Hmm?”

Hadley raised a brow. “You came all this way just to flatter me?”

“How could you not be?” Linda’s voice turned sharp. “You’ve got a man who dotes on you. Life must be good. It’s just a shame…” For original chapters go to ?ovelFind.net

“A shame?”

A flicker of cold crept up Hadley’s spine.

Linda’s smile dropped. “Eric knows,” she said quietly.

What did she mean? What did he know?

Linda’s words were vague, and Hadley couldn’t quite grasp the meaning at first. She stayed quiet, waiting.

Then Linda sat straighter, eyes narrowing. She leaned forward and held Hadley’s gaze, every word slow and deliberate. “I’m talking about those four years you spent in Blathe, when you didn’t receive a single cent in living expenses. Don’t tell me you’ve forgotten.”

Hadley froze. Her limbs locked in place, her breath caught. That old chill returned, crawling through her like frost.

But the moment Linda said it—something in her broke.

She had never—never—imagined Linda would say it out loud to her face directly.

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