“Is it?” she said, her laugh sharp and bitter. “Because when you were hiding the truth from me—was that your idea of a joke?”
She reached for a napkin and dabbed her lips with quiet precision.
“I told you last night—I can’t do this. I can’t marry you.” Then, she set the napkin down and rose from her seat.
“Hadley!” Eric stood quickly, grabbing her hand. “I was wrong. I admit that. But what about Joy? Have you thought about what this means for her? She already calls me Dad! If we don’t go through with this—”
“Oh, spare me.” Hadley cut in with a cold, sharp laugh. “You’re turning this on me? What right do you think you have to ask that? Is it me who’s failing Joy?”
She yanked her arm away and bolted.
“Hadley!”
The phone rang on the table—Phillip was calling this time.
As Eric rose to chase after her, he answered briskly, “We’ll talk later—whatever it is.”
By the time he got outside, the car carrying Hadley was already gone.
Eric stood still, jaw clenched, frustration simmering beneath his skin. At least Tamara and the bodyguards were with her—that gave him one less thing to worry about.
A black Bentley was already idling in front of the villa.
Phillip stepped out, frowning as he looked around, confused by Hadley’s absence. The two had rarely been seen apart lately.
“Is Hadley still inside? She hasn’t come out yet?” Phillip asked, curious.
“She’s gone.”
Eric’s expression tightened as he turned back toward the house. He’d spent the entire night outside Hadley’s door and hadn’t had a moment to clean up—he needed at least a shower and a change of clothes.
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Phillips’ eyes narrowed slightly, finally understanding Eric’s unkempt appearance. Clearly, something serious had passed between them.
Once Eric returned, freshly dressed, he came downstairs and gave Phillips a curt nod. “You called earlier. What is it?”
Phillips nodded. “There’s been an update from Blathe.” As he spoke, he unlocked his phone.
“They explained that because so many years had passed—and since Hadley wasn’t from the area—it had been difficult to carry out the investigation.” He paused, then continued, “Still, they found something. I’ve already sent it to your phone.”
Eric didn’t reply. He took the phone, opened the email, and stared at the screen.
His brows drew together, a deep ache flickering behind his eyes. He whispered under his breath, “The slums…”
“Yes,” Phillips nodded, his nerves rattled. A cold sweat began to bead on his forehead. “Less than two months after Hadley arrived in Blathe, she moved into the city’s slums.”
Eric closed his eyes, the weight of it all pressing inward. He already knew; Hadley had mentioned it to him the night before.
. Th?s chapter is updated by find?novel.net
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