Hadley’s eyelids fluttered as she slowly woke up.

The first thing she saw was Eric’s face, so close it nearly startled her. Her brows drew together, and she tightened her fists. “What are you doing?”

“You’re awake?” Eric asked. His tone was neutral, and he simply held out a blanket, settling it over her shoulders. “You’re wearing only a dress. I didn’t want you to get cold.”

“Thanks.” Hadley accepted the blanket with a slight nod.

She turned to look out the window. “Where are we heading?” This didn’t look like the route to Olisvale Bay.

“We’re going to the hospital,” said Eric. “You got frightened and passed out a while ago. I want a doctor to make sure you’re alright.”

Got frightened and passed out?

Hadley almost laughed to herself. She had worried he might catch on, but he had given her a perfect excuse instead.

“There’s really no need,” Hadley replied, shaking her head. “I just got a little shocked, that’s all. I’m fine now. It’s nothing serious—I’m not made of glass.”

“It’s best to be careful…” Eric still looked uneasy. If she could collapse from a scare, maybe she really was more delicate than he thought.

“We’re nearly at the hospital. Just one more turn,” he told her.

Hadley dropped the argument, figuring it wasn’t worth the trouble. If he wanted her to see a doctor, she would let him have his way. No emergency doctor would figure out what was truly wrong with her, anyway.

So, she steered the conversation elsewhere. “Chelsey—do you know where she is? I need to talk to her.”

“I’ll take care of it,” said Eric.

Hadley checked in for an emergency appointment the moment they arrived at the hospital.

L?t?st chαpt?rs in glnovels.

After a thorough round of tests, the doctor’s verdict was clear—apart from mild anemia, nothing serious was wrong.

“I told you, this was unnecessary,” Hadley muttered, arms crossed.

Eric offered a calm, reassuring smile. “Maybe. But it’s better to be sure than sorry.”

Still, a quiet unease tugged at Hadley. Her gaze shifted, scanning the surroundings. “Where’s Chelsey?”

Eric gestured ahead. “Right there.” He raised a brow, amused. “Why the rush? Did you think I’d stop you from seeing the person you’re so eager to find?”

Chelsey stood a short distance away with Hadley’s bodyguards.

At Eric’s subtle signal, she stepped forward, hesitant but obedient. “Hadley…”

The moment her eyes landed on Eric, Chelsey instinctively lowered her gaze, caught like a startled deer in headlights.

“Mr. Scott,” she murmured.

Chelsey.

Hadley moved closer, eyes locked on the girl’s face.

There was something she needed to know.

.

.

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