“You’re a capable assistant. Don’t worry.”

Chelsey nodded, still uncertain. “Alright.”

Without another word, Hadley turned sharply on her heel, her mind already racing ahead.

“Hadley?” Eric hurried after her, utterly bewildered. “Where are you going?”

But as he saw the path she took, realization hit.

She was heading straight for the surgical building.

Eric’s jaw tensed. Hadley was going to confront Linda.

“Hadley, wait!” he called, his steps quickening. A storm was brewing—he could feel it.

“Please, it’s late,” he said, reaching out in a bid to stop her.

Hadley shot him a look so sharp it cut through the air. “Don’t test me, Eric. I swear, if you push me right now, I will make a scene.”

Eric fell into stunned silence.

The fire in her eyes wasn’t something he dared challenge.

They reached the building in moments. ?s s find?novel.net

A swift elevator ride took them to the orthopedics department. Hadley didn’t hesitate. She marched to Linda’s ward and knocked once, brisk and firm.

The caregiver opened it, blinking at the unexpected visitors. “Miss Pearson… Mr. Scott? It’s so late, is something—”

But Hadley didn’t wait for pleasantries. She brushed past her and entered the room without a word.

“Wait—what’s going on?” the caregiver stammered, turning to Eric, flustered. “Mr. Scott, shouldn’t you stop her?”

Eric just stood there. Hadley had already warned him once, and he wasn’t keen on poking the bear again.

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And if he tried to stop her now? She’d tear through him.

“Linda!” Hadley’s voice rang out like a whip crack.

Hadley stormed into the room like a force of nature, locking eyes with Linda. “You read Ayla’s letter—the one meant for me—and then you took it. Didn’t you?”

Linda blinked, startled, as if yanked out of a dream.

At the sight of Hadley’s fury, Linda instinctively shrank back into her pillows.

“I know you,” she stammered, her voice trembling. “You’re always so mean… always yelling at me… bullying me…”

Then her eyes found Eric behind Hadley, and her face lit up with childlike delight.

“Eric!” she cried, lifting a hand toward him like a lifeline.

“Linda!” Hadley stepped in, grabbing her by the shoulders before she could say another word. “Look at me. Look at me!” she demanded.

“Answer the question. Stop playing this game!”

Linda whimpered, trying to turn her face away. “No… no…”

“You’re not insane,” Hadley said, her voice sharp with certainty. She clenched her eyes shut for a moment, barely containing her rage. “I know you’re not. You’re too calculating, too cunning to be crazy!”

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