Morning light had barely settled when Hadley stepped outside the house, only to find Tamara waiting by the door.

“You could’ve waited in the car,” Hadley said with a light laugh.

“Well, Hadley…” Tamara’s voice wavered as she gestured toward the gate. “Mr. Scott showed up—he’s been here for around five minutes now.” That caught Hadley off guard. She hadn’t expected him to arrive with such perfect timing, right as she stepped out.

“Alright.”

With a simple nod, Hadley walked beside Tamara toward the front gate. All the pacing came to a halt the moment Eric heard them approach. He turned around, eyes locking onto the sound behind him.

“Hadley,” Eric said, tilting forward ever so slightly, hands buried in his pockets. A grin stretched across his face, and a cigarette rested casually between his lips.

Hadley’s expression tightened right away. “What are you trying to pull?”

“Hmm?” Caught off guard, Eric blinked before catching on. He quickly removed the cigarette and waved it playfully. “Relax, it’s fake. I didn’t light it. Just going for the look.”

Hadley stopped before him and examined the cigarette carefully.

Everything Eric said was true.

The reason behind his act, however, was still a mystery to her. Understanding dawned on Hadley a moment later. He was doing this for the sake of his ever-watchful siblings.

A glance at the time showed that it was barely past seven.

Hadley’s early rise wasn’t by accident—she had work to do.

Even so, she found it odd that he was up at this hour too. Maybe he’d had a restless night. Curious now, Hadley tilted her head slightly, eyes narrowing as she studied him more closely.

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Her stare made Eric uneasy, and he struggled to find the right words. “I, uh, I came here because… Though I had rehearsed this moment, nerves got the best of me. Yesterday, I told Bianca we didn’t break up. Now, I have to keep up the act.”

“Alright.” Hadley gave him a gentle, even nod. “I understand.” The complicated dynamics of elite families were beyond her grasp.

Still, she wasn’t clueless—she had pieced things together.

That was why, when she left Olisvale Bay the night before, she had subtly hinted at her understanding. He was caught in a difficult web, and with his declining health, it only made things worse. There was a limit to what she could offer, but she was willing to try.

Hadley said gently, “If there’s anything you need from me, just ask. I’ll help however I can.”

“Hadley?” Her words caught Eric off guard. His voice cracked slightly before breaking into a grateful smile. “Th-thank you.”

“No need to say that,” Hadley replied with a small shake of her head. “You’re Joy’s father. Of course, I want you to be okay.”

“I get it.” Eric’s gaze softened as he looked down at her. A pause lingered between them before he quietly added, “I’ll be alright.”

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