She shook her head, troubled. “Is the Scott Group really so fragile without you?”

“You could say that.” Eric smiled faintly and ran his fingers gently through her hair. “Why else would Ferris go to such lengths to drag me back into the family?” He gave a short laugh, one edged with bitterness. “It’s not because he cares, you know.”

Eric had never been under any illusions. Ferris had never loved him. Not from the beginning.

“I took beatings from him for years,” Eric said quietly. “It got so bad I finally ran away.”

Upon hearing that, Hadley’s throat tightened. Her eyes shimmered with sudden tears.

Then came a knock at the door.

Phillips called out from outside, “Mr. Scott, several board members are here. They say they’ve come to check if you’re alright.”

Hearing that, Hadley scoffed under her breath, a sharp smile pulling at her lips. She knew exactly why they were really there—pressure masked as concern.

“Got it. Let them in,” said Eric.

Then he gently let go of her hand. “Hadley, why don’t you get some rest?”

“Alright.” She agreed, understanding that the conversation ahead wouldn’t be for her. “Don’t talk to them for too long. You need your rest.”

“I know.”

As she stepped into the hallway, her mind kept circling back to the same question—who had betrayed Eric? She didn’t want to believe it could be someone close to him.

Over at the Flynn Group, Linda arrived just as Ernest was in the middle of a meeting. It had been days since she last saw him. Lately, he had either been buried in work or staying at the hospital with Addy. He ate at the office. Slept there too. The Flynn Mansion had become an afterthought. He hadn’t been home once.

The door to the CEO’s office opened, and Ernest stepped inside.

Read exclusive content at g?lnσνs?com

“Ernest.” Linda quickly offered a warm smile. “Done with your meeting? You must be swamped. Can you spare a moment?”

She gestured to the insulated lunch bag on the table. “I brought lunch. You’re still recovering—you need proper meals, and on time.”

Wheeling herself closer, she added, “Why don’t you eat a little now?”

“Just leave it there.” Ernest paused briefly, then shook his head. “I need to head out. I’ll eat when I get back.”

“You’re going out again?” Linda’s expression shifted. “To see Addy?”

“No.” Ernest’s brows drew together. He shook his head. “Eric’s in the hospital. I need to check on him.”

Linda froze. “What happened?”

“It’s complicated.” Ernest glanced at his watch. “I’ll explain later. I need to go. You should head home too—take care on the way.”

With a quick nod to Quentin, he said, “Let’s go!”

“Yes, sir.”

.

.

.