Eric let out a pained grunt, his vision swimming from the blow.
Ernest didn’t hold back. Each strike landed heavy, fueled by unfiltered rage. The pain cut deep, and Eric’s face twisted in agony.
“Why did it have to be you?” Grabbing Eric by the collar, Ernest demanded, his voice raw. “How could it be you?!”
They weren’t related by blood, but nobody in Ernest’s life had earned his trust more than Eric. That made the betrayal cut even deeper—he never would have believed Eric could be behind this.
After everything that happened, Quentin had once questioned if Robin was really capable of sneaking Elissa and Locke out of Lion Bay alone. Ernest had sensed something off back then, but never once did he point suspicion at Eric.
His anger broke through, voice hoarse. “It was you! Of all people, it was actually you!”
No matter how little he trusted others, Ernest always thought Eric was different. He was supposed to be the exception.
Now, that faith was shattered. Ernest’s expression—normally so calm—was twisted with fury. “Hit me back! If you can betray me, you can throw a punch at me too! What’s stopping you? Go on, fight back!”
“Ernest.” Eric offered no resistance, allowing Ernest to unleash his anger without protest. “I was wrong, Ernest. I deserve this. I couldn’t fight you—not after what I did. I wouldn’t dare.”
Ernest had always been the man Eric looked up to most, and the guilt of his actions weighed heavily on him.
“Alright!” Ernest spat, a dark, wild look in his eyes. “If that’s how you want it.” He tightened his grip, raised his fist one more time, and brought it down hard on Eric.
Eric finally let out a groan, his legs giving way as he crumpled to the floor.
“Eric!” Hadley’s heart twisted, unable to stand it any longer. She broke into a run, desperate to reach him and put a stop to Ernest’s rage.
“Hadley!” Quentin caught her arm, stopping her in her tracks.
: g?ν.con
“Let me go!” Hadley cried, fighting against his grip. “Eric’s not well—if this keeps up, something terrible could happen!”
Quentin looked conflicted, an apology flickering in his eyes. “I’m sorry, Hadley… but I can’t let you through.”
He answered quietly, but his loyalty to Ernest overruled everything else—even Eric’s suffering.
Suddenly, loud, mocking laughter echoed through the hall.
Linda. She had remained quietly in her wheelchair, fading into the background and nearly overlooked by everyone. Now, Linda rolled her wheelchair forward until she was right in front of Hadley. Lifting her chin, she met Hadley’s eyes with a smug, defiant glare.
“Look at this. All of this is on you!”
There was a cruel satisfaction in Linda’s steady gaze. “Hadley, you’re the reason they’ve turned on each other!”
She jabbed a finger at Ernest and Eric, raising her voice. “Are you happy now? Ernest attacked Eric because of you! Years of brotherhood destroyed, all thanks to your meddling! You’re nothing but a curse!”
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