“Of course,” Hadley replied at once. Even if he hadn’t asked, she would have come anyway.

“Ernest,” Eric said as he held Hadley’s hand and prepared to leave. “We’ll head out now. Let us know if anything comes up.”

“I will.”

As they walked away from the ward, Hadley glanced at Eric and asked with concern, “What’s Ernest going to do about Linda?”

“Well…” Eric sighed, having expected that question. “I understand how you feel. But with Elissa’s grandfather already in a fragile state, and considering Linda didn’t actually lay a hand on him, I’m afraid there’s not much anyone can do.”

Hadley understood at once, and her lips curled into a bitter smirk. “So, she’s getting away with it again, isn’t she?”

Eric was silent. There was nothing he could say to argue that.

Hadley laughed coldly. “Good deeds bring good fortune? What a joke! God picks on the good. That’s what I think.”

“That’s not true,” Eric ed calmly. “I have no idea what Ernest plans to do next. That’s why I can’t give you a straight answer. But after this, he’ll make things right for Elissa. I know that.”

“Make it right? Her grandfather’s gone. What else is there to make right? If you ask me, Ernest is the one barely holding on now.”

Eric narrowed his eyes, unsure what she meant. “What—”

Hadley cut him off with a big yawn.

“Sleepy?”

“Yeah.” Hadley nodded tiredly. “The filming schedule’s been packed lately. I barely got four hours of sleep last night.”

Eric frowned when he heard that. He wanted to tell her to slow down and stop pushing herself so hard, but the words caught in his throat. This was her work. Her passion. He couldn’t take that from her.

If this was what she loved, then he’d support her.

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“Rest on me.” Eric patted his thigh and helped her ease down. “It’s a 30-minute drive. You’ll be more comfortable lying down.”

“Alright.” Hadley smiled softly and lay down on his lap, shifting until she found the right spot. With her eyes already drifting shut, she murmured, “I’m going to take a nap.”

“Go ahead.” Eric chuckled softly and draped a blanket over her. He then slid his arm around her waist and whispered, “I’ve got you. You’re safe. Just relax and sleep.”

Back at the hospital, Ernest returned to the ward. Just as Hadley had said, Elissa was fast asleep. She looked exhausted, both physically and emotionally.

Without making a sound, Ernest turned and carefully pulled the door shut behind him. Outside, he faced Quentin and ordered, “Stay here and keep watch. Never leave her side.”

“Copy that, Sir,” Quentin replied with a firm nod.

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