A heavy ache pounded in Hadley’s head, leaving her dazed and unsteady. She pressed her palm to her forehead, convinced for a moment that the pain would shatter her skull.
“Hadley!” Tamara rushed over and caught her before she stumbled. “We should get out of here. Nothing good ever comes from arguing with lunatics!”
Searching for an explanation left Hadley completely bewildered. With Tamara’s help, she hovered in the doorway, unable to take another step for several seconds.
“Do you feel sick?” Tamara took in Hadley’s pale face and spoke gently. “Should I call a doctor?”
“No.” Hadley exhaled slowly, refusing Tamara’s offer. “I’ll be alright.”
“Okay, we can take our time,” said Tamara, guiding her along. “By the way, Mr. Scott mentioned you. He asked if you’d join him for lunch.” She added this last bit, hoping it might lift Hadley’s mood.
“Alright.” Hadley agreed, and soon a faint flush crept back into her face. After they entered the parking garage, Tamara moved ahead and pulled open the car door for her.
Bending to slide into the seat, Hadley suddenly stopped in her tracks, straightened up, and spun around sharply.
“Had—”
“Linda!”
Tamara only managed to open her mouth to ask what was happening when Hadley suddenly shouted the name.
Tamara blinked in confusion. “Who are you talking about?”
“Linda!” Hadley repeated, her voice tight with panic. She jerked away from Tamara’s hand and dashed off without a second thought.
Startled, Tamara called after her, trying to catch up. “Hadley, wait!”
Every step Hadley took echoed through the empty garage as she shouted desperately, “Linda! I know you’re here! I saw you!”
The only answer was the hollow silence pressing in from all sides. No figure stepped forward.
Stay tuned for more glnoνes.c?m
“What’s happening?” The bodyguards who had trailed after them stepped forward, their eyes on Tamara as one of them asked.
Drawing her brows together, Tamara gave a quick command. “Spread out and see if Linda is nearby!”
“Got it!” Without hesitation, the bodyguards scattered to search every corner.
Taking advantage of the pause, Tamara gently caught Hadley’s arm. “They’re searching now. If Linda’s here, they’ll bring her right to us.”
Hadley answered in a daze. “Okay, I’ll stay here and wait.”
“Let’s just wait in the car,” Tamara urged.
It was not long before the bodyguards returned, all of them wearing identical looks of disappointment. Each one shook his head. “No trace of Linda anywhere.”
“That can’t be!” Hadley’s grip on her water slipped, and the bottle hit the floor. “That can’t be! I saw her with my own eyes! She was right there behind me!”
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