“Let’s call a taxi,” Hadley suggested. She had already asked the police—at this late hour, no trains were arriving, and taxis wouldn’t venture this way on their own if there was no business. Her phone was in the stolen backpack, so she had to depend on him.

“Sure.” Eric nodded, reaching into his pocket.

Suddenly, he froze, eyes widening as he stared at Hadley.

Hadley looked puzzled.

“What’s the matter?”

“Um…” Eric blinked, speaking hesitantly.

“Where’s my phone?”

“What?” Hadley was stunned, quickly grasping what had happened. His phone had vanished too.

Those men were local thugs, involved in all sorts of criminal activities. Obviously, Eric’s phone had been stolen, probably during the fight.

Hadley was furious, glaring at him.

“You’re unbelievable! All for a peach pit, and now you’ve lost your phone too.”

She turned away, striding straight ahead, not wanting to deal with him.

“Hadley!” Eric panicked, hurrying after her.

“Stop following me!” Hadley whirled around sharply, shouting at him before continuing forward.

How could Eric possibly not follow her? He just didn’t dare get too close, keeping a few steps behind. If she sped up, he did too; if she slowed, he matched her pace.

“What now?” Hadley stopped, turning back in exasperation.

“Why are you still following me?”

Eric managed a sheepish smile.

“Please, don’t be angry.”

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Hadley squeezed her eyes shut, massaging her temples in frustration.

“What do we do now?”

Without phones or any cash, they were essentially helpless.

“How about…” Eric gestured toward the station.

“We go back and figure something out?”

That seemed to be their only option. Hadley said nothing, simply turning to head back. As they walked, her fury gradually cooled. She recognized that she had overreacted; after all, the entire incident had begun because of her spontaneous trip to follow Andrea here.

Back at the station, Eric immediately approached the police. He reported his missing phone and left another number—Phillips’s.

“Officer, may I borrow your phone?”

“Of course. Go ahead.”

“Thank you.” After expressing his gratitude, Eric dialed Phillips’s number and explained the situation.

“Come pick me up immediately.”

“Yes, Mr. Scott. I’m on my way.”

After ending the call, Eric glanced up to find Hadley seated on a bench near the entrance. He approached and sat beside her.

“Wait a little while, and someone will come to collect us soon.”

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