“I need you to dig into Hadley’s past!”

While they spoke, Eric’s car rolled through the Flynn Mansion gates and parked next to Phillips. Eric hung up the phone and turned to him.

“Do it now. I want answers immediately!”

Sensing urgency, Phillips didn’t press for details.

“Understood.” He slipped into the car and began making calls right away.

Gathering information wasn’t much trouble for him. The only real obstacle was the late hour, which meant there might be some delay.

“Mr. Scott, please give it a bit. People need time to check the records.”

“Alright.” Eric’s jaw tightened as he gave a short nod. His face remained unreadable.

Afterward, he drove straight to Olisvale Bay.

The south wing greeted him with its warm lights still shining.

Megan’s footsteps approached, echoing lightly on the floor. Her smile greeted him.

“You made it back.”

“Yes.” Eric acknowledged her with a nod, not letting any emotion slip through.

Glancing at his watch, he asked, “It’s already late. What keeps you here?”

“You actually noticed the time for once?” Megan puffed out her cheeks.

“You’ve been working yourself to the bone lately. These days, I only catch you at this hour.”

She motioned for him to step inside.

“Don’t just stay in the doorway. Come on.”

She gestured toward the dining room.

“I baked a cake. You should try some.”

A faint crease appeared between Eric’s brows.

Explore magic at g?lnσν?s．c?

“I’m not a fan of sweets.”

“I know.” Megan’s grin never faded.

“It’s carrot cake—barely sweet at all. I put my whole afternoon into making it, so you’re not getting out of this. Give it a try!” She called out to Phillips.

“You too, Phillips. There’s enough for everyone!”

“Thank you,” answered Phillips as he stepped forward.

Neither Eric nor Phillips looked thrilled about dessert, but they followed her to the dining table anyway.

“Go ahead.” With practiced hands, Megan served each of them a slice.

Eric lifted his fork, broke off a piece, and just as he was about to taste it, a phone rang sharply. The sound cut through the moment.

The call belonged to Phillips.

Eric put his fork back on the plate and glanced at him.

Catching on instantly, Phillips checked the screen and nodded. He then slid the phone across to Eric.

“Mr. Scott, take a look at this.”

Phillips’s words were simple, but what he handed over spoke volumes.

Even before opening the file, Eric sensed the truth. He understood its significance at once.

“Is it work again?” Megan asked, her tone laced with complaint.

.

.

.