“Then… what about tonight?”

“But…” Hadley hesitated.

“I’m not sure if she’s ready.”

“That’s okay.” He hadn’t expected Joy to welcome him right away.

“I’ll head over. If she doesn’t want to see me, I won’t push it.”

Hadley stayed quiet.

Wasn’t he swamped with work?

The product launch was coming up, and Ernest had his hands full too. The same thing should go for Eric, right?

“Won’t that mess with your schedule?” she asked.

“Not even a little,” Eric replied with a soft chuckle.

“Spending time with my daughter trumps everything else. It’s what I’m supposed to do. So, it’s settled.”

“Mr. Scott…” Xander’s voice called from the background.

“I’ve got to go,” Eric said quickly, “but I’ll reach out again later.”

“Alright.”

After ending the call, Hadley stepped out of Flynn Mansion and drove toward White Lake Prison.

It was visitation day.

Since the last time, she had come to see Chelsey every chance she got.

But the visit with Hamza earlier had slowed her down.

She pushed the speed limit, hoping to make it in time. Still, by the time she arrived at the prison gate, visitation hours had ended.

She scanned the area for the officer she’d spoken to before, hoping he might make an exception—but he clearly wasn’t on duty today.

She considered calling him, but his phone went straight to voicemail.

Now what?

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Maybe she should call Ernest?

But he was likely swamped, especially with the launch underway.

Maybe it was better to just give up this time.

Letting out a slow breath, Hadley turned to leave.

A voice called out behind her.

“Miss, could you move to the side?”

She turned to see an SUV crawling behind her, boxed in by the narrow path. It had been trailing her the whole time. Since honking wasn’t allowed on the prison premises, the driver leaned out the window, waving and calling out instead.

“Oh, sorry.” Hadley nodded and stepped aside.

The SUV rolled past her and came to a stop near the gate. The driver got out, checked his watch, and stood waiting.

Hadley didn’t pay much attention. She kept walking toward the exit.

As she neared the gate, a man in a white shirt stepped out of the guardhouse. He was tall, clean-cut, and escorted by a prison officer.

“Take care, sir,” said the guard. His tone then lightened with recognition when he saw Hadley.

“Oh—you’re still here?”

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