The man in white turned his head at the comment. His eyes landed on Hadley and lingered.

“Yes.” She nodded at the guard and smiled faintly.

“I’m heading out now.”

“Come back next time.” The guard returned the smile.

“You were late today. Sorry we can’t let you in. Rules are rules.”

“Right,” said Hadley.

The man in white spoke in a low voice to the guard.

“What’s her situation?” He was asking about Hadley.

“Oh, her?” The guard quickly answered.

“She came to visit an inmate but got here too late. Visitation hours are over.”

The man gave a small nod, saying nothing at first. Then he looked at Hadley again, his gaze narrowing slightly.

She noticed.

The way he watched her made her uneasy.

Was something off?

But before she could dwell on it, he looked away.

“In that case,” he said quietly, “let her have the visit.”

The guard blinked. Surprised, he hesitated.

“What?”

The man’s voice was even.

“Did I break a rule?”

“Oh—no, no!” The guard straightened, shaking his head quickly. He wouldn’t dream of arguing. Rules, after all, depended on who was asking.

“I’ll make the arrangements right now,” the guard said.

He turned and waved Hadley over.

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“Come here!”

Hadley pointed at herself, confused.

“Me?”

There was some distance between them. She hadn’t caught what they were saying. What were they talking about? Why did the guard call her back?

“Yes! You! Hurry up!”

“Oh. Okay!”

Hadley hurried behind the prison guard, matching his brisk pace as they entered the sterile security room.

When she accidentally brushed against the man in the immaculate white shirt, she angled her body gracefully and asked, “Excuse me, may I pass?”

The man in the crisp white shirt offered a subtle nod, his voice dropping to a deep, measured tone.

“Please.”

Hadley responded with a polite smile before following the guard, quickening her steps as they proceeded deeper into the facility.

The man in white remained motionless, his penetrating gaze fixed on Hadley’s retreating figure, his eyes narrowing with calculating interest. Only after her silhouette vanished around the distant corner did he finally tear his gaze away and slide into his waiting vehicle.

Once inside the processing area, the guard began recording Hadley’s information with practiced efficiency.

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