“Miss Pearson!”

“Any updates? Tell me, were the vehicles checked already?” she asked urgently.

“We’re still matching the records,” Xander said.

“It requires a little more time.”

He quickly added, “But every exit has eyes on it now.”

“That’s something.” Hadley rubbed at her temples, drawing in a steady breath. At least for the moment, all measures were in place.

A glance at her watch tightened her chest.

All she could do was pray for a breakthrough—and for the authorities to get there without delay.

Before the police managed to arrive, another presence reached the hospital first.

Ferris had gotten wind of the emergency and came charging in from Olisvale Bay, dragging Cordell along at his side.

“What on earth is going on?” Ferris’ voice cracked through the air as he stormed inside.

“Have you found anything?”

Although the question fell on Xander, his attention snapped almost instantly to Hadley, who was seated quietly on the sofa. His eyes sharpened.

“So it’s you!” Recognition turned swiftly to scorn. His voice climbed in fury.

“Hadley!”

The sudden bark made her recoil. Still, she rose politely and inclined her head.

“Mr. Scott.”

“Don’t you dare!” He slashed the air with his hand as though her words were poison.

“So it is you again! You—”

He thrust a finger toward her.

“Every time you’re near Eric, disaster follows!”

Hadley kept her composure and said nothing in reply.

It wasn’t a restraint born of deference toward Ferris as Eric’s father. Instead, she held back because, in this moment, his accusations carried an edge of truth too bitter to deny.

The whole situation reeked of intention. Eric had ended up trapped in that elevator because of her.

“Sir,” Cordell muttered, giving Hadley a glance before tugging lightly at Ferris’ sleeve.

“Please keep calm. Right now, what matters most is locating Mr. Scott.”

“Locating him? Obviously, we’re doing that!”

“Sir…” Cordell lowered his tone, his eyes flicking once more toward Hadley.

“Miss Pearson has managed everything as best as anyone could. She’s taken all the right steps.”

Was that truly the case?

Ferris’ gaze lingered on her with deep suspicion before he shouted, “Xander! Get over here!”

He drew Xander aside, pressing for answers with sharp questions.

Meanwhile, Hadley refused to focus on them. Her eyes drifted toward the entrance just as Theodore stepped in with a cluster of uniformed officers at his back. The authorities had finally arrived.

Hadley rose at once and moved quickly toward the doorway.

.

.

.