“Okay!” Hadley slowly released his hand.

“I’ll wait! Joy is waiting for her daddy too! We’ll both wait for you!”

Eric’s eyes glistened, his voice catching as he nodded with a faint smile.

“Okay.”

Leaving the visitation room, Hadley covered her face, dabbing at her eyes.

In the end, she couldn’t hold her tears back.

“Here.” A voice spoke from the doorway, accompanied by a hand offering her a tissue.

She lowered her hand and found Ellis standing there. Accepting it, she whispered, “Thank you.”

“You’re welcome.” Ellis’ gaze lingered on her.

Her long hair fell over her shoulders like a dark cascade of seaweed, her face bare of makeup yet so delicate. His throat felt parched as he turned his eyes away.

“Mr. Gomez.” Hadley brushed away the last of her tears and looked up at him.

“Regarding Eric’s case, I’ll have to trouble you to give it your utmost.”

“It’s my duty.”

“Then I’ll take my leave.” She nodded politely and stepped past him.

Outside, Ernest was still waiting.

“Ernest!” Hadley quickened her steps, almost breaking into a jog.

Ellis remained where he was, forcing a bitter smile. She was avoiding him—no doubt about it.

Though Hadley had denied it that day, he knew for sure his mother’s sudden intrusion had left its mark.

From Ferris’ side, there was still no word.

He had ordered Cordell to dig into every child and grandchild he had. In just days, their wrongdoings piled up like a basket of rotting fruit.

Ferris saw everything.

Truthfully, he had known long before—but they were his blood, after all. He couldn’t bring himself to act.

But now, with Eric behind bars, he could no longer look the other way.

Hadley had been right. Only by shielding Eric could the Scott family survive.

If Eric fell, none of his other children—or their children—was capable enough to inherit the Scott empire.

Life at the Flynn Mansion carried on as though nothing had changed.

Eric’s case was kept tightly under wraps.

Given the circumstances, bail was impossible.

This was no minor matter—this was a major criminal case, not something that would be settled quickly.

Fortunately, the Flynn and Scott families had pulled some strings. Though Eric couldn’t return home, his confinement was at least bearable—comfortable, although without much freedom.

Every day, Hadley stayed close to Nyla, cared for Joy and Locke, as if the world hadn’t shifted.

Yet, without fail, she made time to visit the detention center.

Cristian, as Eric’s lawyer, had daily access—and Hadley accompanied him each time she tagged along.

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