Chapter 675

Chapter 675:

She had strategically waited for Eric to leave before she felt comfortable stepping in.

“Mommy!” Joy was visibly happier. “You’re here!”

“Yes, sweetie.”

Managing her emotions and smiling, Hadley unveiled the thermal container she brought. “Were you waiting long? Here’s your favorite pie, all ready to eat.”

Even after leaving the hospital, Eric’s thoughts lingered on what he could possibly do for Joy.

Though not his daughter, he felt an inexplicable bond with her.

His phone interrupted his reverie.

It was Ernest calling.

“Ernest,” Eric answered with a swipe.

From the other side, Ernest’s voice came through. “Eric, head over to Maple Bay. There’s something important we need to discuss.”

“Right now?”

“That’s right, immediately.”

“Understood—I’ll head right over.”

Eric ended the call swiftly and drove straight toward Maple Bay.

Visiting Quentin’s home wasn’t unusual, but this time felt strangely different.

Moments after pressing the bell, Quentin appeared in the doorway.

“Mr. Flynn,” Quentin said, stepping aside. “Please, come in.”

“Much appreciated.”

gⱯ𝗅𝗇𝗈ν𝖊𝗅𝘀.𝗰𝓞𝗺, 𝓬𝓱𝓮𝓬𝓴 𝓬𝓸𝓶𝓹𝓵𝓮𝓽𝓮 𝗺𝗼𝗿𝗲 𝗰𝗵𝒶𝓅𝓉𝑒𝓇𝓈

Giving Quentin a brief nod, Eric walked inside.

“I’ve been waiting,” Ernest said quietly from his seat on the couch.

“Ernest,” Eric acknowledged warmly before glancing around curiously. “What’s the reason for all this mystery?”

With visible effort, Ernest attempted to rise, prompting Eric to quickly retrieve the cane resting nearby.

“Here you go.”

“Thank you,” Ernest murmured, accepting the cane and studying Eric carefully.

“Follow me upstairs.”

“Alright,” Eric said, though an unsettling feeling gripped him.

He followed Ernest upstairs.

Reaching the top, Ernest paused solemnly outside a particular room.

Eric’s confusion deepened. “What’s going on, Ernest?”

Ernest nodded. “There’s someone you need to meet.”

Taking a careful breath, Ernest twisted the knob, gently pushing the door open. Eric peered cautiously inside.

Within the modestly sized room, things appeared slightly cluttered yet deliberately arranged—items lined neatly along the walls, leaving open floor space covered by a soft carpet.

At the center sat a young boy, around three, fully engrossed in stacking colorful blocks.

Stunned, Eric shot an astonished glance toward Ernest.

Before he could speak, Ernest quietly shut the door, careful not to disturb the boy’s focus.

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