Chapter 768

Chapter 768:

In the courtyard, Eric, hearing the approaching steps, spun around sharply.

The instant his gaze landed on Ernest, his eyes flickered with disbelief.

“Ernest?”

“Yes.” Ernest inclined his head toward a nearby wicker chair before taking a seat himself. “What brings you here?”

There was no way his brother was investigating him. That much he knew. He trusted Eric completely.

“Ernest…”

Eric made no move to sit. His shock had yet to settle, his thoughts still a tangled mess.

He had followed the call Elissa made to Hadley and found this place. Which meant…

He swallowed hard, pointing toward the house, his voice edged with uncertainty. “Is there a woman inside?”

Ernest met his brother’s gaze but said nothing. That silence was an answer in itself.

A chill crawled up Eric’s spine. He knew his brother well enough—this was as good as an admission.

“Is that woman… Elissa?” he asked.

At that, Ernest’s frown deepened. “How did you know?”

So it was true!

Eric felt his stomach twist. His pupils shrank slightly in shock.

“Ernest!” Eric rubbed his forehead, his teeth grinding in agitation. “Why is Elissa here? Don’t tell me you—”

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“Nonsense.” Ernest cut him off, his tone brooking no argument.

Eric exhaled sharply. He had thought as much.

Ernest was not the type to cheat, let alone involve himself with a married woman like Elissa.

“Then what on earth is going on?”

Eric’s mind raced, trying to piece together the missing fragments. And then, as if struck by lightning, the answer dawned on him.

His gaze snapped back to Ernest, his voice lower now, more measured. “The story about Addy taking Elissa into his care… That was a smokescreen, wasn’t it? You took her straight from the hospital.”

“Yes.” Ernest admitted it without hesitation.

Eric let out a slow breath, his hands clenching and unclenching at his sides. “Why?”

As he spoke, Ernest paused abruptly. Then, as if a switch had been flipped, everything clicked into place. “Could it be…?”

Ernest watched his brother closely, deciding not to leave him guessing. In a steady voice, he said, “I don’t know what’s on your mind, but she… is Locke’s mother.”

So it was true! Just as Eric had suspected!

Eric swallowed hard, frowning as he rubbed his forehead. He paced back and forth, stopping a few times as if about to speak but hesitating.

Finally, he turned to Ernest. “Didn’t you say you wouldn’t get involved with Locke’s mother?”

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