“Fine.” Hadley faced him directly, her resolve clear. “We’ll let the courts decide. I believe in justice!”
“You sure don’t back down easily, do you?”
“Sit down, both of you!” the officer ordered.
“Enough!” he added, ending the confrontation.
At that moment, a junior officer approached and quietly informed the senior officers. “That woman’s phone keeps ringing.”
“Must be her relatives,” the officer mused.
Upon their arrival at the station, both Hadley and the biker’s phones were confiscated, cutting them off from external communication.
The officer looked toward the steadfast Hadley and instructed the junior officer, “Next time it rings, answer it. Tell her family to get here. They might help sort this out.”
“Understood.”
Meanwhile, at Silver Villas, Eric, frustrated and anxious, tried Hadley’s number once more. This time, the call connected!
“Hadley!” Eric exclaimed as soon as the call was answered. “Where are you? It’s so late. Why aren’t you back yet?”
“Hello, this is the police station. Hadley Pearson is involved in a serious incident. You must be a relative. Please come to the station immediately.”
“I’m on my way!”
Ending the call, Eric felt his patience wear thin. Once again, Hadley had found herself in trouble. Ever since she returned to Srixby, chaos seemed to follow her wherever she went.
Now, she was being held at a police station for assault?
This wasn’t just another minor issue-it was serious.
Grinding his teeth, he grabbed his keys and stormed out, heading straight for the police station.
The city was eerily quiet at this hour, with the roads nearly deserted.
Eric arrived at the station in under thirty minutes.
Just as he stepped forward, a young officer blocked his way. “This area isn’t open to just anyone. Who are you?”
“They called me in.”
His expression remained impassive, his gaze unwavering. “I’m here for Hadley Pearson. I’m her… friend.”
“Hadley Pearson? Very well, go ahead.”
The officer granted him entry and shouted back into the station, “Someone’s here for Hadley!”
“Really? Send them through!”
Seated inside, Hadley was taken aback. Who could it be?
She turned in confusion, only to meet Eric’s stern visage, which only deepened her bewilderment. Why was he here?
Eric’s expression was grave, his demeanor cold.
“Hadley, tell me the truth. Did you orchestrate this? Are you trying to complicate my life now? Is this your way of holding on to me?”
The situation was painfully reminiscent.
Four years ago, with Linda’s incident, Eric had similarly rushed to judge, jumping to conclusions without understanding the full story or knowing all the details.
Hadley parted her lips to speak but then chose silence.
Let him think what he pleased.
Their paths would soon diverge completely, leaving no connection between them. His opinion of her was irrelevant.
“Are you going to say anything?” Eric let out a short, bitter laugh when Hadley remained silent. “I must have hit the mark, huh? Grandma actually thought you’d changed, that you’d grown wiser! How ridiculous!”
For a moment, even he had believed she had changed. But clearly, it had all been an act.
A police officer finally intervened, pulling Eric aside. “Sir, please calm down. Let me explain the situation first.”
“Fine.” Eric exhaled sharply, forcing himself to rein in his temper. “Go ahead.”
The officer laid out the details before adding, “Our recommendation is a private settlement. A small compensation fee, and the case is closed. There’s no concrete evidence, and honestly, taking this to court would be a pointless drain of time and money. It’s just not worth the hassle, wouldn’t you agree?”
Processing the information, Eric fell into a contemplative silence. His eyes flicked toward Hadley. Was this really how things had played out?
Had some biker actually harassed her, and she had only acted in self-defense? She wasn’t deliberately stirring up trouble?
Reconsidering the situation, it was only because he hadn’t given her a ride that she ended up crossing paths with that thug…
Eric’s expression darkened, his jaw tightening as he mulled it over. Turning to the officer, he made his decision. “Fine, we’ll go ahead with the settlement-“
“No!” Hadley abruptly shot up from her chair, her posture firm as she faced the officer directly.
“Officer, I don’t know this man. He has no authority to speak for me. I refuse the settlement! I’m not paying a single cent!”
“This is-“
“Hadley!” Eric’s patience snapped, his face paling with rage. “Enough of this! It’s only five grand! Are you really going to turn this into a whole ordeal? Don’t listen to her-I’ll handle the paperwork!”
“Understood, please come this way-“
“Eric!” Hadley’s teeth clenched as she glared at him, fury burning in her eyes. “This isn’t your decision to make! I said no settlement!”
Eric’s features twisted in frustration at her defiance. Was she seriously going to drag this out instead of taking the easy way out?
His gaze swept over her pale face before his voice turned mocking. “Is that so? And what exactly do you plan to do about it? I’m handling this whether you like it or not!”
“Eric!” Hadley’s frustration boiled over as she watched him override her decision. Her eyes stung with anger. Five thousand dollars wasn’t just pocket change!
Despite her protests, Eric ultimately made the payment, signed the necessary documents, and finalized the settlement.
“Alright, head over to collect your belongings, and you’re free to go.” Eric thanked the officer, and his focus shifted back to Hadley. “Let’s go. Get your things, and we’re leaving.”
Without so much as a glance in his direction, Hadley stood and walked straight to the officer.
“Here’s your bag,” the officer handed it over. “Make sure nothing’s missing.”
“Alright.” She rummaged through it, checking each item-her phone, keychain, pepper spray, and… half a brick.
“Everything’s accounted for.”
Just behind her, Eric’s gaze landed on the unexpected object. Pepper spray made sense, but a half-brick? “You actually carry this around?”
Eric picked up the brick, his eyes narrowing as he noticed the dried blood staining its surface.
Hadley remained silent, taking it from his grasp and attempting to tuck it back into her bag.
“Hold on,” the officer raised a hand, stopping her. “Miss, that’s considered a dangerous object. You can’t take it with you.”
Her brows lifted in surprise. “I can’t?”
“That’s right.” The officer gave a knowing smile. “It’s not a knife or anything, but it’s still a potential weapon. You wouldn’t be able to get through subway security with that. Consider yourself lucky this time that no major harm was done. Next time, you might not get off so easily.”
A hint of reluctance crossed her face before she let out a quiet sigh.
“Understood.”
She tucked the rest of her belongings into her bag and zipped it shut.
“Appreciate it, officer.”
“No problem.”
Without another word, Hadley turned and strode out of the police station. Her pace was brisk, her movements decisive.
“Hey! Hadley!” Eric’s voice rang out as he hurried after her, struggling to keep pace. “Slow down! I’ll drive you home!”
“Don’t touch me!” Hadley whirled around, her eyes flashing with alarm as she shot him a sharp glare.
“Stay back!”
Eric halted instantly, lifting his hands in a gesture of surrender. “Alright, I won’t touch you. I won’t get any closer. Just take a deep breath.”
This was unfamiliar territory-he had never seen Hadley this guarded, like a cornered animal prepared to fight back at any moment.
Without thinking, his tone softened, becoming careful and measured. “My car’s parked just over there. It’s late. Let me take you home, alright?”
Hadley’s rigid posture slowly eased.
Fatigue weighed heavily on her, and the thought of another unexpected encounter-or worse, another trip to the police station-was too much to bear.
“Fine.” She nodded, gripping her bag tightly. “Let’s go.”
Eric exhaled, relieved that she didn’t refuse, and guided her toward the car, holding open the passenger-side door.
Instead of getting in, Hadley bypassed it completely, heading for the back seat. She pulled the door open and slipped inside without a word. Eric hesitated before shutting the passenger side door and circling around to the driver’s seat.
As the car cruised through the quiet streets, his eyes flicked to the rearview mirror.
Hadley had curled herself into the corner, her eyes shut tight, making it clear she wasn’t in the mood for conversation.
A deep frown creased Eric’s forehead.
This version of Hadley felt unfamiliar-so far removed from the girl he once knew.
Nearly thirty minutes later, they pulled into Silver Villas. He eased the car to a stop and said, “We’re home.” Yet, the person in the back seat remained silent. “Hadley…”
Glancing back, he found her slumped against the seat, her eyes shut and lips slightly parted. Had she fallen asleep?
Without giving it much thought, he stepped out, opened the back door, and gently nudged her shoulder. “Wake up. We’ve arrived.” She remained unresponsive.
“Hadley…”
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