Chapter 504

"Hayden!"

I grabbed his arm, my voice barely steady. He looked down, his eyes meeting mine, and for a second, I couldn't get the words out. My lips trembled, but he understood.

Just as the knot in my throat tightened, he murmured, low and rough, "We need an answer."

With that, he gently slid my hand off his arm, took the envelope, and opened it.

His movements were quick, almost like he was afraid if he slowed down, I might stop him.

Inside, a few lines were scrawled on yellowed paper, but I couldn't bring myself to look. Hayden read each word, carefully, his face set. When he was done, he glanced at Cedric, as if asking for confirmation.

Cedric nodded, his voice low. "I knew what this report meant, which is why I had it double-checked. Three independent repair shops examined everything, and their findings are in there too."

Hayden reached in and pulled out additional sheets. Each document was as aged as the first, but all of them bore signatures and official stamps.

This was re