Though it seemed everything was settled easily, Erick felt more irritated than relieved. A nagging thought bothered him that things shouldn't have ended this way.

Erick leaned forward, about to speak, when Elin, like a bird startled into flight, quickly backed away and rushed out the door. Her departure Looked more like an escape than a mere exit.

As Elin raced through the door, she collided with the driver, who had just arrived. His worry eased a bit when he saw her. "Thank goodness you're here! I've been worried sick. I couldn't find you anywhere!" he exclaimed, his voice filled with relief.

The driver had served the Foster family for years and had grown close to Annis. Elin, a model child, had always had a special place in his heart, and over time, he had come to adore Elin as if she were his own daughter.

Confronted by the driver's concerned look, Elin quickly adjusted her clothes, worried he might spot something wrong. Her voice was raspy as she apologized, "I'm sorry to worry you."

The driver tenderly stroked Elin's head and asked with genuine concern, “What happened? Why are your eyes red and puffy?"

Before Elin could respond, Erick came over, frowning when he saw her still standing in the cold wind. “Why aren't you in the car?"

Elin looked down and answered softly, "I was waiting for you to get in first, sir."

Erick was taken aback by her sudden shift in demeanor, leaving him momentarily speechless. He then walked over to the car.

After Erick got inside, Elin went to the passenger door and had just opened it when she heard his stern command. "Get in the back."

Her hands trembling slightly, Elin slid into the backseat, trying to make herself as small as possible. A sharp pain down there gripped her, causing her to curl up.

“Are you still feeling unwell?" Erick asked, his concern evident as he reached out to check her forehead.

At his touch, Elin instinctively flinched away, pressing herself against the car window to put distance between them.

Erick's hand froze in midair, his fingers tightening.

Elin's face showed no emotion, her voice steady and reassuring as she said, "I'm fine."

Elin's calm demeanor convinced Erick to drop his concern and focus on other matters. His priority was to deal with the aftermath of the bar incident. He was determined to find the person responsible for drugging him.

The car sped down the road, moving quickly and quietly, the silence within almost palpable.

Maybe it was the relentless ache of his headache or the remnants of his hangover, but Erick leaned back and closed his eyes, seemingly drifting off to sleep.

Elin tried to make herself smaller, hiding within the large folds of Erick's suit and even muffling her breaths.

As they drove past a pharmacy, Erick's sharp command cut through the silence. "Please pull over."