Too Late, Mr. Billionaire: You Can't Afford Me by Thedora Birnir

Chapter 114 Why Should |

Put A Stranger Ahead Of...

Ernest's expression flickered between surprise and concern.

He let out a quiet, indistinct sound and furrowed his brow at Denver, as if he eagerly wanted to say something

Denver felt a little out of place.

“Alright, alright.” Linda gave Ernest's hand a reassuring pat. “You don’t have to worry. Nyla already gave Denver

her approval, so there's nothing to be concerned about.”

She turned to Denver with a warm smile. “Ernest sees Hadley as a younger sister. Now that she has a boyfriend,

it’s only natural for him to be protective. He doesn’t mean anything by it.”

“Got it,” said Denver with a nod. “I understand.”

He met Ernest’s gaze. “You can rest easy. My feelings for Hadley are genuine, and I'll make sure she’s happy.”

Ernest seemed to relax a little, though a slight crease remained between his brows.

Once they stepped out of the hospital room, Linda walked them to the elevator.

“I need to stay with Ernest, so | won't be able to further see you off. Thanks for stopping by.”

“It’s no big deal,” said Denver. “Go back inside. Hadley and | can manage.”

“Alright.”

**Linda walked back to Ernest’s room, and Hadley remained quiet.

“Hadley?” Denver waved a hand in front of her. “You look lost in thought. What's going on?”

“Nothing...”

Snapping back to reality, Hadley gave a small shake of her head.

Something about Linda’s behavior felt off. Maybe there was more between her and Ernest than she let on.

But there was no point in overthinking it.

Ernest was now awake, and that was what mattered the most.

And the truth about the past would have to wait until he had fully recovered.

“Let's go.”

“Yeah.”

13:38

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Chapter 114 Why Should | Put A Stranger Ahead Of You

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Denver took the wheel and drove Hadley back to West Toreifth Alley

They ran into a bit of traffic near a shopping district.

As the car idled at a red light, Hadley leaned against the window and took a bong breath “Sonsething els

incredible.”

Denver glanced at her, amused by the way her expression softened. “Yeah? What is er

The windows were shut, so he couldn't smell anything himself

“There.”

Hadley pointed to a corner down the street. “Smells like honey-roasted nuts. You can’t mistake that st

“Letcheck it out,” Denver said with a light laugh. “Hang on.”

As soon as the light turned green, he drove on a bit before pulling over near the stand

Hadley frowned as he unbuckled his seatbelt. “What are you doing?”

Denver shot her a look. “Getting you those nuts.”

Without another word, he stepped out of the car.

“Hey!” Hadley hesitated for a moment before hurrying after him.

As expected, a decent line had formed at the stand. Denver took his place at the back and motioned for Hadley

to join him.

“Just wait a little. We'll have ssoon!”

“Denver...”

Hadley chuckled. She had only made a passing remark about them.

She glanced past the crowd and spotted him easily. Counting on her fingers, she kept track. “Six people ahead...

Now five...”

Her thoughts drifted to Joy, who loved these treats just as much.

Hadley missed her daughter terribly. Even though they video-called every few days, it wasn’t enough. She just

hoped the surgery would be scheduled soon so they could finally be together again.

Lost in thought, she didn’t realize Denver had already reached the front of the line.

“Ill take the honey-roasted ones,” he said.

The vendor grinned. “You're in luck. This is the last batch.”

“The very last?”

A woman peeked over Denver's shoulder. The vendor gave her a nod and repeated, “Yes, this is the last batch.

He just bought it.”

“Hey, handsome!” Noticing it was a man, she clasped her hands together in a pleading gesture. “I've been

craving these honey-roasted nuts all day. Could you lethave them instead?”

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Chapter 114 Why Should | Put A Stranger Ahead Of You

“Well...”

If the treat had been for himself, he might have considered it. But this time, it wasn’t just about him.

He shook his head with a polite smile. “Sorry, | can’t.”

“What?”

The woman blinked, clearly not expecting a refusal. “Con. Don’t be so stingy.”

Denver didn’t argue. He simply smiled. “Sorry.”

She huffed and crossed her arms. “Alright then!”

Forcing a grin, she tried again. “I'll give you five bucks extra. That should change your mind, right?”

“Still no,” Denver said, unfazed. “It’s not about the money.”

He glanced at Hadley, who stood a few steps away. “I'm really sorry. Maybe you'll have better luck next time.”

“Sir, here you go,” the vendor said, handing over a paper bag.

Denver took it without hesitation and gave the frustrated woman a polite nod.

“Truly sorry,” he added before turning away.

He walked straight to Hadley and held out the bag like a trophy. “There you go! The vendor said they're the most

popular and this was the last batch, so go ahead and try some!”

He opened the bag and took a whiff. “Smells really divine!”

He then picked up a peanut and held it up to Hadley’s lips.

“Here, give it a try.”

“Alright.”

Hadley leaned in and took a bite.

“Well? How is it?” Denver asked eagerly.

Hadley gave a thumbs-up. “It’s really good.”

“Glad to hear it.” Denver grinned and grabbed another. “Here, have another.”

She hesitated. Just moments ago, she had seen that woman practically begging him, yet he refused to give them

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up.

Pressing her lips together, she looked at him. “Why didn’t you just let that woman have it? Weren't you worried

people would think you were rude?”

Denver paused before letting out a chuckle. “I did feel bad for her, but more importantly, | want you to have

them. Why should | put a stranger ahead of you?”

Hadley’s breath caught, and her eyes turned misty.

For the first time, someone had put her first.

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Chapter 114 Why Should | Put A Stranger Ahead Of You

“Hey, what's wrong?” Denver's eyes flicked to Hadley’s as tears well up in her eyes and shimmered at the

corners. “You're not choking, are you?”

A thought struck him. Nuts could easily get stuck in someone's throat if not chewed properly.

“Do you need water?” He fumbled for a solution. “I have a water bottle in the car. I'll go grab it!”

He started to take a step, but then hesitated. “Cwith me. It'll be faster if we go together!”

Hadley let out a soft laugh, wiping at her eyes.

“Relax. I'm not choking.”

“Are you sure?” Denver studied her face, his gaze lingering on the redness around her eyes. “Then what is it?”

She picked up a cashew and popped it into her mouth. “They're just... really good.”

“Huh?” Denver blinked, momentarily thrown off. But as he caught the bright smile on her face, his own

expression softened.

He had & feeling he knew the real reason behind those tears.

“Hadley, no matter what, there will always be someone who cares about you. | don’t know if I'm the first, but |

know | won't be the last.

11

A tightness formed in her chest, and for a moment, she struggled to hold back tears.

She drew in a deep breath, and then broke into a wide smile and nodded with conviction. “Yes, | believe that

too.”

Maybe there would be more people coming along and treating her kindly in the future, or maybe not. Either way,

she would never forget this moment when she was indeed, genuinely cherished.

A few days later, something unexpected happened.

< Too Late, Mr. Billionaire You Can't