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

Chapter 144 Gratitude Is

Better Than Resentment

Upon hearing the urgency in Eric's voice, Phillips immediately grasped the situation. “Mr. Flynn, do we need to

intervene?”

Eric affirmed with a subtle nod. “Yes.”

After all, he couldn't ignore such a significant risk near Hadley. This incident involved severe abdominal pain

during a typhoon that had shut down all traffic!

The potential disaster had been narrowly averted thanks to his timely intervention.

Alita’s malice was clear.

At the stime, Denver made his way to the hospital urgently.

“Has someone named Hadley been admitted recently?”

“Yes, she’s currently in Emergency Observation Room 3.”

“Thanks!” Denver expressed his gratitude.

Upon entering the quiet observation room, he moved cautiously towards the bed and took a seat beside it.

“Hadley...”

Denver grasped her hand tenderly, his voice low and concerned. “I'm sorry for arriving late... I'm relieved to see

you're alright...”

There was a faint movement of Hadley’s hand within his.

“Hadley?” Denver's voice showed his surprise. “Can you hear me?”

She grimaced slightly, her eyelids fluttering open. “Denver... is that you?”

The pain had clouded her awareness, leaving only fragments of memory of being carried swiftly to the hospital.

It was unexpected yet somehow anticipated. It could only be Denver who would cto her help like this.

Through the storm, with all routes shut down, he alone would defy the odds for her.

“Yes, I'm here.” Denver confirmed, his face shadowed by concern. “Apologies for the delay. How do you feel

now?”

Her voice was weak but filled with warmth. “Much better, thank you.” She paused, a mix of confusion and

gratitude in her eyes. “How did you find out | was in trouble?”

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Chapter 144 Gratitude is Better Than Resentment

“Barrie informed”

Ah, that made sense to Hadley. Stella had been with Blanche at the resort.

She paused, her eyes resting on Denver's soaked clothing “You're soaked.”

“It’s fine.” Denver reassured her with a casual smile. “Just couldn't stay dry in the downpour.”

A wave of gratitude washed over Hadley, realizing the lengths he had gone to for her.

“Denver, | can’t thank you enough...”

He dismissed it with a quick shake of his head. “Really, it was nothing”

How could he think it trivial? His timely intervention might have saved her from a severe medical crisis

“Denver...”

Hadley adjusted herself in bed, reaching towards the nightstand.

“Do you need something?” Denver quickly inquired.

“Need this?” He grabbed the large towel from the headboard.

“Yes,” Hadley responded with a nod, before Denver handed the towel over.

With a chuckle, Hadley teased, “It’s not for me. You're the one who's all wet. Get your jacket off and dry off

your hair.”

“Got it.”

Smiling, Denver accepted the towel, and Hadley reached up to drape it over his head. “Make sure to dry off

quickly, we don’t want you catching a cold.”

“Will do.”

A moment of shared laughter followed as their eyes locked with mutual warmth.

At the doorway, Eric observed the scene, his hands buried in his pockets and his expression turning increasingly

stern.

Phillips, right behind him, remained utterly silent, aware of the tension.

Then, without a word, Eric spun on his heel and strode away briskly.

Phillips knew instantly that trouble was brewing!

Phillips scrambled after his boss. “Mr. Flynn, what's our destination?”

“Fool!” Eric retorted, casting a withering look at Phillips. “Can’t you see? We're heading back to Srixby!”

Did he have any place in Hadley’s heart anymore?

“Perhaps...” Phillips faltered, his voice low. “Shouldn’t you go back and clear things up? After all, yo Hadley

tonight...”

scued

“Not happening.” Eric dismissed the suggestion with a cold gaze. “Am | supposed to wait for her gratitude?”

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That soft look Hadley gave Denver, the smile meant only for him.

Eric couldn’t help feeling foolish.

Denver's family wasn’t the problem. This was about what the two of them truly wanted. Did he really think he

stood a chance?

Ridiculous. Absolutely ridiculous!

Even if Eric ran over, what difference would it make? Hadley would never look at him that way.

Phillips parted his lips, ready to say that, if nothing else, gratitude was better than resentment.

But one glance at Eric's darkened expression, and he swallowed the words before they could leave his mouth.

“Back to Srixby!”

“On it!”

Morning crept in, the storm outside still lingering, though its fury had eased since the night before.

Denver stepped back inside, phone in hand.

He had only stepped out for a quick work call, but by the the returned, Hadley was already awake.

“You're up?”

“Yeah.”

The thin walls of the observation room did little to muffle sound.

She had heard enough to know he was needed elsewhere. “I'm feeling better. You should go take care of work.”

Before he could argue, she added, “The nurse mentioned Elissa is on her way. She'll be here soon, so | won't be

alone.”

“Glad to hear it.”

Denver didn’t get up right away. Instead, he studied her for a moment before speaking. “Hadley, do | finally get

to be unblocked?”

Her mind stalled.

“I'm not asking for much,” Denver said, his voice cautious, almost hesitant. “I'm trying, Hadley. | just want a

chance.”

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There was no easy way out of this.

She was fine now all because of him. Wouldn't shutting him out now seem ungrateful?

“Please, Hadley. Just takeoff your blocked list.”

His eyes held so much quiet hope that she couldn't bring herself to say no. After a beat, she gave a small nod.

“Alright.”

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Chapter 144 Gratitude is Better Than Resentment

“Yes!” Denver shot to his feet, grinning. “You said it! No backing out now!”

Hadley chuckled. “I don’t even have my phone. Elissa will bring it when she gets here.”

Before either of them could say more, Denver's phone buzzed again.

“Go on,” Hadley said. “Work won't wait forever.”

“Yeah, yeah.”

He had no choice but to leave. With no safetyfrom his family, his future depended entirely on his own effort.

“I'll head out. Callif you need anything!”

“Got it.”

Not long after he walked out, Elissa stepped in.

Elissa arrived with soup in hand. “Had the hotel kitchen whip this up early this morning. Here, letfeed you.”

“Alright.”

As Elissa carefully spooned the food to Hadley, her gaze flickered around the room. “Wait... where did he go?”

The sudden question caught Hadley off guard. For a moment, she assumed Elissa meant Denver. “Oh, he had

something to take care of. He just left.”

A knowing smile tugged at Elissa’s lips. “Not gonna lie... last night, he stepped off that helicopter and took you

away. It was like something straight out of a romance movie!”

Hadley froze.

A helicopter? Denver flew in on a helicopter just for her?

“Seriously!” Elissa’s eyes sparkled with excitement. “I mean, who does that? He literally pilots his own

helicopter! Hadley, you sure know how to pick them!”

A weight settled in Hadley’s chest.

Why hadn't Denver told her? Did he assshe’d remember? Or was he keeping quiet to avoid making her feel

obligated?

Either way, there was no ignoring it now.

Turning him down... just becfar more complicated.