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

Chapter 174 Jealousy

Hadley regained consciousness quickly, stirring before they could even get to the hospital.

Rubbing her forehead and squinting, she murmured, “Uh... What...”

“Hadley?” Denver's voice trembled, laden with worry.

“Huh?” Confusion clouded Hadley’s expression. “Denver?”

She pieced together that she had slipped and hit her head, but confusion lingered-why was she in Denver's

vehicle? Had his been the car that nearly hit her?

“Is that really you?”

“Yes, it's me.”

“What are the odds?”

“Indeed, what are the odds!” A wry smile crossed Denver's face.

It seemed fate was always concocting ways to draw people close, only to tear them away again.

“Um...”

Hadley shifted awkwardly in his embrace, uncomfortable with the closeness.

Snapped out of his daze, Denver's face turned a shade of red. “I apologize. You collapsed suddenly, and | just

wanted to make sure you were okay.”

While explaining, he gently helped her adjust to a more comfortable position in the seat.

“I understand.” Hadley reassured him with a smile. “No need for explanations.”

She gestured towards a nearby intersection. “You can dropoff over there.”

“How could | possibly do that?”

Immediately, Denver shook his head, firmly rejecting her suggestion. “You've just been in an accident and lost

consciousness briefly. It’s essential you get checked out by a medical professional.”

“Really, it’s unnecessary...”

“We're nearly at the hospital.”

Determined not to yield, and with the hospital in view, Denver continued, “I couldn't just leave anyone in this

condition, much less...”

Particularly when it cto Hadley, whom he cherished deeply.

Their gazes locked momentarily, prompting Hadley to quietly agree with a nod.

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Chapter 174 Jealousy

Soon, they reached the hospital.

Hadley underwent a medical examination and stests.

The tests revealed no serious issues, yet the doctor advised an overnight stay for observation due to her brief

loss of consciousness.

Denver handled all the necessary paperwork and stayed with her as she settled into the observation room.

This room was more compact than a regular ward and did not have an extra bed for companions. Resting against

the bed, Hadley felt uncomfortable. “Denver, I'm really okay now. You should head home.”

“What are you saying?” Denver dismissed her suggestion and adjusted the blanket. “I'm staying right here with

you tonight.”

“Denver...”

She attempted to convince him otherwise, but Denver interjected, “Stop. If | went home, I'd just end up worrying

about you and not sleeping anyway. It makes more sense forto stay here and make sure you're alright.”

Realizing she couldn't sway him, Hadley relented.

Throughout the night, the nurse checked in on Hadley twice, reminding her, saying, “If you feel nauseous or

have any discomfort, please let us know right away.”

“Thank you,” Hadley responded.

A hush enveloped the room, filling the air with a touch of awkwardness.

“You...” Hadley eventually pierced the silence. “How have you been lately? Is your injury better?”

“It’s all better now.” Denver offered a reassuring smile, though it wasn’t entirely truthful.

Hadley could tell something was off as she noticed a slight limp in his step. Neither of them brought it up

directly, though.

“That's great to hear.”

She nodded, feeling the conversation dwindling.

“How about you?” Denver inquired.

“Life’s been much the same, spending my days with the dance troupe, immersed in rehearsals and

performances.”

“That's great.”

Denver hesitated and almost broached a new topic. He wanted to ask about her relationship with Eric. Was

everything okay there? Was he treating her well?

The words he wanted to say lodged in his throat, and he chose to keep them to himself.

Gently, he adjusted the light to a softer glow.

“Try to get srest.”

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Chapter 174 Jealousy

“Okay.” Hadley turned away and shut her eyes, her hands tensing and shaking subtly.

In the softened light, Denver remained seated beside her, silently observing.

He silently wished the quiet moment would stretch on.

As the banquet concluded, Eric retreated to a secluded spot, massaging his cheeks. Hours of obligatory smiling

had left his facial muscles tense.

He took out his phone and checked it.

The screen showed no new messages or missed calls.

There had been no word from Hadley throughout the evening!

He glanced around, and then, with a stern look, he began dialing her number.

But then...

It went straight to voicemail.

Eric wondered to himself, could it be a poor signal?

After ending the call, he tried once more, only to receive the smessage.

What happened? Why didn’t she pick up? Or maybe she was intentionally ignoring his calls?

He had been hopeful that Hadley would pick up immediately when he called again.

Yet, there was no response.

“Eric!”

At the end of the corridor, Linda's voice carried over as she maneuvered Ernest in his wheelchair, signaling to

him. “We're leaving! Aren't you coming?”

“On my way!”

With a nod of acknowledgment, Eric expressed his annoyance, pocketed his phone, and followed them.

It didn’t matter anymore.

Ignoring Hadley might actually bring him squiet! Another call, however, would surely mark him as foolish!

That night, sleep eluded Eric.

He frequently grabbed his phone, attempting to reach Hadley yet again, but to no avail.

What was happening?

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His initial irritation slowly morphed into concern.

Could something have befallen Hadley?

Perhaps she was sick?

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It had started to snow, had she ventured outside? Did something happen?

The more he pondered, the less he could rest.

With the first light of dawn, Eric stepped out of his home.

Early that morning, before the hospital staff shift change, Hadley pressed Denver to finish the discharge

formalities.

“Let’s sort this out now before it gets too hectic,” she suggested.

“Understood.”

After completing the necessary forms, Denver drove her to the Mayfield Road.

“This will do,” said Hadley as she stepped out into the softly falling snow.

“Hadley!”

In a sudden move, Denver exited the car and, despite his injured right leg, hurried over to her.

He unfolded a scarf, draped it around her neck, and gently covered her head and face.

“With the snow falling, this should keep you warm. Make sure you don’t catch a cold.”

As Hadley gazed up at him, her emotions swelled, forming a knot in her throat.

Denver's expression remained reserved, yet his eyes betrayed a deep emotion.

Tears welled up in Hadley’s eyes, and her throat tightened. She gently removed the scarf, extending it back to

him.

“Please, take this. I'm not cold.”

Caught off guard, Denver's smile held a trace of sadness. “You've rejectedalready, and now you refuse even

a simple scarf?”

“Denver,” Hadley said, her voice faltering, shaking her head in distress. “That's not what | intended. I...”

“Just keep it. It’s merely a scarf. It’s all | have left to offer. There could have been so much more...”

“Enough! Are you not listening? Does she need to say it louder?”

An imposing, stern voice cut through the air. Hadley’s head snapped up to see Eric emerging from his car.

Upon noticing her tear-stained cheeks, a wave of jealousy washed over Eric.

As he turned to Denver, Eric’s posture stiffened, filled with evident tension.

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