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

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< Too Late, Mr. Billionaire: You Can't AffordNow

Chapter 185 It’s My

Pleasure

“Helicopter? A stormy night? What are you talking about?” Hadley asked.

Elissa blinked, equally thrown. “You seriously don’t know?”

Know what?

The truth hovered just within reach, painfully clear.

Hadley pressed fingers to her temples, thoughts spinning into order. “Wait-so you're tellingthe person who

flewto the hospital back when we were in Tidebourne was actually Eric?”

“Umm... yeah,” Elissa replied slowly, confusion deepening in her voice. “You really had no idea? Didn't you see

him when you woke up?” Elissa sounded incredulous now. “It was such a huge thing-he never even brought it

up?”

No, he hadn’t. And Hadley hadn’t thought to ask.

Eric probably assumed she’d already known, while she’d spent all this tconvinced it had been Denver.

Hanging up the call, Hadley shut her eyes tight, the sudden realization overwhelming her. She recalled clearly

how Denver had repeatedly insisted he hadn't done anything special.

Apparently, it wasn’t modesty-it was honesty.

But if it wasn’t Denver, then where had Eric been that whole time?

She hadn’t seen him when she woke up at the hospital. Had he left before she regained consciousness?

Yet what baffled her even more was the very idea of Eric piloting a helicopter from another city-just for her.

Denver doing that made sense; he'd openly shown his affection and care.

But Eric? Could Eric possibly have feelings for her?

The mere thought nearly made Hadley burst out laughing.

Ridiculous! Completely absurd!

As she wrestled with these thoughts, Eric finished his call and approached her, still holding his phone.

Hadley lifted her gaze toward his striking features. Without thinking, she reached out her arms. “Hold me.”

Eric froze momentarily, his Adam’s apple shifting as he swallowed. The softness in her voice was utterly

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disarming, especially this early in the morning.

Noticing his hesitation, Hadley teased him, eyes playful yet challenging. “Why are you staring atlike that?

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< Chapter 185 It's My Pleasure

You don’t want to hold me?”

She pouted slightly, pretending irritation. “I'm barefoot. If | walk upstairs myself, aren't you going to scold me

again?”

She was seated; he towered above her.

She tilted her chin upward, eyes glittering softly, drawing him in irresistibly.

She truly was breathtaking.

Eric had always known Hadley was beautiful-but in the past, he'd never felt compelled to possess that beauty.

Now, however, the idea of anyone else even glancing at her made his heart twist uncomfortably.

“I'm more than willing to hold you,” Eric finally said, voice low and gentle.

He leaned down, easily scooping her into his arms. “In fact, it's my pleasure.”

Effortlessly, he carried her upstairs, gently laying her down on the bed. “Want to sleep a little longer?”

“No,” Hadley replied softly, shaking her head. “Too much sleep now, and I'll be up all night.”

“Alright.”

Eric stood, fetched a tablet, and placed it gently in Hadley’s lap. “Here, keep yourself busy-watch sshows

or play games. I'll finish swork and be back soon.”

Hadley rolled her eyes playfully, feigning irritation. “Go ahead. I'm not a child who needs constant attention.”

“Alright, alright.”

He laughed lightly, tucking the blanket snugly around her. Just before leaving, he hesitated, turning back with a

curious look. “By the way, when did you plan on tellingyou'd moved?”

Hadley’s pulse quickened involuntarily.

She shrugged nonchalantly, her voice intentionally cool. “I didn’t think | had to. The old place was cramped,

outdated, and now, | share the apartment with someone else. Yesterday was just an accident. Next time, don’t

just barge in like that-it’s inappropriate.”

“Inappropriate?” Eric raised an eyebrow, suddenly recalling something. “Wait, the people you're sharing with-

they have a child?”

Hadley’s breath caught, palms growing clammy. “How did you-"

He chuckled softly, pinching her cheek teasingly.

“Con, did you think | wouldn't notice? Yesterday, | saw children’s things lying around.”

His expression suddenly darkened. “You're not living with a couple, are you? That would mean a man-"

“What nonsense are you thinking?”

Hadley quickly interrupted, eager to protect Joy at all costs. She kept her tone convincingly casual. “Relax, it's

just a single mom and her kid.”

Eric visibly relaxed, relief washing over him. “Ah, good.”

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“So, you really shouldn't keep dropping by whenever the mood strikes you.” Hadley seized the chance to

reinforce her point. “Please don’t show up unannounced again.”

With a sly smile, Eric leaned closer and pulled her gently against his chest. “Fine. But promiseyou won't just

run away like this again. Do you realize how desperate | get when | can’t find you?”

Desperate?

Hadley scoffed inwardly. He sure knew how to tize his concern.

Feigning indifference, she replied playfully, “You look fine tonow. Where's all this desperation you're

claiming? Maybe you weren't desperate enough.”

Eric sighed, utterly defeated by her stubborn charm.

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He didn’t stay much longer, quickly retreating to the study to deal with his work.

As soon as he stepped out, Hadley’s playful facade faded. She tossed the tablet aside, sinking deeper into

confusion.

Her thoughts twisted painfully, circling the simpossible question. Could Eric actually have feelings for her? It

seemed so improbable.

Yet, given his recent actions...

What if it was true after all?

Hadley was young and resilient, and thanks to Eric’s careful attention, she'd regained most of her strength after

only two days of rest.

The bruises were fading, though a bandage still wrapped around her right hand, marking the lingering trace of

her injury.

Her incident had quickly made the rounds among the dance troupe. Everyone knew by now that she had some

kind of connection with Eric Flynn. Blanche was still recovering and had yet to return, leaving the temporary

manager to be in charge who thoughtfully adjust Hadley’s schedule, placing her performances earlier so she

could leave promptly and rest properly.

For two consecutive evenings, Eric had personally picked her up and brought her back to Silver Villas.

His reasoning was simple-her injuries weren't fully healed, and she needed care. Yet, Hadley knew better. Now

that Eric had discovered her new apartment, she didn’t dare risk returning there and having him uncover Joy's

existence.

Her safest option was playing along, staying at Silver Villas until everything calmed down.

That evening, Eric arrived promptly after her performance, waiting outside as usual.

The moment Hadley settled into the passenger seat, Eric leaned over and fastened her seatbelt, eyes filled with

gentle amusement. “I'll take you to eat something nice later.”

Hadley glanced at him suspiciously. “What are you plotting now?”

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Chapter 185 It’s My Pleasure

Elissa had stormed out, locked in a heated argument with another woman.

Elissa was at it again!

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