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

Chapter 200 Gratitude Doesn't Entitle You To R...

What?

Shock flashed through Eric’s narrowed eyes, disbelief etched across his face. “How did this happen?”

Everything had been settled-he’d personally intervened-and regardless of the confusion, Elissa had clearly

shoved Linda!

“The police informedthat Miss Harris dropped all charges.

“What did you say?” Eric was even more confused.

Had things really unfolded this way?

Tension hardened Eric's features, his voice becoming cold with urgency. “We're going to the hospital-now.

“Understood, Mr. Flynn.”

A loud crash echoed as Eric forcefully swung the hospital room door open.

“Eric?”

Linda had barely opened her eyes when she saw Eric storming toward her, his barely restrained fury tightening

her chest.

Smiling nervously, Linda asked softly, “What's wrong? Who's managed to make you this angry so early?”

A cold smile twisted Eric’s lips, and his chilly glare intensified the heavy silence in the room.

He went straight to the point, voice sharp and accusing. “Explain why you dropped the charges.”

“Hmm?” Linda raised an eyebrow in mild surprise before smoothing her hair casually. “Are you referring to

Elissa? Hadley visitedyesterday, and well...”

“Hah Eric scoffed, his sarcastic amusement thinly veiled. “You're saying you suddenly becmerciful because

Hadley begged you?”

Linda's irritation grew steadily beneath his harsh tone

Her smile remained carefully controlled as she answered coolly, “Hadley is still a Flynn by adoption, isn’t she?

Family members help each other. Since she asked, it was natural forto consider her feelings.”

“Stop pretending you care!”

Eric's rage erupted, overwhelming any remaining restraint.

Chapter 200 Gratitude Doesnt Entitle You To Run My Life

His voice sliced sharply through the silence. “You think I've been blind this whole time? | know exactly how you

feel about Hadley. Do you seriously expectto believe you'd suddenly show mercy just because she asked

nicely

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“Eric-" Linda faltered, her confidence slipping as her face turned pale.

She stared at Eric and said, “You're right, kindness isn’t in my nature. But if I'd refused her, don’t you think she

would've crunning straight to you?”

For a brief moment Eric hesitated, but then his lips curved into a bitter, knowing smirk. “Perfect! You planned it

all along. You knew | was just waiting for her to reach out, didn’t you? And you made sure that never happened”

“Yes, | did!”

Linda met his troubled eyes with an unwavering stare. Her voice softened, filled with conviction. “Eric, face it-

you and Hadley just aren’t right together. Why drag this out? Just end it already.”

“What?”

The shock on Eric's face froze him. He stood there silently, as though she’d slapped him awake.

Soon, disbelief spilled out as laughter.

“Really, Linda?” His eyebrow curved mockingly. “You think we're not right?”

“Do you honestly think you are?”

Surprise flashed across Linda's face at his unexpected reaction, and irritation followed close behind. “Hadley

barely tolerates you!”

“And you're speaking for her now?” Eric snapped back, voice rumbling with barely restrained frustration. “How

could you possibly know how she feels?”

“Seriously?”

Anger darkened Linda's eyes as she bit her lip in frustration.

“Eric, use your head! Hadley’s the one constantly doubting there’s something going on between us. She never

trusted you, never like you! Tell me, how can feelings even grow from that?”

“Is that right?” Eric wouldn't budge.

He straightened, towering over her in his black suit, its sharp lines accentuating his commanding presence, as

he eyed her coldly.

“Itow about you, Linda? Ernest insists there’s no one else, but you refuse to believe him. By your standards,

doesn’t that mean you don’t really care for Ernest?”

“You've gone too far!” Linda's composure shattered, tears welling as her voice trembled with grievance. “Have

you lost your mind? You're actually putting Hadley andon the slevel?”

“Why shouldn't I?”

His eyes narrowed skeptically. “Isn’t that exactly what you're doing to me?”

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Chapter 200 Gratitude Doesnt Entitle You To Run My Life

“Eric, you-

Overcby rage, Linda grasped at her chest, gasping as words failed her.

“Linda.” Eric paused, eyes closed, gathering himself before speaking again. “I didn’t chere intending to

fight. There's something important you need to understand. Years ago, you pulledback from death's

doorstep. Without your help, | wouldn't be here today. I've repaid you by looking after you and the Flynn family

ever since. But gratitude doesn’t entitle you to run my life!”

“Run your life? Is that a joke?”

Bitterness tainted Linda’s laughter. “You're exploiting Hadley’s closest friend just to make her crawl back to you.

That's manipulation, Eric! You can’t bully someone into loving you.”

Eric visibly stiffened, his composure barely holding together.

In a voice disturbingly calm, he replied, “If I'm the one making the move, and I'm satisfied with the result, who

gave you the right to judge me?”

Linda stood motionless, stunned.

Did he really just say that?

She was at a loss for words, unable to find a rebuttal.

Eric cast her one final, steely glance. “Consider this your last warning. Stay out of my private life from now on.”

“Eric, wait...”

He ignored her, disappearing before she could protest further. Thankfully, at least she'd secured Elissa’s phone.

Going back on promises-that was Eric’s decision and his problem to deal with, not Linda's.

Predictably, Hadley appeared at the hospital that safternoon.

“Linda!”

“You don’t have to explain,” Linda said quickly, raising her palms in helpless surrender. “I kept my promise and

dropped the charges, but Eric refuses to let it rest”

She sighed, continuing softly, “I did all | could to change his mind, but he’s determined to press charges

anyway.”

“But that makes no sense,” said Hadley, confused lines creasing her forehead. “You're the victim, and even you

aren't pursuing this.”

“You're right. But assault is considered a crime. The victim's forgiveness doesn’t always stop the law.”

What?

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Hadley’s mind was on the verge of snapping!

She glanced at Linda, a bitter laugh escaping her lips-how naive she had been, completely misjudging Eric's

devotion to Linda.

A woman he treasured, someone who haunted his memories, had been harmed. Of course he wouldn't let it

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slide.

Chapter 200 Gratitude Doesn't Entitle You To Run My Life

Even if Linda had forgiven everything, Eric would still demand justice for her pain.

Silently, Hadley turned and walked away.

Linda squinted after Hadley’s departing figure, a subtle smile of satisfaction curling at her lips. Who could've

guessed she'd be the ultimate winner in this complicated game?

True, her leg was injured-but she now held Elissa’s phone in her hands.

Judging from Hadley’s wounded pride, she probably despised Eric by now. Would Hadley still seek him out?

Linda silently prayed that Hadley wouldn't. She simply couldn't stand the idea of Eric and Hadley being together

again.

In fact, Hadley had no intention of returning to Eric, too.

Her hesitation wasn’t due to pride. Rather, Eric's fierce protection of Linda had reached such extremes that

Hadley suspected even begging wouldn’t change his mind.

Yet, no matter what, she had to confront him.

This mess was her f

fault. Elissa shouldn't suffer the consequences alone.

still, she wouldn't humiliate herself in front of Eric.

Hadley had her own strategy-though it might not be entirely honorable.

After stepping outside the hospital, Hadley headed directly to the Flynn Group.

Standing before the building, she dialed Eric's number.

To her surprise, the call connected after only a few rings.

“Hello...”

“Hello?” The voice that answered belonged to Phillips, not Eric. “Hadley? Are you trying to reach Mr. Flynn? He's

occupied at the moment. Why don’t you cupstairs and wait for him?”

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