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

Chapter 227 Genuine

Affection And Care

Joy!

Hadley was shocked by Joy's vehement response.

“What's going on here?*

Melba, too, was stunned by the sudden flare-up between mother and daughter.

She approached Hadley quickly, attempting to ease the tension. It's not ideal for Joy to accept gifts like that, but

this shouldn't cause a rift between you two over an outsider. She's just a child; perhaps a gentle conversation

would be better.”

“You're right.”

Realizing her own overreaction, Hadley felt a wave of helplessness. She had inadvertently directed her anger

towards Eric at Joy.

She paused at Joy's door, took a deep breath to collect herself, and said softly, “Joy, Mommy's coming in, okay?*

Gently opening the door, she found Joy curled up under her blanket on the bed.

Approaching with a tender smile, Hadley said, “It's Mommy. | cto say I'm sorry.”

Joy's big eyes appeared from under the blanket, gazing up at her mother.

“I'm sorry, sweetheart.” Hadley’s voice was soft, her eyes slightly moist. “I overreacted. Can you forgive

Mommy?”

“Mommy.” Joy spoke softly, her voice tinged with vulnerability as she nestled into Hadley’s embrace.

Between a mother and her daughter, resentment was fleeting,

“Mommy, please don’t be mad. It frightens me!”

I'm so sorry.” Hadley’s voice was laden with regret as she held her daughter closer. “I promise, it won't happen

again.”

Comfort enveloped them as they embraced, easing Hadley’s spirits.

After a moment, Hadley broached a sensitive subject gently, asking, “Joy, where did you first meet that nice

man?”

“In Blathe,” Joy responded, her head tilted up as she recounted the encounter.

She described how she had been bullied at a hospital in Blathe and Eric’s timely intervention.

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Chapter 227 Genuine Affection And Care

Surprised by the revelation, Hadley pondered the implications. Their connection had started much earlier than

she realized.

Could it have been destiny that brought them together?

Gently stroking her daughter's hair, Hadley inquired softly, “Joy, do you like him?”

“Yes!” Joy's response cquickly, her head bobbing eagerly. “I really like him.”

“What makes you say that?”

“He's kind to me.”

At that moment, Melba walked in to check on them, overhearing the conversation. She laughed heartily. “You're

still so young, Joy. How can you understand kindness?”

“He is!” Joy, feeling slighted yet steadfast, stood her ground. “And-he’s very handstoo!”

Melba couldn’t contain her amusement, bursting into another fit of laughter. “Oh dear, you're quite the charmer!

Is it just because he’s good-looking?”

Joy's eyes widened, a mix of earnestness and anxiety shining through. “Mommy! It’s true-he’s a good man!”

“Okay, okay.” Hadley gave in with a helpless smile. “Mommy believes you, sweetheart.”

“See, Melba?” With a victorious little huff, Joy cuddled closer to Hadley. “Mommy is the best.”

“Yes, yes, of course, your mommy is the best.”

Melba watched the mother-daughter pair make up with a contented sigh, and then cheerfully returned to her

tasks.

That night, Hadley didn’t leave Joy's side.

Her eyes lingered on the hairpins resting on the nightstand, and then wandered to the plush toy nestled in the

cabinet.

With a deep exhale, Hadley sighed quietly to herself.

Unbeknownst to Eric when he purchased these gifts, he had chosen them for his own child.

Could this connection be an unseen thread of blood ties drawing them together? They had formed a bond

despite not knowing they were actually father and daughter.

Hadley shut her eyes, replaying the scene of Eric with Joy in the park-his gaze filled with genuine affection and

care.

Such warmth and love couldn't be disguised.

It was comforting to know that Joy could one day be cherished in the embrace of her father.

Joy, too, must have craved the love of a father, right?

The following day at the dance troupe, Elissa approached Hadley with a radiant smile. “Hadley, Linda chose my

design!”

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“Is that so?” Hadley responded, her expression one of delighted surprise. “You kept that quiet! Why didn’t you

mention it earlier?”

Blushing slightly, Elissa responded with a sheepish grin, “I guess | was just worried | might jinx it.”

“You know what? That's wonderful news.” Hadley offered a playful grin. “It seems Linda is quite taken with your

design. Congratulations!”

Despite her reservations about Linda, Hadley couldn't deny the significance of her approval.

For Elissa, having Linda choose her design for her wedding, a high-profile event with the influential Flynn family

in Srixby, was nearly a guarantee of skyrocketing fame.

Elissa’s smile was broad and filled with excitement. “I just got lucky!”

“Keep pushing forward, excel at it!”

“Iwill”

Around noon, Elissa needed to purchase ssupplies for her costume-making. Since the dance troupe was

basically on a break and Hadley had stto spare, she decided to join her friend.

During their outing, Hadley picked up syarn.

She intended to knit two sweaters, one small and one large. Naturally, the smaller one was for Joy. The larger

one? It was intended for Eric.

This was her quiet thank-you for his tenderness towards Joy.

She allocated the yarn into two separate batches-one set aside for Joy at her apartment, the other destined for

Silver Villas.

Just two days later, Eric made his way back from Tidebourne.

Bypassing Silver Villas, he headed straight to the dance troupe, catching Hadley off guard as he hadn't

mentioned his return.

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“Hadley!”

As Hadley and Elissa exited through the main entrance, there stood Eric, clad in a camel coat, his stature

imposing, his smile wide and welcoming.

“Carry on.” With a gentle nudge and a cheerful wave, Elissa excused herself, saying, “I'll leave you two to it.”

Approaching him briskly, Hadley exclaimed, “You're back? Why the secrecy?”

Grasping her hand, Eric replied with a twinkle in his eye, “Thought I'd give you a little surprise. How did | do? Are

you pleased?”

Hadley offered a subdued smile, choosing not to voice her inner musings.

“Con,” Eric said as he enveloped her in an embrace. “Let's dine out tonight.”

Their destination was the cozy Winterley Restaurant.

Upon receiving the menu, Eric confidently selected their meals. “These should be good.”

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Before handing the menu back, he quickly added, “And please, hold the ginger and cilantro. Green onions and

garlic are okay.”

Hadley paused mid-sip, looking at him curiously.

Eric flashed her a teasing glance. “Caught you looking You're the one who dislikes ginger and cilantro, right?”

It was true he didn’t mind them; his palate was quite accommodating

A look of mild astonishment crossed Hadley’s face. “You remembered?”

“Was it supposed to be a challenge?” Eric quirked an eyebrow. “After all the meals we've shared, did you think |

wouldn't notice?”

Indeed, she realized, they had shared countless meals, yet he never noted such specifics in the past.

Quietly, Hadley resumed sipping her water, her thoughts a whirl of emotions.

“What's that?” Eric's attention was drawn to a small bag resting on the chair next to her.

“Don’t...”

Hadley tried to intervene, but Eric had already grabbed the bag and peered inside.

“What's this?” His fingers brushed through the contents. “Yarn?”

His gaze shifted to Hadley, filled with curiosity. “You're knitting something?”

His expression becmore intense. “Who's that for?”

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