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

Chapter 117 Better Keep

His Distance

When Denver got there, he found only Marshall and Barrie waiting

Marshall gestured for him to take a seat. “What's going on?” he asked.

Barrie put his glass down and turned to Denver, “Marshall toldyou neededfor something What's up? If

there's anything I can do, just say the word.”

“Appreciate it, man.”

With tpressing and Hadley’s disappointed face fresh in his mind, Denver wasted no time.

“I'll cut straight to it. Here's what's happening...”

Barrie listened closely, his expression growing tense as he took it all in.

“So that’s how it went down?”

He recalled how hard Eric had pushed to get Hadley out of Galant and into Blanche’s troupe.

But before she even had a real chance to prove herself, she was cast aside.

“Barrie.” Denver's voice was urgent. “Your mom and Ms. Nicolson are pretty tight, right? Do you think you could

talk to her?”

“Well...”

Barrie hesitated to reveal that Eric had already cashed in that favor.

Even so, refusing outright wasn’t easy. After a pause, he finally gave a nod. “Alright. I'll bring it up with my mom

and see if there's anything she can do.”

“Seriously, thank you!”

“Hey...” Barrie shot him a look. “Hold off on that. No promises this will work.”

Barrie had heard from his mother that Blanche was known for her strictness. The only reason she had made an

exception for Hadley was because of her undeniable talent and skill.

But this time, it wasn’t about talent-it was about Blanche’s rules.

This wasn’t going to be easy.

Denver felt the weight of the situation pressing on him, but he held on to whatever hope he could. “No matter

what happens, | appreciate you trying.”

“Yeah, sure,” Barrie said as he got to his feet. “I'll call her right now.”

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Chapter 117 Better Keep His Distance

“Really appreciate it.”

It wouldn't take long to make a call.

True enough, Barrie was back in no time, still holding his phone. “Alright, | talked to my mom. Now we just have

to wait and see what she says.”

“Got it.”

Denver gave a slight nod, though a faint frown remained. Then, turning to Marshall, he said, “Well, | should get

going...”

“Whoa, hold on!”

Marshall stopped him before he could leave. “You're already here- might as well stay for dinner.”

“Nah, I'll pass.”

Denver smiled, though there was an apologetic edge to it. “Hadley’s pretty down about all this. | doubt she’s

eaten.”

She needed someone to check on her, make sure she got something in her stomach, and let her know things

might still work out.

Denver glanced at Barrie and gave him a nod. “Seriously, thanks again. I'm heading out.”

“Well...” Marshall watched him go, and then let out a sigh. “Man, he’s got it bad for Hadley.”

“I can’t blhim,” Barrie said with a knowing look. “Don’t you think Hadley’s changed a lot?”

Barrie had a point.

Marshall nodded. “Yeah. She's really grown up.”

The loud, reckless girl from before was gone.

Now, Hadley carried herself with a calm confidence, her striking appearance only adding to the sense that she'd

transformed into someone entirely new.

No wonder Eric had taken an interest.

Whether that would end up being good for her, though, was still up in the air.

Just then, the private lounge door swung open, and Eric walked in. Traffic had held him up, making him arrive a

little later than planned.

Marshall and Barrie exchanged an unspoken look, their smiles carrying the shint of amusement.

Eric eyed them suspiciously as he leaned back against the couch. “What's with you two? You look weird Are you

sick or something? Need a doctor?”

Barrie was the first to speak. “Yeah, sick over Hadley.”

Marshall added, “Classic case of jealousy syndrome.”

They exchanged glances, their amusement only half-hidden. “Eric, what kind of medicine do you recommend?”

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Eric furrowed his brows, clearly puzzled.

“I'm being serious,” Barrie said, though he barely held back a chuckle. “Denver cby earlier looking for me.”

As a friend, Barrie felt Eric had a right to know what Hadley was going through.

After laying out the situation, Barrie turned to him. “So, what are you planning to do about this?”

“that

Eric hesitated for a moment before letting out a short, dismissive laugh. “What does this have to do with me?

Denver's already handling it.”

He was the ex-husband now. That meant keeping his distance.

Barrie let out a sigh. “Even if my mom steps in, | wouldn't hold my breath.”

Denver made his way back to West Twelfth Alley.

“Hadley...”

As the door swung open, Hadley couldn’t hide her surprise. What was Denver doing back here again?

“Don’t let this get you down.”

Standing under the soft hallway light, his sharp features were softened by a quiet concern. Tm trying to find a

way to fix this for you.”

He brought up Barrie's mother for a moment, touching on her connection to Blanche. “So perhaps there's still a

possibility.”

Hadley stood there, momentarily taken aback.

Denver had only been gone a short while, yet he had already done this much for her.

Even if things didn’t work out in the end, there was no way she could turn him away again.

A small smile appeared on her lips. “Have you eaten yet?”

“Huh?” Denver looked startled before shaking his head. “No... Actually, | was just about to ask you the same

thing...”

“Then lettreat you to dinner. Just wait here for a second...”

Hadley stepped back inside to grab her purse. Once she returned, she locked the door behind her. “But don’t

expect anything fancy. Even if it's cheaper than what you used to, you're not allowed to complain.”

“Would | ever? Do you really think I'm that kind of person?”

She already knew the answer-of course, he wouldn't mind. If he did, she wouldn't have even suggeste

The neighborhood had an old-town charm, carrying an easygoing atmosphere. It wasn’t trendy, but it had

everything a person could need.

Hadley led Denver to a small, cozy restaurant.

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It was the nicest place she had been to since returning. Given Denver's background, suggesting anything

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Chapter 117 BATTAY Kang His Distance

cheaper would have felt a little sorward

They were led to a nice table and then placed their orders

“I heard their panta in incredible, Hadley cupped a hand wound her mouth and mocke in a tasted sIm

planning to have the entire plate tonight, actually

She lifted her index finger to emphasize her point

Then, with a playful sigh, she grumbled, “Normally, | have to be careful about my cat make par to keep my

shape...”

To keep in top form for her performances, she had been on a strict der lately.

“Tonight, I'm indulging

There was a lighthearted childishness in the way she said it.

Denver chuckled. Now I'm starving”

He shrugged off his blazer and draped it over the back of his chair, leaving only his shirt beneat

Hadley paused for a moment, and then smiled

Denver was actually wearing the one she had made for hima

She tilted her head. “So... the shirt, huh? Her eyes ficked over it before she asked, “How's the it?”

Denver lifted his arm slightly, flexing it as if to prove a point. Fits like a glove.” He glanced at her with a small

smirk. “You never even took my measurements, but somehow, you get it exactly right

Hadley gave a modest shrug “A skill passed down from my grandmother.*

She smiled again, her expression proud but playful ‘I wouldn't say I'm perfect at it, but | can usually make a

pretty good guess.*

Then, with a touch of hesitation, she admitted, “Though, to be fair, it’s just plain cotton instead of anything

fancy.”

The fabric was cotton. A stark contrast to the luxurious fabrics Denver was used to-fine wool, six blends, tailored

perfection.

But Denver immediately shook his head. “What do you mean, just cotton?” He ran his fingers over the sleeve as

if proving his point. “This is actually great! It's soft, breathable-really comfortable.”

Every stitch held meaning. No high-end material could compare to something made with that kind of care.

“So glad you like it.”

Hadley’s smile widened, warmth filling her eyes.

Seeing him appreciate her gift, not just wear it out of politeness, lifted her mood more than she could have ever

expected.