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

Chapter 168 She Doesn't Want Him Anymore

Hadley arrived with a clear purpose. Her lips pressed tightly, she offered a solemn apology.

“Forgive me. That day, | was out of line... | shouldn't have spoken to you that way.”

Could she be here just to apologize?

Eric's eyes narrowed, though he remained silent.

Out of nowhere, Eric staggered and fell towards her.

His strong frenveloped her immediately.

Feeling overwhelmed, Hadley grimaced and instinctively pushed against him. “Eric...”

“Humph.”

His eyes chilled as he felt her resistance. “Is this your way of saying sorry? If you can’t even stand my embrace,

why bother coming?”

“No...”

Hadley was quick to clarify.

“It’s not about not letting you hold me. It’s just that you're quite heavy-l wasn’t prepared to catch you.”

His acceptance of her explanation was evident.

Raising an eyebrow, Eric drew her close. His breath was warm against her ear, his tone both low and seductive.

“Hadley, I'm feeling lightheaded.”

Now that he was so close, the strong smell of alcohol was unmistakable.

Clearly, he had been drinking heavily that night, which explained his dizziness.

Hadley clenched her teeth and gathered her strength to help him. “Let's get you inside.”

Her strength was barely enough to maneuver him onto the couch, and she started to sweat lightly from the

effort.

“Ugh... hmm...”

Eric moaned from the couch, clutching his head. “Hadley, I'm really not feeling well.”

“I can see that.”

With a concerned frown, Hadley said, “Rest here for now. I'll go make something for you.”

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She walked away but quickly returned with a blanket in hand.

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After draping it over him, she made her way to the kitchen.

Having been a resident here for stime, she knew exactly where everything was stored.

She put the kettle on and found the honey jar. When the honey water was ready, she brought it out to the living

room.

“My head is killing me!” Eric, displaying childlike behavior, called out petulantly, “Hadley! Where did you go?”

“Right here!”

Hadley hurried to his side and supported him. “I was in the kitchen making shoney water for you.”

“I don’t want any!” Eric grimaced, turning his face away.

With patience, Hadley encouraged him. “You mentioned your head hurts, right? This should help.”

She gently brought the cup to his mouth.

He eyed the cup suspicious?

“Did you prepare this? For me?”

“Yes.” Hadley confirmed. Was there an issue?

“Ah.” A faint smile crossed Eric's face. “In that case, I'll have some."

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Acknowledging her effort, he leaned in to sip the honey water she offered, taking it in small gulps.

Once he finished, he clutched Hadley’s hand tightly. “Please stay, don’t leave. Hadley, stay with me...”

With that, he slumped back onto the sofa, falling into a deep unconsciousness.

Hadley attempted to withdraw her hand but found it impossible. Could he really be this strong even while

asleep?

As the first light of day filtered in, Eric jolted awake and rose from the sofa, shouting, “Hadley!”

Silence met his call.

He found himself alone, the blanket fallen to the floor, with no sign of Hadley in sight.

Eric touched his forehead, pondering whether the previous night had been a mere illusion.

Hadley hadn't shown up... She must have been disgusted by him, believing he was having an affair with Linda.

She didn’t want him anymore.

The sound of footsteps then broke the silence.

Eric looked up sharply.

‘Are you up now?”

Hadley approached him, her hair neatly braided and hung over her slender waist.

Eric gulped. So, it hadn't been a dream. She had indeed been there.

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20:45

With a slight sense of grievance, he asked, “Where were you?”

“Just in the kitchen,” Hadley responded, gesturing towards it. “Your kitchen was pretty empty, so | just whipped

up ssandwiches. And there's a big pot of coffee, considering you drank last night.”

She stooped to retrieve the blanket, folding it carefully.

Looking up, she inquired, “How are you feeling now? Is your head still bothering you?”

“It’s better,” Eric replied, shaking his head slightly. “Just a little dizzy, that’s all.”

“Well, that’s to be expected.”

Clutching the folded blanket, she continued, “I'll put this away. You should wash up and eat something-t'll make

you feel better.”

“Alright... thanks.”

Eric got up and walked into the dining room. Hadley was setting the food on the table, bathed in the soft morning

light, which seemed to cast a gentle glow around her.

Without speaking, he gently wrapped both arms around her waist, drawing her softly against his chest

Surprised, Hadley stiffened slightly, caught off guard by his sudden closeness.

Yet the tension left her quickly, and she softly said to him, “Take your seat. Breakfast is nearly done.” “Hadley,”

Eric whispered, unmoving, as he nestled his face against the curve of her neck, his voice quiet yet earnest.

“Linda and I have known each other since childhood.”

Hmm?

His words startled her briefly. Was he trying to explain himself?

“Whatever people say about us isn’t true-there’s nothing inappropriate between us.”

Eric's voice grew strained as he admitted, “Yes, I've cared for her over the years, but that’s all there is to it. De

you trust me?”

This was his way of reassuring her?

It was fortunate that Eric couldn't see her expression, otherwise, the skepticism would've been obvanes

“Of course,” Hadley murmured, keeping her voice carefully neutral, eager to end this conversation quickly. 7

trust you

Yet, deep down, her thoughts didn’t match her words at all.

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“Hadley

Gently, Eric turned her toward him, his fingers supporting her waist while his other hand cupped her head.

palling her close as be kissed her deeply

She hadn’t expected such intensity.

Shaken, Hadley instinctively placed her pal against his chest, intending to push him away

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Chapter 168 She Doesn't Want Him Anymore

Yet, she managed to stop herself.

After a brief moment of hesitation, her hand slowly lifted and gently settled around his neck.

with a slight raise of his eyebrows, Eric’s surprise was evident. His arms tightened around her, pulling her in for a

deeper kiss.

He noticed Hadley’s initial resistance was fading.

She was starting to accept him.

“Hadley, Hadley...”

Eric's self-control was slipping.

“Enough!”

Realizing the impending risk, Hadley pushed him away swiftly. Her face was flushed, her lips slightly swollen.

In a tone that mixed teasing with irritation, she asked him, “Are you going to eat, or what? | woke up early to

cook, you know.”

“I will!” Eric flashed a wide grin, his eyes sparkling with amusement. “I'll eat everything you've made!”

What a fool!

Back in the day, he had endlessly grumbled about her cooking. Yet now, for Linda, he seemed ready to tolerate

any discomfort.

Following their meal, they left the house together.

Eric took Hadley to her dance studio.

“Just one thing.” Before stepping out of the car, something occurred to Hadley, and she swiveled towards him.

“May | ask a favor?”

“What is it? Do you even need to ask?” Eric was eager to oblige. “Tellwhat you need, and I'll take care of it.”

“Well, it’s just...”

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

Chapter 16