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

Chapter 171 | Won't Compete With You

Eric couldn't wrap his head around it. Even after everything, Hadley still seemed to keep him at arm’s length.

His brows drew together as he studied her. “What's on your mind?”

Hadley blinked up at him. “Why? You upset?”

She paused, and then let out a quiet laugh, her tone light but deliberate. “You know, things are kind of perfect

the way they are right now.” She leaned back slightly, her lips curving with amusement. “Seeing each other once

in a while keeps things interesting. If we moved in together, all that excitement would wear off, and soon

enough... we'd just start getting on each other's nerves.”

“I wouldn't.” Eric's response was immediate, firm.

Hadley arched a brow. “Oh? You sure about that?”

Tilting her head, she shot him a knowing look. “Think back, Mr. Flynn. | used to be around you all the time, and if

| remember correctly... you hated it.”

So, she really went there. The past-the version of him who had pushed her away at every turn.

His jaw tightened, but Eric couldn’t argue. She wasn’t wrong. He had been reckless with her before, taking for

granted what he hadn't realized he wanted until now.

For a moment, silence settled between them, thick and unspoken.

Hadley caught the shift in his expression, the way his mood darkened. Great, now he was brooding.

With a quiet sigh, she smirked and casually reached over, looping her pinky around his.

Eric's sharp gaze flickered to her hand, and then back to her face. “What are you up to now?”

Hadley’s grin widened. She gestured toward her plate, eyes flicking up to meet his. “It’s too much | won't be able

to finish it all. Helpout?”

Eric chuckled under his breath. She sure knew how to get her way.

And yet, without a second thought, his body moved on instinct. He took her plate, effortlessly giving in. “Alright,

I'll finish it.”

What could he do?

She had him wrapped around her finger. Everything about her-her tone, her words-was always just right. Not too

forceful, not too timid. And that voice of hers? Soft, smooth, the kind that lingered in his ears long after she

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stopped speaking.

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20:45

She had a bit of a temper, sure. But never in a way that pushed too far.

With her, everything just felt right.

“Fine. We won't talk about moving in together for now.” Letting out a breath, he leaned back. “But when you're

on break, you'll stay here. So, you still need to check out the clothes.”

Hadley considered it for a second.

Well... This arrangement worked for her, too. If she wanted to conceive as soon as possible, she might as well

take advantage of every opportunity she got to be with him.

“Alright.” She nodded, propping her chin in her hands, flashing him a playful smile. “Now hurry up and eat.”

Before Eric could respond, the doorbell rang.

“Oh!” Hadley perked up, pushing back her chair. “That must be those people from FOUR Hours! I'll go see what

they brought.”

That night was just as intoxicating as their last.

The next morning, Hadley had the luxury of time-she didn’t need to be at the stuuntil the afternoon. Eric,

however, had a trip to make to the neighboring city. They left together, and when they reached Mayfield Road,

he pulled the car to a stop.

“Ill pick you up at

noon the day after tomorrow,” he said.

“Okay.” Hadley nodded, giving him a small wave before stepping onto the sidewalk. She stood there, watching as

his car pulled away.

In the driver's seat, Eric found himself glancing at the rearview mirror-again and again. His lips curled into an

involuntary smile. He couldn't help it.

Strange... He had been married before. To this very woman.

Yet only now was he experiencing the small, subtle joys of being with someone-the quiet warmth, the unspoken

connection.

It was unlike anything he'd felt before.

As his thoughts drifted, his phone buzzed with a new message.

It was a message from Hadley.

“Stop looking. I'm leaving now.”

Attached was a tiny emoji of a little figure running away.

Huh? Eric blinked.

He quickly looked up at the rearview mirror-only to find that Hadley was already gone, having disappeared into

the crowd just like the emoji she'd sent.

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Chapter 171 | Won't Compete With You

The sales assistant’s expression turned uneasy as she spoke hesitantly to Linda. “Miss Harris, I'm sorry, but

this dress isn’t for sale.”

“Not for sale?” Linda arched a brow, tilting her head slightly.

“What's so special about it? It's still hanging here, isn’t it? That means, it isn’t taken yet.”

The sales assistant hesitated. “Well...”

Linda’s lips curved into an easy smile.

“How about this?” she suggested smoothly. “I won't waste your time-nyour price. I'll pay double for it.”

As she spoke, her fingers grazed the fabric, her appreciation evident.

“It’s stunning. Completely my style.”

The sales assistant shifted uncomfortably. “Miss Harris, your original dress is also exquisite...”

“But | prefer this one,” Linda interrupted, her tone light but firm.

“I won't make things difficult for you. Just contact the owner and letspeak to her directly. That's fair, isn’t it?”

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“Well...”

The sales assistant remained caught in a dilemma-until she spotted Sebastian stepping inside, holding the door

open as Hadley walked in.

It was Hadley’s first tvisiting this particular boutique, so the sales assistant didn’t recognize her immediately.

However, she had arrived right on schedule, and with Eric’s instructions fresh in mind, the sales assistant quickly

put two and two together.

“Hello!” the woman greeted, offering a polite smile. “You must be Miss Pearson, | presume?”

“Yes,” Hadley replied with a soft nod.

The sales assistant’s expression eased with confirmation. “Welcome, Miss Pearson. Mr. Flynn has already

arranged for your dress. It's ready for you.”

Hadley followed her gaze to the dress-only to notice that someone else had already set their sights on it.

“Hadley?” The surprise in Linda's voice was unmistakable. Her grip on the gown loosened as realization dawned.

“So... this dress belongs to you.”

Hadley met her gaze, an easy smile playing on her lips. “Looks like it. Do you like it?”

“I do,” Linda replied without hesitation. She ran her fingers over the fabric one last time, reluctant to let go. “I

really like it-everything, from the silhouette to the finer details.”

She hesitated for a moment before adding, “Tonight is Ernest's first public appearance at Flynn Group's events

since his recovery. | want to stand beside him looking my best...”

Hadley raised a brow but said nothing.

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Chapter 171 | Won't Compete With You

For a brief moment, Linda seemed to wrestle with herself. Then, with an exaggerated sigh, she stepped back.

“It’s fine,” she said at last, a tinge of sadness in her voice. “I shouldn't have set my heart on something that

wasn’t mine. Don’t worry. | won't compete with you. It’s yours.”

Ha!

Hadley almost laughed out loud.

That tone. The way she said it-as if she were the one being magnanimous, as if she were doing Hadley a favor.