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

Chapter 224 Living In A

Blissful Bubble

“What? Why?” Eric, taken aback, asked, “What's troubling our sweet Joy? Letknow, and I'll make it all better,

alright?”

“Here.”

Joy wasted no time.

She bowed her head, lifted her little arm, and gestured toward her head. “I used to have a Minnie on each side,

but now there's just one. The other one gone.”

What?

Eric needed a second to catch on.

Joy was talking about her hair clips. Initially, there had been one securing each side of her hair, but now only one

was in place.

Minnie hair clips? Eric mused internally, noting her fondness for Minnie Mouse.

He responded with a hint of sorrow, “That's unfortunate.”

“Exactly.” Joy frowned, clearly upset. “Melba and | looked everywhere, but it’s gone. It's just vanished!”

“I'm so sorry.” Eric nodded, his lips curving into a smile despite the situation.

“Joy...”

It was then that Melba chimed in.

She kept stealing looks at Eric, recalling their last meeting by the park close to her home.

Joy appeared to be quite familiar with him, clearly fond of his company.

Truth be told, the man had a striking appearance and seemed wealthy-nothing like a typical bad person.

Still, it never hurt to be cautious.

Melba coaxed Joy toward herself and offered Eric a forced smile. “Apologies, sir. She's a little restless today and

might have bothered you.”

“Not in the slightest,” Eric responded, shaking his head with a warm smile. “Joy is delightful.”

Holding Joy close, Melba said without giving Eric a chance to respond further, “We should be going then.”

As they began to walk away, Melba whispered to Joy, “Where did you two even meet?”

0.0%

X

[e]

Follow on NovᴇlEnglish.nᴇt

<+

w

21:10

Chapter 224 Living In A Blissful Bubble

“In the hospital.”

“Oh, I see.”

With a quiet sigh, Melba acknowledged their acquaintance was made at the hospital. She gently reminded Joy,

“Remember to stay close tonext time, okay? We don’t want any more stomach aches.”

“Alright.”

Resting against Melba’s shoulder, Joy asked, “What about the missing clip? Won't we search for it?”

“If it’s truly lost, it's fine,” Melba reassured her. “We'll get you a new one next twe're at the store, okay?”

“Alright.” Joy pondered for a moment and seemed to cto terms with the loss.

Then, as if struck by a sudden thought, she perked up and waved enthusiastically at Eric. “Bye-bye!”

Eric, still watching them, couldn't help but return the gesture with a smile. “Bye-bye.”

Melba, both amused and slightly frustrated, tugged Joy along. “You barely know him and yet so friendly! Come

on. Let's head back.”

With that, they hurried off.

Eric let out a soft chuckle and shifted his focus back to the parking lot.

“Back so soon?” Hadley asked as she swung open the car door for him. “That was quick.”

“Everything was prepared at the pharmacy,” Eric responded.

As he slid into the driver's seat, he carelessly tossed the medicine into the back and started the engine.

Was it just her imagination, or did Eric seem to be in a good mood? Could simply picking up the medicine had

lifted his spirits so much?

Could something significant have occurred in such a short time?

Her curiosity was stirred, but she decided not to ask-it wasn’t important.

They had just left the hospital and were now at Evergrand Mall to pick up a necklace for Nyla that she sent to the

store days ago for fixing.

Eric glanced at Hadley. “Why don’t you join me? There might be something that catches your eye.”

“I'll pass.”

Hadley felt the weight of her watch sufficient, wary of accepting further gifts.

She gestured for him to proceed. “Please, go on and be quick about it.”

“You really aren't after much, are you?”

With a playful tap on her nose, Eric commented on her lack of interest in jewelry-a rarity among women, in his

experience.

Eager not to keep her waiting, Eric quickly went inside the mall.

21.9%

[e]

[e]

7s

21:10

[I

[e]

After collecting the necklace at the store, his departure was halted by a sudden thought at the doorway.

Turning around, he approached the clerk again.

“Could you possibly have any hair clips for young girls?”

A puzzled look crossed the clerk’s face. “Mr. Flynn, what sort of clips are you after? Can you be more specific?”

Eric paused, thinking. “Maybe something with the Minnie Mouse element?”

At that, the clerk brightened and nodded. “Actually, we just got in a designer collaboration.”

She retrieved a set of hair clips from the display. “Does this match what you were looking for?”

The new hairpin was strikingly reminiscent of Joy's, yet it boasted a luxurious upgrade with white diamonds and

a red bow-both delicate and splendid.

Eric’s smile broadened at the thought of Joy donning them. She would undoubtedly adore them.

“Perfect.” He told the clerk, “There's no need for wrapping. I'll take them just like this.”

“Very well, Mr. Flynn.”

After completing the transaction, the clerk sealed the box and handed it over. Eric casually slipped it into his bag

and walked out of the store.

Upon returning to the car, he found Hadley slumped in her seat, stifling a yawn that brought tears to her eyes.

“Tired of waiting?”

He kissed her gently on the lips. “Apologies, that was the last stop. Let's head out.”

“That sounds perfect.”

At the Flynn estate, the air buzzed with activity as the family geared up for Ernest and Linda’s imminent

wedding.

Upon Eric's return, Nyla quickly pulled him and Hadley into helping with the wedding tasks.

Follow on Novᴇl-Onlinᴇ.cᴏm

Curiously, the couple of the hour, Linda and Ernest, were absent from the scene.

Eric casually inquired, “Where have they wandered off to?”

“They're...”

“We're right here,” Linda said with a beaming smile, descending the stairs with Ernest. She cast a playful look at

Eric. “What's this, Eric? Are you finding the wedding prep too taxing?”

“Absolutely not.” With a dismissive shake of his head and a smile, Eric added, “Anything for my brother and my

soon-to-be sister-in-law.”

“That's the spirit.” Linda smiled as she turned to Ernest, her voice tinged with excitement.

“Ernest, are you guys stepping out?” Eric then asked.

51.0%

21:10

<

Chapter 224 Living In A Blissful Bubble

“Yes,” Ernest responded with a slight nod.

With a beaming smile, Linda explained, “So, here's what's been happening. | organized a contest to design my

wedding dress just last week.”

“And? Did you find any you liked?”

“One stood out to me, so we're off to see the designer.” Looking earnestly at Ernest, Linda added, “It's important

that your brother comes too since he’s the groom and his input is essential.”

Ever since their wedding date was set, Linda had been radiating joy, a feeling so evident that even Hadley,

usually indifferent, noticed.

Linda’s eyes briefly fixed on the watch on Hadley’s wrist, narrowing slightly.

However, she swiftly looked away. “Con, Ernest. We should head out.”

“Alright.”

As Ernest and Linda departed, Hadley’s thoughts drifted to Elissa, who had also submitted her design. She

wondered about the results.

Given Elissa hadn't brought it up, it was likely her entry wasn’t selected.

Sebastian drove Ernest and Linda to the agreed location.

Supporting Ernest gently, Linda said, “Let's take it easy, Ernest.”

Ernest responded with a soft smile, “It’s fine. I'm getting better, really. No need to fuss.”

“I know, but I still prefer to keep an eye on you.”

Their conversation continued as they reached the venue.

Upon their arrival, the waiter welcomed them, opening the door to a private room. “Mr. Flynn