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

Chapter 241 It’s Not Her

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Eric's felt a wave of unease crash over him. His grip on the phone tightened. “Linda, where are you?”

“I... 1 don’t know...” Her voice trembled, laced with fear and barely contained sobs. “Eric... | don’t know where |

am. It’s dark, and-" A choked breath. “I'm scared!”

“Stay put! I'm coming. Quentin is searching too-just don’t move, do you hear me?”

After hanging up, he slammed his foot on the gas pedal, the engine roaring as he tore through the streets,

heading straight for the west side of the city.

“Mr. Flynn!”

By the tEric arrived, Quentin had already located Linda's car. But something was wrong. The car door was

wide open. And Linda was nowhere in sight.

Eric's eyes scanned the dark surroundings, his pulse quickening. She wouldn’t have gone far. Maybe she stepped

out for air and lost her way.

“We need to search the area,” Eric said, his voice firm. “She should be close by.”

Quentin nodded. “Understood. Mr. Flynn, let's stay in contact.”

“Right.”

The road ahead was desolate, the darkness stretching endlessly. With barely any streetlights, Eric had to rely on

his phone's flashlight to cut through the thick shadows.

“Linda!” His voice echoed into the night. “It’s Eric! If you can hear me, answer me!”

He trudged forward, his footsteps crunching over the frozen ground. The further he went, the more

treacherous the mountain path became. The sleet stung his face, his visibility reduced to almost nothing.

Then-his phone buzzed. Quentin.

He quickly answered, “Hello?”

“Mr. Flynn, we found Miss Harris. She's injured, but-" A brief hesitation. “She refuses to cwith me. She

won't budge. We need you here.”

Eric exhaled sharply, rubbing his temple.

“Where are you? I'll be there-hold on.”

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< Chapter 241 It's Not Her Turn

Just as the call ended, his phone rang again. Another call?

A sharp gust of wind suddenly blew past him, carrying ice and snowflakes straight into his eyes. He wires.

instinctively squeezing them shut

His footing slipped. The phone new from his grasp, crashing against the frozen earth.

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Eric’s breath caught as he watched its light flicker a few feet away. It was still finging

Who could it be?

Hadley?

He reached out, his fingertips brushing the ice just inches away from it but the phone was still out of reach

The ringtone stopped. Eric cursed under his breath, frustration curling in his gut. But then, the phone lit up

once more.

Eric’s heart pounded against his ribs. His mind raced. Was it Hadley?

Was she in trouble? Had something happened? If she needed him, if she was hurt, alone, waiting for him- His

jaw clenched at the thought. He had to answer.

Ignoring the stiffness in his muscles, he lunged forward, stretching his arm as far as it could go. But then, the

ground beneath him shifted.

He lurched downward, his feet desperately scrambling for purchase, but the loose, icy soil provided nothing to

hold onto and he tumbled down the slope.

Hadley was half-drifting between sleep and wakefulness when the sharp trill of her ringtone shattered the

silence.

Who would be calling at this hour?

Joy?

Blinking against the dim glow of the screen, she glanced at the caller ID. Phillips?

A strange shiver ran through her, snapping her further awake. After the exhausting chaos of the night, could she

not get even a moment's rest?

Suppressing the annoyance bubbling in her chest, she sighed and swiped to answer. “Yes, what is it?”

“Hadley!”

Phillips‘ voice was urgent-too urgent. The tension in his tone hit her before his words did. “Mr. Flynn is injured-

it’s bad. He's being rushed to the hospital. I'm on my way to pick you up. Get ready, now!”

The line went dead before she could respond.

“Wait, what?” Hadley sat frozen, the phone still pressed to her ear.

Eric? Injured? He was supposed to be out looking for Linda. How could he be injured? And seriously injured? Her

mind raced with possibilities, each one more terrifying than the last. Without wasting another second, she

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Chapter 241 It’s Not Her Turn

threw back the covers and shot out of bed.

She barely registered slipping into her clothes. By the tshe reached the staircase, a pair of headlights

flashed through the window. Phillips was already there.

The ride to the hospital was a blur.

By the tthey arrived, Ernest had already gotten there, waiting just outside the emergency wing.

“Ernest,” Hadley called, her voice tight. She rushed toward him, her face pale.

“Don’t worry,” Ernest said with a sigh. “The doctors did an initial check-Eric’s injuries aren't life-threatening.”

Hadley exhaled, nodding slightly. “Oh...”

But the words didn’t comfort her. Not life-threatening? That was too vague.

What about the rest of his injuries? Broken bones? Permanent damage?

Before she could ask, the door to the trauma center swung open, and a doctor stepped out. Ernest was on his

feet in an instant. “How is my brother?”

“Mr. Flynn, your brother needs to be taken to the operating room immediately. His injuries are extensive-

beyond what the trauma center can handle.”

Hadley felt an invisible force press against her chest.

Ernest, however, wasted no time. His jaw tightened, his decision immediate. “Understood. I'll sign the papers.

Just make sure you do everything you can.”

The doctor nodded. “We'll do our best, Mr. Flynn.”

Within minutes, the necessary paperwork was signed, and Eric was wheeled out of the trauma room and straight

into the operating theater. Hadley didn’t even get a glimpse of him.

A hollow feeling settled in her stomach as she and Ernest found themselves in the waiting area outside the OR.

Ernest exhaled, breaking the silence. He reached out and gave her shoulder a reassuring pat.

“Don’t be afraid.” His voice was calm, unwavering. “Eric will be fine. The doctor said his injuries aren't critical.”

Hadley swallowed hard, her throat dry. “I know, Ernest,” she murmured. Her hands were tightly clasped in her

lap, her knuckles pale. “I'm not afraid.”

This was Ernest Flynn. He wouldn't let anything happen to his brother. He had the resources, the best doctors,

modern medicine-Eric would survive. And yet, Hadley’s heart refused to settle.

After what felt like an eternity, Quentin arrived.

He looked tense, his eyes scanning the room, but Hadley quickly realized-he hadn’t cjust for Eric. Linda

was here too.

Ernest seemed to read the situation instantly. He stood, straightening his coat. “Hadley, I'll leave Eric to you,” he

said. “I'm going to check on Linda.”

Hadley met his gaze, hesitating for only a fraction of a second before nodding. “Okay.”

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She remained seated, watching as Ernest walked away. His steps were firm, purposeful.

The worry that had been clouding her mind all night suddenly felt... misplaced.

What was she even worrying about?

The one who should be concerned wasn’t her, and it wasn’t her turn...

A tired sigh escaped her lips. She leaned back in the chair, closing her eyes.

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The exhaustion she had been holding at bay finally crept in, numbing her thoughts.

Tslipped away from her.

“Hadley... Hadley?”

Her brow furrowed as she blinked awake, her mind sluggish from exhaustion. The overhead fluorescent lights

cast a dull glare, making her squint.

Phillips stood before her, arms crossed, his expression caught somewhere between shock and disbelief. She had

fallen asleep? Eric was in surgery and she was out here sleeping? Didn't she care at all?

“Wake up,” he said briskly. “The surgery is over. Mr. Flynn is out.”

“Oh, okay.”

Hadley’s breath caught, and any remaining drowsiness vanished instantly. She looked up and, sure enough, the

doors to the operating room were open.

At spoint, Ernest had returned. He was standing just ahead, speaking to the doctor in low tones.

“Mr. Flynn will be transferred directly to a VIP ward,” the doctor said. His tone was calm, professional. “There's

nothing critical to worry about. He will need tto recover, but rest assured, his condition is stable.”

“Thank you, Doctor.” Ernest nodded, his tone polite but firm.

Hadley stepped forward, her voice soft but steady. “Ernest?”

“Yes?” He turned toward her, his sharp gaze scanning her face. His frown deepened slightly as he took in her

sleepy expression. “Eric has been moved to a regular ward. We can see him now.”

Hadley swallowed, nodding quickly. “Alright.”

Inside the private VIP ward, the atmosphere was quiet, almost too still.

Eric lay motionless on the hospital bed, his face pale, his breathing steady but shallow. The anesthesia still held

him in its grip, keeping him locked in unconsciousness.

Ernest, standing beside her, finally broke the silence. “Eric should be fine now. You should stay here with him. At

least, for a while.”

Hadley nodded. “I will, Ernest. Don’t worry.”

Satisfied, Ernest adjusted the cuffs of his suit, already preparing for his next task. There was never just one thing

on his plate-he still had Linda to check on as well. Without another word, he turned and left, his footsteps

echoing down the corridor.

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The room grew still again. Hadley sighed softly, rubbing her temple as fatigue settled over her.

Ttrickled by. The dark sky outside gradually gave way to soft morning light, filtering through the blinds.

Eric didn’t stir.

Hadley checked the ton her phone. It was morning already. With a quiet sigh, she walked to the door, pulling

it open-only to find Phillips standing there, about to enter.

“Hadley?” he said, glancing past her toward Eric. “Is there something you need?”

She shook her head with a polite smile. “No, | was just about to leave. | have work, so | need to go.”

She took a step forward, intending to pass him. But before she could, Phillips reached out and grabbed her arm.