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

Chapter 15 His Lips Met Hers "I'm on my way!" Ending the call, Eric felt his patience wearing thin. Yet again, Hadley had landed herself in trouble. Ever since she returned to Srixby, chaos seemed to follow her everywhere.

Now, she was being held at a police station for assault? This wasn't just another minor issue-it was serious.

Grinding his teeth, he grabbed his keys and stormed out, heading straight for the police station.

The city was eerily quiet at this hour, the roads nearly deserted.

Eric pulled up at the station in under thirty minutes.

Just as he stepped forward, a young officer blocked his way. "This area isn't open to just anyone. Who are you?" "They calledin." His expression remained impassive, his gaze unwavering. "I'm here for Hadley Pearson. I'm her... friend." "Hadley Pearson? Very well, go ahead." The officer granted him entry and shouted back into the station, "Someone's here for Hadley!" "Really? Send them through!" Seated inside, Hadley was taken aback. Who could it be? She turned in confusion, only to meet Eric's stern visage, intensifying her bewilderment. Why was he here? Eric's expression was grave, his demeanor cold.

"Hadley, tellthe truth. Did you orchestrate this? Are you trying to complicate my life now? Is this your way of holding on to me?" The situation was painfully reminiscent.

Four years ago, with Linda's incident, Eric had similarly rushed to judge, leaping to conclusions without grasping the entire situation or knowing all the details.

Hadley parted her lips to speak but then chose silence.

Let him think what he pleased.

0.0% 19:11 < Chapter 15 Mis Lips Met Hers Their paths would soon diverge completely, leaving no connection between them. His opinion of her was irrelevant.

"Are you going to say anything?" Eric let out a short, bitter laugh when Hadley remained silent. "I must have hit the mark, huh? Grandma actually thought you'd changed, that you'd grown wiser! How ridiculous!" For a moment, even he had believed she had changed. But clearly, it had all been an act.

"Uh..." A police officer finally intervened, pulling Eric aside. "Sir, please calm down. Letexplain the situation first." "Fine." Eric exhaled sharply, forcing himself to rein in his temper. "Go on." "Alright." The officer laid out the details before adding, "Our recommendation is a private settlement. A small compensation fee, and the case is closed. There's no concrete evidence, and honestly, taking this to court would be a pointless drain of tand money. It's just not worth the hassle, wouldn't you agree?" Processing the information, Eric fell into a contemplative silence.

His eyes flicked toward Hadley. Was this really how things had played out? Had sbiker actually harassed her, and she had only acted in self-defense? She wasn't deliberately stirring up trouble? Reconsidering the situation, it was only because he hadn't given her a ride that she ended up crossing path: with that thug...

Eric's expression darkened, his jaw tightening as he mulled it over. Turning to the officer, he made his decision. "Fine, we'll go ahead with the settlement-" "No!" Hadley abruptly shot up from her chair, her posture firm as she faced the officer directly.

"Officer, I don't know this man. He has no authority to speak for me. I refuse the settlement! I'm not paying a single cent!" "This is-" "Hadley!" Eric's patience snapped, his face paling with rage. "Enough of this! It's only five grand! Are you really going to turn this into a whole ordeal? Don't listen to her-I'll handle the paperwork!" "Understood, please cthis way-" "Eric!" Hadley's teeth clenched as she glared at him, fury burning in her eyes. "This isn't your decision to make! I said no settlement!" Eric's features twisted in frustration at her defiance. Was she seriously going to drag this out instead of taking the easy way out? His gaze swept over her pale face before his voice turned mocking. "Is that so? And what exactly do you plan to do about it? I'm handling this whether you like it or not!" 18.6% Q 19:12 ||| 0 < "Eric!" Chapter 15 His Lips Met Hers Hadley's frustration boiled over as she watched him override her decision. Her eyes stung with anger. Five thousand dollars wasn't just pocket change! Despite her protests, Eric ultimately made the payment, signed the necessary documents, and finalized the settlement.

"Alright, head over to collect your belongings, and you're free to go." Eric thanked the officer and his focus shifted back to Hadley. "Let's go. Get your things, and we're leaving," Without so much as a glance in his direction, Hadley stood and walked straight to the officer.

"Here's your bag." The officer handed it over. "Make sure nothing's missing" "Alright." She rummaged through it, checking each item-her phone, keychain, pepper spray, and... half a brick. "Everything's accounted for." Just behind her, Eric's gaze landed on the unexpected object. Pepper spray made sense, but a half brick? "You actually carry this around?" Eric picked up the brick, his eyes narrowing as he noticed the dried blood staining its surface.

Hadley remained silent, taking it from his grasp and attempting to tuck it back into her bag "Hold on." The officer raised a hand, stopping her. "Miss, that's considered a dangerous object. You can't ta it with you." Her brows lifted in surprise. "I can't?" "That's right." The officer gave a knowing smile. "It's not a knife or anything, but it's still a potential weapon. You wouldn't be able to get through subway security with that. Consider yourself lucky this tthat no major harm was done. Next time, you might not get off so easily." A hint of reluctance crossed her face before she let out a quiet sigh. “Understood." She tucked the rest of her belongings into her bag and zipped it shut. "Appreciate it, officer." "No problem." Without another word, she turned and strode out of the police station.

Her pace was brisk, her movements decisive.

"Hey! Hadley!" Eric's voice rang out as he hurried after her, struggling to keep pace. "Slow down! I'll drive you home!" "Don't touch me!" Hadley whirled around, eyes flashing with alarm as she shot him a sharp glare.

"Stay back!" 46.9% 19.12 O Chapter 15 His Lips Met Hers Eric halted instantly, lifting his hands in a gesture of surrender. "Alright, I won't touch you. I won't get any closer.

Just take a deep breath." This was unfamiliar territory-he had never seen Hadley this guarded, like a cornered animal prepared to fight back at any moment.

Without thinking, his tone softened, becoming careful and measured. "My car's parked just over there. It's late. Lettake you home, alright?" Hadley's rigid posture slowly eased.

Fatigue weighed heavily on her, and the thought of another unexpected encounter unter or worse, another trip to the police station-was too much to bear. "Fine." She nodded, gripping her bag tightly. “Let's go.” Eric exhaled, relieved that she didn't refuse, and guided her toward the car, holding open the passenger-side door.

Instead of getting in, Hadley bypassed it completely, heading for the back-seat, She pulled the door open and slipped inside without a word. Eric hesitated before shutting the passenger side door and circling around to the driver's seat.

As the car cruised through the quiet streets, his eyes flicked to the rearview mirror.

Hadley had curled herself into the corner, eyes shut tight, making it clear she wasn't in the mood for conversation.

A deep frown creased Eric's forehead.

This version of Hadley felt unfamiliar-so far removed from the girl he once knew.

Nearly thirty minutes later, they pulled into Silver Villas.

He eased the car to a stop and said, "We're home." Yet, the person in the back seat remained silent.

"Hadley..." Glancing back, he found her slumped against the seat, eyes shut and lips slightly parted. Had she fallen asleep? Without giving it much thought, he stepped out, opened the back door, and gently nudged her shoulder. "Wake up. We're arrived." She remained unresponsive.

"Hadley..." Eric parted his lips to call her nagain but paused. A second thought crossed his mind.

Tonight had been a disaster, and much of it was his fault. The least he could do was carry her inside.

He bent down, one arm sliding beneath her neck to support her shoulders while the other tucked under her knees.

71.8% 19:12 O < Chapter 15 His Lips Met Hers Just as he prepared to lift her, Hadley's eyelashes quivered, and her eyes snapped open.

Caught off guard, Eric tensed. His footing faltered, and before he could regain balance, he lurched forward. There was no tto react. His lips met hers-warm, soft, and completely unintentional. Recommended for your COND mmMwWLlilofiflo&1 mmMwWLlilofiflo&1 mmMwWLliI0fiflO&1 mmMwWLlilofiflo&1 mmMwWLliIofifl0&1 mmMwWLlilofiflo&1