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

Chapter 208 Bitterly Cold

Throughout the night, Hadley was caught in a cycle of fitful dreams, eventually waking with her eyes puffy and

her head throbbing.

When she finally managed to pry her eyes open, she was greeted by the sight of her daughter peacefully asleep

in her embrace.

“Sweetheart,” she whispered, as she kissed Joy's forehead tenderly. At that moment, her phone vibrated, pulling

her attention to a new message from Eric.

“Good morning, darling I've headed to the office. I'll be there to pick you up after your performance tonight.”

With a dismissive roll of her eyes, Hadley turned the phone’s screen off, choosing not to respond.

Arriving early at the dance studio, Hadley was warmly welcomed with a vigorous hug from Elissa. “Hadley!”

“Elissal” responded Hadley, her voice filled with joy as she hugged her back. “It’s great to see you're doing well!”

Elissa, beaming, replied, “Yes, I'm feeling much better! But there's something you should know...” She quickly

changed the subject. “We won't be performing from this weekend on.”

Shocked, Hadley responded, “What? How come? Who told you?”

She had been worrying about the upcoming performances.

“Didn’t you check the bulletin board when you cin?” Ms. Nicolson’s call.”

Elissa questioned, a playful smirk on her face. “It was

Blanche, the troupe leader, had made the tough decision to halt the performances in the wake of the Blathe

debacle, which had taken a toll on the group.

The troupe, already under great strain, saw its spirits plummet.

After much deliberation, the leadership agreed to a pause in performances, giving everyone a much-needed

break.

Ding!

Ding!

As Hadley LTE

screens

Elissa’s phones vibrated simultaneously, a notification from their workgroup flashed across their

Peering at the message, they read about the halted performances and the new tasks assigned.

Despite the break in performances, the message made it clear their responsibilities remained.

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Chapter 209 Bitterly Cold

Hadley scrutinized her new duties. She would manage the practice sessions for the younger trainees.

These trainees weren't full-tmembers of the troupe, so her supervision would be brief each day

This lighter schedule was a welcrespite from her usual demands.

Elissa glanced at the plan and laughed. “You've earned this break. Enjoy the downtime, you've been pushing

yourself too hard lately.”

“Absolutely,” Hadley replied, smiling as she made her way to the trainees’ class.

By noon, a member of the security team approached her. “Hadley, there's someone here to meet you.”

“Thanks so much!” Hadley replied, her curiosity piqued as she exited the practice room. Surely, it couldn't be

Eric at this hour.

Approaching the lobby, her eyes landed on a figure standing near the bulletin board.

Her heart dropped, and a quiet scoff escaped her lips before she turned to leave.

“Hadley!

To her astonishment, the figure spotted her just as she was turning away and quickly caught up, grasping her

arm. “Hadley! Why are you walking away?”

“Let go!” Hadley demanded, pulling away sharply as she scanned the area, her tone firm. “Why are you here?”

“Hadley...”

The man, Cade Jenkins, offered a strained smile as he gestured toward the poster on the bulletin board, featuring

Hadley captured in a dance leap.

“You've really excelled. | bet your mom and grandma are looking down on you in heaven with pride.”

“Stop talking!” Hadley exclaimed, her eyes beginning to tear up. “How dare you even bring them up? Don’t you

think they’d haunt you for it?”

“Really? Cade chuckled sadly. “I wish they would visit me. It’s been ages, and not once has your mom appeared

to me.”

“What?”

Hadley was stunned, unable to comprehend his words.

She then lowered her voice. “What do you want? Get to the point and then leave.”

“Hadley.” Cade looked around cautiously. “We shouldn't discuss this here. Could we perhaps find a more

secluded spot?”

Hadley weighed her options.

She was at work, and airing personal grievances here could lead to unwanted among her colleagues.

“Okay, fine.”

Frucellent.”

Cade responded, visibly relieved. “Let's go.”

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Chapter 208 Bitterly Cold

He guided her to a cafe close by.

“What would you like to drink?”

“I don’t want anything” Hadley dismissed the offer and fixed her gaze on him, asking, “We didn’t chere to

relax and catch up, did we? Just spit it out.”

“Okay then.

Cade nervously took a few sips from his glass of lemon water.

“So, here's the thing...” He pushed his glasses up his nose and asked, “Do you recall our old place on Maple

Street?”

Hmm?

Hadley gave a slight frown, processing the question. The house on Maple Street? Of course, she remembered

The Maple Street house was her very first home, despite her memories of it dim and distant

“What's the reason for bringing that up?”

“Here’s why...

Pausing to sip his water again, Cade’s eyes appeared watery.

“It’s your brother...”

*Stop spouting nonsense!” Hadley cut in sharply, her expression one of disbelief. “I was an only child. There's no

brother in my family.”

“Actually,” Cade said with an awkward grin. “I meant Brady. It's Brady who's in trouble.”

He paused, covering his eyes with a hand, his voice breaking.

Hadley’s reaction was a mix of shock and confusion. Brady in trouble? What was that supposed to mean?

She got both anxious and annoyed, and then asked him, “What are you trying to say? Am | supposed to just sit

here and watch you cry?”

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“That's not what I...”

Cade dabbed at his eyes and adjusted his glasses.

“Brady was in an accident recently. He's suffered serious liver damage, and his condition is critical”

Hadley’s lips twisted into a sardonic smile.

“Brady is dying? Well, Cade, it looks like your past is catching up with you.”

Cade tensed, his eyes reddening instantly.

In a hurry, he said, “Hadley, you may despise me, but Brady has done nothing wrong. It’s unfair to hold him

accountable...”

“Huh?”

With a scornful laugh, Hadley responded, “He’s innocent? Well, whatever. His fate is none of my concern

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anyway.”

Noticing the conversation turning tense, Cade quickly said, “Listen, the doctors said Brady urgently needs at

liver transplant. With a timely surgery, he could recover.”

The news visibly shook Hadley, her body quivering as she looked at Cade with astonishment.

She said, “You're not suggesting | donate my liver to him, are you?”

“Hadley!” Cade exclaimed, grabbing her arm as if to prevent her from leaving

“Your blood type matches Brady's, and as his sister, you're the best match for a donor!”

As Cade spoke, a cold dread spread from Hadley’s heart, sending shivers through her body. Why was it so bitterly

cold?

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