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

Chapter 220 What Could Be More Important Than Ou...

A date?

Hadley was surprised by the seriousness in his voice. “Is there a reason for this?”

Eric’s smile held a hint of secrecy as he evaded her question. “You'll see.”

All this secrecy?

Hadley thought for a moment, and then dismissed her own birthday, which had already passed, and his, which

was still ahead. After carrying feelings for him for so many years, she remembered his birthday clearly.

Could it be an anniversary?

Yet, what anniversary could there possibly be for them, given they were now separated?

Baffled, she resolved to find out directly from him when the occasion arose.

On Saturday morning.

After dropping Hadley at the dance studio, Eric reminded her, “Remember our date tonight. I'll be there to pick

you up.”

“Got it,” Hadley responded, fighting the impulse to roll her eyes. How often would he repeat himself?

Yet, with each reminder, her curiosity deepened. What was so critical about this day?

Later that afternoon.

As Hadley was getting dressed, her phone buzzed.

It was Melba, sounding panicked. “Hadley! Are you free to leave right now? It’s urgent-Joy is really sick!”

What?

A wave of concern washed over Hadley. “What's happened to Joy? Where are you now?”

“She’s been suffering from vomiting and diarrhea...”

Tears clouded Hadley’s eyes momentarily. “I'm calling an ambulance. We'll meet at the hospital, okay?”

“Alright!”

After hanging up, Hadley quickly finished changing and dashed to the hospital.

Arriving directly from the dance studio, she reached the emergency center before the ambulance, anxiously

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Chapter 220 What Could Be More Important Than Our TTogether

awaiting its arrival.

As the ambulance pulled up, Melba emerged, cradling Joy in her embrace.

“Joy!”

Hadley approached quickly and gently received Joy from Melba.

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She hid her worry, keeping a calm demeanor for Joy’s sake.

Children often reflect their parents’ emotions, and a mother’s fear could easily make a child uneasy.

“Mommy.” Joy nestled closer within her mother’s arms, her eyes glistening with tears. “I feel sick.”

“It’s okay, baby. Mommy's here.” Hadley softly caressed her daughter's moist cheek. “Hang in there, love. The

doctor will make you feel better soon.”

“Okay.” Joy's sniffles were muffled as she clung tighter to her mother.

“Just let the doctor check you, okay, Joy?”

The doctor, after a thorough check-up, diagnosed Joy with acute gastroenteritis. Considering Joy's other health

concerns, they opted to keep her in the hospital for close monitoring.

With the hospitalization process underway, Hadley reached out to Colden.

As Joy's regular physician, he was deeply familiar with her medical history.

Colden was off duty that evening, yet he arrived promptly after receiving Hadley’s urgent call.

After checking on Joy, he confirmed the initial diagnosis. “She has acute gastroenteritis. With her delicate

condition, staying in the hospital is the best course.”

“Thank you, Dr. Torres.” A wave of relief washed over Hadley, and she expressed her gratitude, “I'm sorry for the

trouble.”

With a reassuring smile, Colden responded, “Not a problem. You did the right thing. Always callright away if

it’s about Joy.”

He paused and then continued, “She’s stable for now. Continue with her usual treatments and check-ups. Don’t

hesitate to call if you need anything.”

“Thanks so much.”

After bidding Colden goodbye, Hadley settled in beside Joy.

Joy, still teary-eyed and voice raspy, looked up at her mother. “Mommy, are you going to leave?”

Her bravery was evident as she added softly, “Mommy, it's okay. | can stay by myself here.”

Hadley’s heart clenched at those words, and a wave of sorrow welled up inside her.

Wiping away her tears, she embraced Joy tightly. “Mommy’s here to stay. | won't go anywhere, okay?”

“Really?” Hope lit up Joy's teary face. “Really, Mommy?”

Yet, she hesitated, her small voice filled with concern. “But Mommy, won't you have other things to take care

of?”

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“Not at all.” Cradling her daughter closely, Hadley reassured her in a gentle tone, “There’s nothing more

important than this moment with you.”

“Hehe. Alright!”

Joy's spirits finally lifted, and she nestled comfortably against her mother.

In the meantime, Eric was persistently trying to reach Hadley by phone!

He reached the dance stuat six, just as they had planned, only to find her phone off and no replies to his

messages.

What could have happened?

Eric's forehead creased in confusion.

At that moment, he noticed Elissa exiting the building.

“Elissa!” he called out, stopping her in her tracks. “Excuse me, have you seen Hadley?”

“Hadley?” Elissa appeared taken aback. “Oh, she left almost an hour ago.”

She already left?

A shadow fell over Eric’s face. “Do you know where she might have gone?”

“No idea. She didn’t mention anything.” Elissa responded, shaking her head.

“Thank you.”

“You're welcome.”

As Elissa left, Eric's concern deepened. Hadley had left already? But to where?

Was there an emergency? Her phone seemed to be off.

If something urgent had cup, surely she would have informed him.

He glanced at his watch, his expression gloomy... Did she perhaps forget about their date tonight?

Worry clouding his expression, Eric tried calling Hadley’s number once more.

As expected, he got no response.

Trying to keep his cool, he texted her again. “Where are you? Is everything okay? Do you needto cand

get you?”

Still, no reply came.

As night fell, Eric remained in his car, checking his phone repeatedly for any sign of a call or message.

He was so frustrated that he instinctively reached for a cigarette.

Instead, his hand found a box of candies-Hadley had convinced him to quit smoking.

With a sigh of irritation, he unwrapped a candy and put it in his mouth, instantly regretting it as the sweetness

overwhelmed him.

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Chapter 220 What Could Be More Important Than Our TTogether

So, what could have possibly taken Hadley away tonight?

Here he was, enduring these candies for her sake, yet she was nowhere to be seen.

As minutes turned to hours, Eric's frustration gradually shifted to concern.

Recalling a past incident where Hadley had a scary encounter with a cab driver and another where she was

kidnapped, he couldn't help but fear the worst.

He dialed her number over and over, growing more anxious with each attempt.

Still, her phone remained unanswered.

“Hadley! Please pick up the phone!”

Concern etched deep into Eric’s expression. If he didn’t hear from her soon, contacting the police seemed

inevitable.

At the hospital.

Joy was now sound asleep, having taken her medication.

Melba whispered, “You look worn out. You haven't eaten anything yet since you got here. I'll stay with Joy; you

should grab sfood.”

“Okay.”

Hadley agreed and grabbed her bag from the bedside table. As she checked her phone, shock overtook her-97

missed calls and more than 99 unread messages!

All were from Eric!

Oh no!

She gasped in horror, suddenly recalling their planned date for tonight.

“Melba, can you look after Joy for a bit? | need to handle something urgent!”

“Sure, go on.”

Hadley hurried out and dialed Eric's number.

He picked up instantly, his voice a mix of annoyance and worry. “Hadley? Is that you? Where have you been?

Everything alright?”

Caught off guard by his evident concern, Hadley paused and replied, “Yes, I'm fine.”

Relief washed over Eric upon hearing her voice, easing the stress that had built up.

But soon, his feelings shifted to disappointment and frustration.

“Why weren't you here? Was there something-or someone-more important than our date?”

What could be more important than our ttogether...?

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