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

Chapter 153 Why

Shouldn't He Just Take.....

Hadley was completely thrown off.

What was Eric doing here?

And why did he sound like that-like he had every right to be standing in front of her, scolding her? What was with

that entitled attitude?

She had met plenty of wealthy heirs-Ernest wasn’t like this. Neither was Denver.

A faint, incredulous laugh slipped past her lips. Was his bad temper reserved just for her?

Still, whatever his attitude, one fact remained-he had saved her. She couldn't ignore that.

Steadying herself, she attempted to break free from his grip. “Listen... thank you for earlier. I-”

“What do you think you're doing?”

Eric’s hand tightened around her waist, anchoring her in place, his lips curling into a faintly mocking smirk.

“Are you seriously trying to pushaway? Can you even stand on your own right now?”

Hadley faltered, her breath catching.

Probably not.

“Why are you looking atlike that?” he asked. “It’s not like I'm the one who slipped you something.” Hadley

froze, her body rigid.

He heard everything? He knew what Wilma had done to her?

When did he even show up?

“Enough of this.”

Before Hadley could gather her thoughts, Eric let out a sigh and effortlessly scooped her up into his arms. “I've

already started dealing with this mess, so | might as well see it through. Where's your room?”

Was he seriously this considerate?

She wanted to doubt him, but she was too weak to resist. Reluctantly, she mumbled her room number.

“Sorry to trouble you,” she whispered.

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Eric didn’t even hesitate. “As long as you realize it’s trouble.”

He set her down at the door, reached into her pocket, and pulled out the key card. The door clicked open, and

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just as she thought she might finally regain sautonomy, he scooped her up again and carried her inside

like it was standard procedure.

She barely had tto process it before he crossed the room in a few long strides and lowered her onto the bed.

He even adjusted her hair so it wouldn't bother her, smoothing the strands with a quiet patience.

Then, he pulled the blanket over her, tucking it in just enough to keep her comfortable.

But he didn’t leave after all that. Instead, he remained by the bedside, arms crossed, his sharp eyes locked onto

her face, studying every flicker of emotion.

He frowned. “How are you feeling?”

Hadley tried to focus, to assess her body's state. “I... | have no strength.”

Eric's gaze narrowed. “That's all?”

Hadley blinked. “Yes... | think?”

What? What else was she supposed to feel?

“Oh.”

Eric exhaled, his tension easing just slightly. So Wilma had only used something mild-enough to weaken Hadley,

enough to leave her vulnerable, but not the kind of drug that sent people into oblivion.

Still.

If he hadn't turned back... Would Hadley have been able to fight that bastard off?

Wilma. That woman was supposed to be refined and respectful-yet she was willing to endanger someone's life

just to clear the path for her son.

Disgust curled in Eric’s chest. His expression darkened, his eyes sharp with something lethal.

Hadley noticed and she stiffened slightly, a sudden unease creeping over her.

Hadley’s voice was soft, hesitant. “Shouldn’t you be leaving?”

Eric shot her a sharp glance, still visibly irritated. “And go where exactly? | don’t even want to imagine what will

happen to you in this state if | leave!”

If Wilma had been bold enough to try once, who was to say she wouldn't try again?

Hadley sighed inwardly. She was starting to get used to his unpredictable bursts of frustration. Fine. It was better

to let him do as he pleased.

A heavy silence settled between them.

Eric exhaled slowly, realizing his tone had been harsher than intended.

“Ahem.”

Clearing his throat, he shifted slightly, his voice begrudgingly softer. “Well... you said you're too weak to move,

right? What if you need water? Or-” He paused, looking momentarily uncomfortable. “What if you need to use

the bathroom?”

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Before Hadley could react, he dragged a chair to the bedside and sat down, arms crossed. “I'll stay until you're

better. Then I'll leave.”

Hadley blinked.

He could help with water, sure. But the bathroom?

She almost pointed it out, but the moment she opened her mouth-

“Shut up!” Eric didn’t even look at her, waving off whatever she was about to say. “I don’t need your thanks. Just

sleep.”

He stretched out, propping his legs against the edge of the bed, and then leaned back in the chair, shutting his

eyes as if he intended to rest right there.

Now that the room was quiet, Hadley finally had a chance to take a good look at him.

What had happened to him?

Where had he cfrom?

tak

She had noticed it earlier-beneath the dim lighting, a bandage wrapped around Eric's head, barely concealed by

his hair.

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Was he injured?

Had he hit his head? Were there other wounds hidden beneath his

othes?

And what was he doing in Blathe? How had he even gotten hurt? Had he been at the theater yesterday?

But... Eric wasn’t the type to enjoy modern dance.

Before she could make sense of it all-

Ding-dong! The doorbell rang.

his

Eric's eyes snapped open. In one swift motion, he retracted his legs from the bed’s edge and stood up, heading

for the door.

“Who is it?”

Instead of opening it immediately, he peered through the peephole.

His scalp tingled. Wilma. And Denver.

His mind sharpened in an instant, piecing it together.

That woman...

First, she had Hadley drugged and sent a thug to corner her. Now, she had dragged Denver here-probably

hoping to stage the perfect misunderstanding.

Ha!

A ruthless move from a ruthless socialite. She didn’t seem to even hesitate to drive a knife straight into her own

son's heart.

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Chapter 153 Why Shouldn't He Just Take What He Wanted

And if he wanted her this much-if he was willing to risk his very life for her-then why shouldn't he just take

what he wanted?

Eric straightened, his fingers moving to his collar. Slowly, methodically, he began unbuttoning his shirt.