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

Chapter 90 Life Had Taught Her A Valuable Lesson

Hadley clasped her hand over her mouth, shock widening her eyes at what she had just heard

“What now?”

Blanche gave a light laugh. “You can’t even muster a thank you?”

“Huh?” Hadley quickly recovered from her shock, her face turning a bright shade of red “Thank you. Ms.

Nicolson! Thank you so much!”

“Indeed.” Blanche observed her for another moment, and then offered a smile. “You have a wonderful figure,

however...”

She gestured towards Hadley’s waist. “This area is flexible, but it could be firmer. Be mindful of your diet and

avoid excess.”

“Yes!” Hadley responded with enthusiasm, her eyes glistening with emotion, yet she managed a smile.

“Understood.”

Blanche then shifted her focus to Eric.

Initially, Blanche had been reluctant when her friend asked her for this favor, which had even incurred some

reservations about Eric.

Yet, upon meeting Hadley, she was glad they set up this audition and even started to find Eric unexpectedly

agreeable.

“Mr. Flynn, I'll mentor her.”

“Thank you, Ms. Nicolson.” Eric's expression transformed into a warm smile, a sight seldom seen. “Hadley is now

under your guidance, and for that, | am deeply appreciative. Should she step out of line, | hope you'll be lenient

with her.”

Blanche lifted an eyebrow in intrigue. The dynamics between Hadley and Eric were clearly not typical

It made sense now how Hadley had managed to engage someone of Eric's stature.

Blanche then pondered why Hadley had previously struggled so much in Blathe, especially with such influential

backing.

Yet, she chose to keep her musings to herself, responding with a nod and a pleasant smile. “Great.”

Exiting the dance studio, Hadley remained quiet the entire journey.

0.0%

1421

+o

[I

[e]

X+

X+

<

Chapter 90 Life Had Taught Her A Valuable Lesson

Follow on NovᴇlEnglish.nᴇt

Eric looked over at her. At this moment, Hadley seemed to surprisingly docile, resembling a turtle retreating

into its shell

She displayed no resistance, only subdued agreement.

“Why the silence?” Eric teased playfully. “You were quite upset earlier on our way here.”

Hadley continued to keep her gaze down, offering no response.

“Is something bothering you?”

Eric sensed her distress and extended his hand toward her.

“Please don’t...”

Hadley averted her face, clearly uncomfortable with his approach.

Respecting her space, Eric held back, noting the tremor in her voice that hinted at tears.

He hesitated, and then asked softly, “Is everything alright? Are you crying?”

Without a word, Hadley turned away from him, her slight frvisibly shaking.

“Are tears actually falling?” Eric asked, concern growing.

He moved closer and gently placed his hands on her shoulders, trying to turn her to face him. “Letlook at

Velen”

“What for?”

Hadley whipped around, her eyes red and teary as she met his gaze.

“Why do you have to see? Do you find this interesting? Isn’t it common to see someone cry?”

Her defiance was evident as she lifted her chin. “Well, if you're so fascinated, go ahead and stare!”

Eric recoiled from her sharp reaction and quickly withdrew his hands. “I didn’t mean it like that,” he murmured,

his words tumbling out hastily. “I didn’t mean to offend. | was just concerned about you...”

“Concerned?” Hadley’s expression was a mix of tearfulness and a wry smile. “You're odd! Why would you

arrange this for me?”

“What?” Taken aback, Eric hesitated. “Is it not what you wanted? You don’t want to work with Ms. Nicolson?”

Hadley looked at him, tears continuing to trace her cheeks, yet she said nothing.

Eric’s confidence wavered.

“You truly don't like it?”

Her tears seemed to answer loudly.

“I didn’t realize it upset you so deeply...” Hastily, he added, “I'll speak with Ms. Nicolson immediately. You don’t

have to go through with this...”

With that, he turned to leave.

22.4%

*

14:21

<

“Eric!”

Chapter 90 Life Had Taught Her A Valuable Lesson

Hadley’s voice halted him, sharp and clear.

“Yes?” He looked back at her, his face a mask of confusion. What was she trying to say? What did she need from

him?

Hadley’s mouth quivered as she wrestled with her feelings.

She fully recognized that training under Blanche could set her on a path to a bright future.

For any dancer, the honor of gracing a prestigious stage far surpassed the fleeting lights of nightclub

performances.

Hadley had no influential contacts; without Eric's assistance, a position in Blanche’s troupe would have

remained out of reach.

This was an important opportunity for her career, one too valuable to ignore.

Yet, it was Eric who had presented her with this chance.

Why now?

The very man who had seemed to ignore her for so long was now handing her a lifeline.

She knew she should feel thankful. But then, there were the past four years to consider. What should she do

now?

With a deep breath, Hadley clenched her hands. “Thank you.”

“There's no need,” Eric said, his smile slight. “Don’t mention it.”

Ph

After days of effort, he had finally obtain a kind remark from her.

“But,” Hadley quickly added, “appreciating your help doesn’t mean | agree to everything. | stand by what I said.

We're finished.”

Eric felt the impact of her words as if doused with cold water. “Why?”

“Do you truly not understand?” Hadley’s gaze fell, illuminated softly by the glow of a nearby streetlight.

Suddenly, Eric felt a tightness in his chest.

“Are you still upset about the past four years?”

“Why shouldn't | be?” Hadley retorted sharply.

“Four years ago...” Eric's expression darkened as be began, his forehead creasing. “Ernest was in a coma, and

the doctors almost guaranteed he wouldn't wake up. And Linda, she was expecting his child!”

For Eric, Ernest was more than family; he had been a mentor and a major influence in his life. Without Ernest,

Eric's current successes would have been unimaginable.

Eric felt that the world could challenge him as much as it pleased, but Ernest should have remained unscathed.

Secretly, he would have rather been the one suffering in Ernest's stead all those years...

Hadley understood his sentiment, yet she was baffled by his lack of trust in her.

Follow on Novᴇl-Onlinᴇ.cᴏm

48.8%

14:21

[I

[e]

<

Chapter 90 Life Had Taught Her A Valuable Lesson

She blurted out, “Why couldn't you just- Why couldn’t he put hear her out? Why did be just acorp tinda’s

version of the story without question?

However, she swallowed her words before they escaped.

“Why couldn't | what?” Eric asked. “What were you going to say?

Hadley shook her head, feeling defeated. What was the point?

He never believed her four years ago. There was no reason to think he would believe her now

Moreover, the circumstances back then did her no favors. Linda had been found bleeding at the bottom of the

stairs, while Hadley was at the top. Anyone had eyes would assthat the pushed Linda

So, she took a step back.

“Do you remember askinghow | found out about your involvement ingetting rejected at every job

interview?” she asked instead.

Eric raised an eyebrow. “Who told you? One of the club managers?”

“No”

Hadley’s lips tightened. “It was Linda. She was the one who told me.”

What?

Eric paused, stunned. Linda knew? But how?

“Let's go,” Hadley said finally.

She had said her piece. Now, it was up to Eric to respond.

She was no longer the rash, fiery young woman she once was. Life had taught her a valuable lesson: even when

justified, making a scene often cast her in a negative light.

After the audition, Eric drove Hadley to her apartment.

Alone in his car afterwards, he mulled over their conversation from earlier.

He reviewed his call log on his phone, finding nothing out of the ordinary.

Switching to a different app, he accessed his archived and deleted call history.

His face grew stern as he browsed through the new records.

With a clenched jaw, Eric found Linda’s number and hit the call button.

100.0%

[I