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

Chapter 91 He Should Never Forget It

Linda picked up on the other end. “Eric?”

Her voice was light and playful. “To what do | owe the pleasure of this call during your busy schedule, Mr. Flynn?

How can | assist you today?”

“Linda.”

Eric hesitated, his mind briefly wandering to his brother, who was still in a coma at the hospital. He furrowed his

brow, grappling with discomfort, and then continued, “Going forward, please refrain from using my phone

without permission.”

“What?” Linda's tone shifted abruptly, her earlier smile freezing. “What are you implying? I'm not sure | follow.”

“Linda.”

Eric carefully chose his next words. “I have anthat retrieves deleted call logs.”

Linda paused, taken aback by the revelation.

The truth dawned on her.

Eric was aware that she had intercepted a call from the nightclub manager and then erased the trace. There was

no denying it any longer.

With resignation, Linda replied, “Alright, yes, | took a call for you. Is this really worth a confrontation?”

Eric sidestepped her question. “I'm simply asking for my privacy to be respected. Let's ensure this doesn’t

happen again.”

After saying his piece, Eric hung up.

It was unusual; Eric hadn't confronted Linda like this in years.

He shut his eyes and reclined in his seat.

Warmth spread from his back into the chair, merging with a slight pain, as a whirlwind of memories assaulted

him.

Beads of cold sweat soon formed on his forehead and temples.

On the other end, Linda was fuming.

She laughed bitterly after a prolonged silence, her grip tight on the phone.

“Unbelievable...”

0.0%

0g

[e]

14:21

[e]

<

Chapter 01 He Should Never Forget it

Follow on NovᴇlEnglish.nᴇt

How had Eric uncovered that? He had even retrieved the deleted call logs?

Was this issue really so significant that he felt the need to confront her directly?

Linda murmured softly, filled with derision, “Why?”

Wasn't it Eric who had originally wanted Hadley blacklisted?

And now he was holding her accountable just for taking a phone call for him? It was absurd.

Had Eric completely erased their shared history from his mind?

Had life been too easy for too long, making him believe he was untouchable now?

Or was it possible that Eric only appreciated his brother in the hospital, selectively forgetting how much he

owed to her as well?

“No, no...”

Linda gently shook her head.

Eric couldn't possibly forget, nor should he. These memories were supposed to be etched into his very essence,

a permanent part of who he was.

At West Twelfth Alley.

Hadley was on a video call with Joy, thanks to Mathias who had given Joy his phone to use.

“Mommy!”

Joy's cheerful voice burst through the screen, her enthusiasm infectious.

“Joy.”

Seeing her daughter on the screen, Hadley felt her heart soften completely.

She often reflected on how blessed she was to have Joy in her life.

Without her, the years of hardship and suffering might have made Hadley grow cold and distant.

Joy transformed all that.

A single glance at her daughter washed away any lingering bitterness or irritation.

Truly, children were miracles, little blessings in their purest form.

“Mommy, I've been really good. I've listened to Uncle Mathias, and I've been brave with my shots and medicine,

just like I should.”

“Is that so?” Hadley responded, her face breaking into a gentle smile. “That makes my baby girl truly

remarkable.”

Handling years of medical treatments was challenging for anyone, especially a child.

Luckily, Joy's surgery was approaching.

20.2%

[e]

[I

14:21

<

Chapter 3 Pre thanks meer onger

Once it was done, the sold be healthy sfully montirane, to user feequent actions the world be

just like hay pears.

Thinking over pay’s Bravery, sainy tid, “You yon pou Geskew something or densing unt buy you a gift. What

would you ver

She playfully added, “te can be something fa

Previously, Angeling work and school while garing by meer de won't muts won the bulge y expensive toys,

though every child aravally yesen for them.

The date for joy’s surgery was approaching rapidly

This was a significant milestone for a child of only theaw

Hadley had resolved stago to tease pay with a special gift

For months, she'd saved every possible penny, even limiting her diet to the seagles made of red and water.

Being young and healthy, Hadley could handle a bit of severey

Yet, Joy deserved a treat.

“Mommy,” said joy, filled with a mixture of hope and hesitation “Can | really done?”

“Absolutely,” Hadley responded, feeling a mix of pain and joy, maintaining a renowing stale “What is it feat you'd

like, sweetheart?

“Mommy,” Joy's voice brightened. “I want Minnish

Hadley immediately understood the reference

The toy in question was a limited edition Minnie Mouse doll, one that joy had fallen in love with back when

Hadley was still living in Blathe

Affording it had been beyond Hadley’s reach at the time.

The memory of Joy’s longing face had lingered with Hadley,

Even after relocating to Srixby, she continued to save up for the toy, which seemed always to be out of stock

online.

By chance, she had recently found a local store in Srixby would have sin stock.

Her plan was to purchase the doll and bring it with her to Blathe during her upcoming visit, right before Joy's

surgery.

Returning to Blathe was essential, especially now that she had saved enough money from her shifts at Galant to

afford a plane ticket.

Being absent for Joy's surgery was unthinkable, her presence was crucial to soothe Joy's inevitable anxiety.

A few days later.

After a long day of dance rehearsals with Blanche and shooting a dance scene for a film, Hadley returned to her

44.2%

Follow on Novᴇl-Onlinᴇ.cᴏm

1421

ork

[11]

[e]

<

Chapter 4 Ser

apartment late in the ever

She checked the time, esdeviating the seal Ada exeer to storing done rights ack

Close to eleven, Hadley made her way to very at

This was the largest mall in sixty and stayed open wel eyes. By the tHalley served, the security guards were

wiresty escorting the first customers out

However, Hadley’s purpose wasn’t shopping, she was there to secure a spot in line

Tomorrow morning, the shop would release the limited when Mientie Mouse doll that by cowed it was a first-

come, first-served deal with no option for pre-ordering

pucture joy Therefore, lining up overnight was essential to ensure she could pudhune the toy for pry

Hadley had scouted out the situation beforehand and knew exactly which entrance would open first. Feeling

justified in her early arrival, she was pleased to find only six people in front of her.

With twenty dolls available and her being seventh in line, her chances looked good.

Prepared like the rest, Hadley took out a camping chair from her bag, set it up, and took a stat

She had packed snacks, water, and a blanket to keep comfortable.

Settling down, she prepared for a long wait.

As it approached midnight, the temperature dropped, adding a chill to the wait

Hadley tightened her grip on her blanket, yet she could still feel the cold biting at her.

The silence was suddenly interrupted.

“Hadley?”

Lifting her head, her mood immediately soured. Of all the people she could encounter, it had to be him. Srixby

felt smaller by the second.

Ever since their last unpleasant encounter, she had made sure to block his number.

Hadley deliberately averted her eyes, choosing to ignore his presence.

“Hadley.” The man scrutinized her, his expression turning to one of concern. “What are you doing out here so

late? Shouldn't you be at home?”

The memory of her desperate request for financial help flashed through his mind, making him piece things

together. “You're not in financial trouble again, are you? The money | failed to give you last time? | have the card

withall this time...”

As he spoke, he began to pull out his wallet.

14:21