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

Chapter 121 Hadley, | Am Quite Joyful Right Now

Eric observed Hadley’s demeanor and tentatively reached to grasp her hand.

Yet again, Hadley pulled away from his touch.

“Really, Hadley?” Eric's frustration was evident. “Do you believe | chere to harm you?”

“No, not at all...”

Gently shaking her head, Hadley raised her bandaged hand to reassure Eric of her condition.

At the moment Eric looked away, Hadley had swiftly wrapped her wounded hand in a handkerchief and regained

her composure.

She then faced Eric, whose expression was tinged with concern. “It looks worse than it really is. Thanks for

helpingtonight.”

Her voice retained a composed yet distant quality.

Eric, faced with her continual avoidance, didn’t react with increased anger this time.

A sense of helplessness washed over him, yet he stood his ground, determined not to leave.

“Don’t talk like that. I'm involved now, and | can’t just leave you here by yourself...”

He broke off, his gaze shifting to her.

“Where's Denver? Shouldn't your boyfriend be here at a tlike this?”

Hadley stayed quiet.

Calling Denver wasn’t an option since he wasn’t really her boyfriend.

Eric demanded action, tilting his head. “Call Denver now. Get him over here.”

Net.

A sense of unease washed over Hadley.

She was reluctant to disturb Denver, yet Eric insisted. “Make it quick!”

He then laid out her options sharply. “You can either leave withright now, or call Denver to cpick you

up.”

Faced with those choices, Hadley obviously leaned towards contacting Denver.

“Fine.”

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Chapter 121 Hadley, | Am Quite Joyful Right Now

With Eric’s intense stare bearing down on her, Hadley pulled her phone from her purse and dialed Denver's

number.

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Denver picked up almost immediately, his voice filled with excitement. “Hadley? It’s great to hear from you.”

Denver's happiness was evident even over the phone.

Feeling a twinge of guilt, Hadley asked, “Denver, where are you right now? Can you cand get me?”

“Absolutely!” Denver responded instantly. “Just tellwhere you are, and I'll be right there.”

“I'm at the entrance of Poseidon’s Realm.”

“Got it.” Denver assured her. “Stay there. I'm coming to you.”

“Alright.”

Worried that Eric might pick up on her formal tone, Hadley refrained from thanking Denver overly-couples

usually skip such formalities.

After ending the call, Hadley turned to Eric. “Denver is on his way.”

“Fine.”

Eric simply nodded, and then pulled out a cigarette, lighting it and inhaling deeply as he waited.

Hadley was taken aback, expecting Eric to leave already.

Noticing her look, Eric let out a cloud of smoke.

“I'll leave once Denver gets here.”

Hadley was taken aback by his words.

Was it possible for the typically haughty Eric to show such consideration?

Shortly thereafter, Denver showed up much sooner than anticipated.

“Hadley!”

Denver quickly made his way to her.

“You're here already?” Hadley expressed her surprise. “I just ended the call.”

“I was already at Poseidon’s Realm,” Denver explained.

He had been having a meal with clients but had hurried over immediately after her call, even though he had to

hastily excuse himself.

“Sorry for pulling you away from your meeting,” Hadley murmured.

“Don’t worry about it. Work can wait.” Denver reassured her.

Meanwhile, Eric, standing a short distance away, showed signs of impatience. “Let's keep things moving. We've

got important matters to handle.”

“Eric.”

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Chapter 121 Hadley, | Am Quite Joyful Right How

Denver had noticed Eric earlier but hadn't had the opportunity to greet him. He was now crossboot thes

presence with Hadley.

Was Eric still harboring feelings for her?

“Listen.” With his cigarette still in hand, Eric gestured towards Hadley’s right hand. She’s injured. You need to get

her to a hospital immediately.”

“What?” Denver reacted with surprise.

Upon noticing her bandaged hand, he cursed softly under his breath, frustrated with himself. I should have

stayed closer to you!”

He was upset that he hadn't noticed her injury sooner.

“Please, don’t worry about it.”

Hadley swiftly caught hold of Denver's arm, urging him not to blhimself.

“Show me.”

Denver reached out gently, pausing before touching her. “Hadley, tellwhere it hurts. What exactly

happened? Is it serious?”

“Look here...”

Lifting her bandaged hand, Hadley tried to reassure him. “It’s just a cut from sglass. It isn’t too serious.”

Denver examined the bandage, concern etching his face. “It looks pretty serious to me. You're bleeding quite a

bit

At that moment, Denver accidentally touched the wound, causing Hadley to wince.

Upon seeing her reaction, Denver's complexion turned ashen. “This looks serious. We should head to the hospital

immediately!”

He carefully supported her arm, reassuring her. “Take it easy. I've got you.”

Denver then glanced back at Eric. “Eric, thank you for your help, but we need to leave...”

“I understand.” Eric interrupted him with a dismissive gesture. “Get going fast.”

Ensuring Hadley’s safety was their top concern.

“Okay, we're off now. Hadley, let's go.”

Throughout the interaction, Hadley didn’t glance back at Eric, not even as they departed.

Eric watched them leave and chuckled at his own situation.

Despite Hadley’s refusal to let Eric assist or even cclose, she depended comfortably on Denver.

Just then, Eric coughed as he inhaled smoke awkwardly.

Eric suddenly choked, his eyes watering from the intensity of the smoke.

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At that moment, he felt as if everything was falling apart.

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Later, in the hospital, the doctor examined Hadley’s hand and confirmed that the injury was minor. They had

successfully removed all small pieces of glass.

After applying a new bandage, the doctor prescribed smedication for Hadley to follow and then discharged

them.

On their ride home, Denver seized the opportunity to learn more about the incident. “Can you tellwhat

happened tonight? How did you injure your hand?”

Cradling her bandaged hand, Hadley chose not to disclose the harassment she had faced.

Instead, she explained, “I was having dinner with the film crew when a glass broke. | cut myself picking up the

pieces.”

She framed the incident as a simple accident.

Denver, looking for more answers, and then inquired, “How did you bump into Eric?”

Hadley hesitated.

“I really don’t know, Denver,” she continued. “I bumped into him just as | was stepping out. Maybe he was there

for dinner, just like you.”

Given that Poseidon’s Realm was a popular spot for business, her explanation wasn’t out of the ordinary.

“Yeah, that sounds right.” Denver acknowledged, his worries eased, believing that Eric's presence was just

coincidental and not an attempt to reconnect with Hadley.

Relieved, Denver walked Hadley to her apartment door. “Hadley.”

She stopped, uncertain whether Denver meant to cinside.

With a gentle smile and averted eyes, Denver expressed his concern. “Hadley, | hate that you were injured,

however...”

A sincere warmth emanated from his gaze.

“I'm actually feeling quite joyful right now.”

Hadley, taken aback, wondered about the reason for his happiness.

Denver met her gaze, reflecting her image in his eyes. “It’s because when you saw Eric, you didn’t go with him.

You calledinstead. Knowing that fillswith joy, Hadley. | can’t tell you how much that means to me.”

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Too late, babonare You Can

Chapter 12