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

Chapter 180 Maybe A Friend Took Her In

Eric’s brow furrowed, his jaw tight as he stood in silence for a moment.

“I'm simply saying that this cannot happen again.” Turning sharply on his heel, he shouted, “Phillips, let's go.”

“Y-Yes!”

Phillips didn’t dare hesitate, falling into step behind him without another word.

Linda remained rooted to the spot, expression blank, complexion pale.

What was happening? Ernest had changed. And now, Eric too. Ever since Hadley returned... everything started to

beca mess.

The moment Eric stepped outside, his gaze darkened-that silver-gray car was still there. Phillips cleared his

throat. “Mr. Moran has been following us. He hasn't left, not even once.”

Like a ghost that refused to fade.

Eric's jaw clenched. He didn’t have the tor the patience to deal with this right now.

Without another thought, he ducked into the car, and as they pulled away, the silver-gray vehicle followed once

again.

By the tthey reached Flynn Group, a mountain of work awaited Eric.

He forced himself to focus, burying his exhaustion beneath a relentless stream of documents, reports, and

decisions.

Most of the work was finally done by evening, but as for the usual business socializing? He didn’t have the

energy for it. Didn't have the patience, either.

Descending to the garage, Eric slipped into the car, his movements stiff with fatigue. As they pulled onto the

road, he exhaled sharply, his voice breaking the heavy silence.

“Still no news?”

Phillips hesitated. Just for a moment. Then-a quiet, weighted answer. “No.”

With a deep sigh, Eric shut his eyes, leaned back, and yanked the knot loose. Of course. He hadn't expected

anything else.

If there had been any updates, Phillips would have said something by now.

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< Chapter 180 Maybe A Friend Took Her In

Still, he hesitated for a moment before mustering the courage to speak. “Mr. Flynn, maybe no news is good

news,” he said, carefully choosing his words. “Hadley might have friends we don’t know about-someone who's

taken her in...”

Before he could finish, the car jerked to a sudden stop.

Phillips whipped around, his brows furrowing. “Sebastian! You've been driving for years-what the hell was that?”

Sebastian let out a sheepish chuckle. “Just an accident. Sorry.”

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He gestured ahead. “Look-swoman just walked straight into the road. How was | supposed to predict that?”

Phillips glanced forward.

Sure enough, a young woman crouched on the icy pavement, gathering scattered belongings from the slick road.

Phillips squinted, his memory clicking into place. “Mr. Flynn, isn’t she from Hadley’s dance troupe? | think her

name's Elissa or something.”

Eric remained stone-faced. Even if it was indeed Elissa-what did it matter to him?

Seeing no reaction, Phillips sighed before pushing the door open. “I'll go help her.”

Stepping out into the cold, Phillips bent down, scooping up the last of her things.

“Miss Holland?” He extended the item toward her. “The roads are dangerous in this weather-be careful.”

Elissa’s lips curled into a small, grateful smile.

“Thank you for your kindness!”

“Your bag is ripped.” His tone turned lighter. “Are you heading home? We can give you a ride.”

A flicker of hesitation crossed her face before she quickly shook her head. “That won't be necessary! | can walk

from here. Besides, | don’t want to trouble you.”

Phillips didn’t push. Instead, he bent down, picking up a small box from the ground and handing it back to Elissa.

“Miss Holland, are you alright? This medicine... are you running a fever?”

“Uh, yeah. I'm a little under the weather,” she said lightly.

Then, with a forced smile, she quickly grabbed the box and shoved it into her already torn bag. “But I'll be fine.

Thanks for this-I should get going.”

Without waiting for a reply, she clutched her things and hurried off, disappearing into the snowy street.

Back in the car, Phillips turned to Eric. “Mr. Flynn, Elissa didn’t seem hurt at all, but she bought those supplies

and even fever patches... Strange, don’t you think?”

Eric didn’t even spare him a glance. “Sebastian, drive.”

Sebastian didn’t question it and pulled away from the curb.

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Chapter 180 Maybe A Friend Took Her in

But Phillips wasn’t done thinking about it.

A few moments later, he glanced out the window-then abruptly stiffened. “Wait a second... isn’t that Elissa?”

Phillips frowned. “She’s walking in the wrong direction,” he muttered. “If she was heading home, she'd be taking

the road to Redmarsh. But instead, she’s going the other way.”

Eric's eyes snapped open.

Phillips immediately fell silent, unsure. “Uh-Mr. Flynn, should I just... stop talking?”

Eric didn’t even bother replying to him, he simply gave instructions. “Sebastian, follow her.”

“Yes, sir.”

Phillips was now completely thrown off. Follow Elissa? Why? Why did Eric suddenly care?

Even Eric didn’t fully understand it. He just knew that if they followed Elissa-They might really find Hadley.

As the car changed course, Eric bowed his head slightly, clenching his fists.

Unaware she was being followed, Elissa hopped on a bus, eventually stepping off near Mayfield Road.

Then, without hesitation, she made a turn and headed into Millland Road.

Phillips watched closely, brows furrowed. “Mr. Flynn, what now?”

Eric's voice was steady. Calm. Absolute. “We go after her.”

Just then, his phone buzzed in his pocket.

It was Ernest.

“Hello?” Eric's voice was low, steady-but charged with something beneath the surface. “I'm at Millland Road. |

think Hadley’s somewhere here.”

The two brothers exchanged only a few curt words before the line went dead.

On the other end, Ernest set his phone down, his expression unreadable. Then, without hesitation, he wheeled

himself toward the door.

“Ernest, where are you going?”

Linda’s voice rang out behind him, but he barely glanced back. “There's news about Hadley. I'm heading to

Millland Road.”

Then, as if anticipating her reply, he added firmly, “Just stay here with Grandma. Quentin will cwith me.”

Inside the small apartment, Hadley cradled Joy, her voice gentle and coaxing.

“Be good, sweetheart. You need to get your shot,” she murmured, tucking a stray curl behind Joy's ear. “If you

don’t, you'll get sick, and... Mommy will be really worried.”

Joy, who had been pouting in resistance, suddenly perked up at the last part.

“Like Mommy is now?” she asked sweetly.

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Chapter 180 Maybe A Friend Took Her In

“Yes,” she said with a small smile. “When Mommy gets sick, doesn’t Joy worry too?”

“1 do,” Joy answered without hesitation.

She sat still for a moment, her tiny fists clenched, clearly torn between fear and bravery. “I don’t want Mommy to

worry... I'll get the shot.”

Hadley’s chest tightened with pride. “Joy is such a good girl.”

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“Well then!” Melba clapped her hands and lifted Joy into her arms.

“Let's go, sweetheart! And if you be brave and don’t cry, I'll buy you a candy later, okay?”

Joy's head rested against Melba’s shoulder, but she turned to Hadley for confirmation. “Mommy, is that okay?”

“Yes.” She added, “but only one.”

Joy beamed. “Yay! Thank you, Mommy!”

Snuggling closer to Melba, Joy then whispered happily, “Thank you, Melba! | promise | won't cry!”

“Alright, brave girl,” Melba said warmly before heading out.

Elissa, who had been watching from the side, let out a dreamy sigh.

“Joy is adorable,” she said wistfully, plopping into a chair. “Your daughter is the kind that makes anyone want to

have daughters.”

She dropped her bag onto the table, and then gestured toward Hadley’s bandaged hand. “Don’t worry. | won't

breathe a word about it.

Alright, lettake a look at your hand. Do you need your dressing changed?”

Hadley showed her palm to her friend. “I think it’s fine...”

Elissa’s brows furrowed as she carefully unwrapped the bandage. It didn’t look fine at all. The wound looked

inflamed, the skin around it reddened, irritated.

“This doesn’t look great,” she murmured. “We should get you to a hospital.”

“No-" Hadley jerked back instantly, her face paling, shoulders trembling slightly. “If | go to a hospital, he'll find

me.”

Hadley had learnt from Elissa that Eric had been to the dance troupe, interrogating everyone, searching every

corner of the city.

He wasn’t giving up.

And Hadley... she didn’t want to see him

“Alright, alright! No hospitals. We won't go.” Elissa glanced at Hadley’s trembling hands and softened her voice.

In the elevator bank, Phillips studied the panel, his tone low but precise.

“Mr. Flynn, Elissa got off on the ninth floor.”

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Eric gave a small nod, barely acknowledging the words,

With a soft chime, the elevator doors slid open.

Eric stepped out first-sharp, focused. At that exact moment-The doors of the adjacent elevator parted. From

inside, Melba emerged, cradling Joy in her arms.

“Alright, sweet girl-let’s get that candy!”

As the doors clicked shut before him, Eric looked up. That child... Was that... Joy?