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

Chapter 181 No More Tears, Okay

Eric wondered whether destiny was playing tricks on him.

An unexpected feeling stirred in his chest, tempting him to rush over and pull the little girl close.

Yet before he could act, Phillips yanked him back, and the elevator doors slid shut, sealing off his view. “Mr.

Flynn, what's gotten into you? That's dangerous! Besides, aren't we supposed to go upstairs?” Phillips's voice

shattered Eric's brief daze. Right-what had cover him?

He was here to find Hadley, and yet he’d been sidetracked by the mere sight of a small child.

The elevator chimed softly at the ninth floor.

Two apartments occupied this level, but since one stood empty, there was no question about his destination. On

the edge of the bed, Elissa carefully poured water into a glass, offering it gently to Hadley. She brushed Hadley’s

forehead lightly. “You're not burning up as much now.”

Elissa opened a new fever patch, carefully pressing it against Hadley’s forehead.

“You're still sure about skipping the medicine?” she asked with concern.

“I'll be fine,” Hadley replied softly, shaking her head as she took careful sips. “I'm already feeling better.”

A chill had crept into her body, leaving her slightly feverish, yet medication wasn’t an option.

After all, there was a chance she could be pregnant-how could she possibly risk it? “Alright then.”

Respecting Hadley’s wishes, Elissa stood up, picking up the ice pack that had lost its coolness. “Letget you a

fresh one. Do you want something to eat? Melba said she prepared schicken soup for you. Can you stomach

anything right now?”

“I think I'd like that...”

Elissa had just stepped into the kitchen when the sudden chof the doorbell startled her.

“Just a minute!” she called out.

Opening the door, Elissa froze instantly, eyes wide with shock. She whispered anxiously, “Mr. Flynn?”

A mocking laugh escaped Eric's lips, bitter and sharp.

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Everything he needed to know was written on her face.

“Hadley!”

Pushing past Elissa without another thought, Eric made his way directly into the master bedroom.

Seeing Eric suddenly appear, Hadley flinched, clutching the blanket tightly around herself, pressing backward

into the pillows as if hoping they could shield her.

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He had found her after all.

Somehow, he’d managed to track her here.

Elissa rushed inside, standing firmly in Eric's path with her arms stretched wide. “Mr. Flynn, you have to leave

right now. Hadley made it clear she doesn’t want to see you!”

“Hmm?”

Eric paused, tilting his head slightly.

An amused smirk played at the corners of his mouth as he said, “And you believe you're capable of stopping

me?”

Then his expression darkened as he recalled something else.

“But | suppose you're good at hiding things, aren’t you? Knowing everything and keeping it a secret fromall

this time!”

Eric dismissed her with an irritated wave. “Get out of my way.”

“Never!”

Elissa stood her ground defiantly, even though her legs shook and her face had drained of color.

“Hadley is hiding here precisely because she doesn’t want anything to do with you!”

Elissa might not understand the full picture, but she had no intention of abandoning her friend at a tlike this.

Eric released an exasperated sigh, his patience nearly gone.

Wasting targuing wasn’t on his agenda today.

Reaching forward abruptly, Eric seized Elissa’s wrists. “If you insist on getting in my way, I'll have no choice but

to remove you myself.”

With one swift motion, he moved her aside and roughly tossed her out of his way.

“Ah!”

Losing her balance, Elissa fell backward, colliding with Ernest, who had just entered the room in his wheelchair.

“Watch out!”

Reacting swiftly, Ernest reached forward and steadied her before she fell.

Elissa’s cheeks turned a deep shade of red as she realized she was now nearly sitting in Ernest's lap!

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Chapter 181 No More Tears, Okay

Oh no!

She'd just landed on someone in a wheelchair!

Was he hurt? Did she hurt him?

“Oh my gosh!”

Springing up instantly, Elissa stumbled over her words in embarrassment. “I'm really sorry! Are you alright? |

didn’t mean to land on you!”

Instead of letting go right away, Ernest held her firmly until she regained her balance. “You're steady now, right?

Can you stand?”

“Yes-yes, I'm fine!” Elissa replied anxiously, waving her hands to reassure him. “I'm perfectly steady now!”

“Good.” With a gentle nod, Ernest carefully withdrew his hands.

For a second or two, Ernest studied her face quietly before turning his attention elsewhere without another

word.

Meanwhile, Eric approached the bed slowly and seated himself at its edge. “Hadley.”

Hadley turned her back to him, closing her eyes and ignoring him.

Her cold reaction didn’t surprise him. From this angle, Eric clearly noticed how damp and shaky her eyelashes

were.

When his eyes drifted toward the bedside table, he took note of the medical supplies scattered there: fever

patches, ice packs, antiseptic solution, and gauze.

Frustration surged violently inside him, mingled with a powerful pang of guilt.

“Hadley.”

Gently, he enveloped her in his arms, pulling the blanket around her.

His voice shook quietly with regret. “I'm sorry, Hadley. | was a fool, and | hurt you badly.”

Still stubbornly facing away, Hadley clenched her fists beneath the blanket. Remembering his earlier cruelty

made her want to lash out at him-how dare he act sorry now!

“Get your hands off me!” She fought against his embrace.

“Hadley, please!” Eric captured her wrists. “You're furious, | get it. Go on, take a swing atif that'll help you

cool down!”

“Seriously?” Hadley’s eyes flashed angrily. “You think | won't do it?”

She swung her arm back sharply.

“Con then!” Eric said, tilting his head back, bracing for the blow. “Hituntil you're satisfied!” “Alright!”

However, instead of a slap, Hadley delivered a sharp kick.

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“Ugh!”

Eric doubled over, clutching his abdomen, gasping in pain. “Okay, you can hit me, but please, aim carefully next

time!”

What just happened?

Hadley observed his wincing face, a realization dawning on her-had she accidentally hit something... sensitive?

It wasn’t that she cared about him, but she still needed him for now!

Her heart raced, frustration boiling over.

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Why did she have to restrain her anger?

FAN

Overwhelmed, Hadley broke down in tears. “Why are you here? Can't you just leavealone? | don’t want to

see you anymore. Just go!”

Her involvement with him wasn’t about affection.

All she wanted was a child.

Why couldn't they just avoid crossing paths otherwise? But he persisted, not only ignoring her wishes but also

treating her harshly.

Hadley seized his collar, her whole body shaking. “Why can’t | escape your shadow now?”

Was he not capable of

nding her back in Blathe when she and Joy were desperately trying to make ends meet?

He had the means to locate anyone easily!

Yet, he chose to leave her to fend for herself. Four long years! So why did he start caring? Why now?

Fury burned in her eyes, and she wished she

could throttle him. “You're despicable! Leavealone!”

“I am despicable!” Eric agreed, closing his eyes, not resisting her accusations. “Please, stop crying. | accept all

the blame! | promise, never again!”

What?

This unexpected submission from Eric took Hadley aback; she was momentarily lost for words.

Could it be? The usually haughty Eric Flynn was humbling himself?

“Hadley.”

At the doorway, Ernest appeared, maneuvering his wheelchair.

Tears clouded her vision as she looked up, stuttering, “Ernest.”

“Here.” Ernest offered a handkerchief as he approached, his voice gentle. “Dry your eyes. They're all puffy.”

“Okay...” Taking the handkerchief, Hadley covered her face.

Ernest's hand tenderly brushed her hair, comforting her as he had in the past.

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Chapter 181 No More Tears, Okay

His soothing tone enveloped her. “There, there, Hadley. No more tears, okay?”

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