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

Chapter 7 How Cheap She Had Been

“Understood.”

Hadley nodded. “I won’t cook here again.”

Noticing his evident revulsion, she assured him. “I’ll ventilate the kitchen later to clear

out the smells and make sure everything is cleaned up.”

“You?” With a scoff, Eric mocked, “You struggle with noodles, and now you want to clean?

Don’t bother. Let the housekeeper handle it tomorrow.”

He then turned and ascended the stairs.

At last, some peace…

Relieved, Hadley exhaled and resumed her seat.

The noodles, now even more unappetizing in their cold and mushy state, stared back at

her.

Expressionless, Hadley picked up her fork and hurriedly finished the noodles.

She then proceeded to open the windows to air out the kitchen, tidied up the space, and collapsed onto the couch in the living room.

Opting against the guest room, she didn’t want to give him any further reasons to complain about odors again.

Her plan was to start looking for an apartment the following day; for the moment, she would cope with the situation as best as she could.

The next morning, Hadley was up early and left the house before Eric could descend the

stairs.

She urgently needed both employment and a place to live.

The previous evening, Hadley had meticulously mapped out her journey. She headed

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Chapter 7 How Cheap She Had Been

directly to the bus stop, and then switched to the subway.

Her target was Galant, a well–known nightclub in the city.

Trained in modern dance, Hadley was there to try out for a position as a dancer

Galant was notorious locally as a hotspot where affluent patrons splurged on extravagant entertainment.

Yet, Hadley was undeterred. Her goal was to earn a living and sustain herself.

Moreover, she was there to showcase her skills, not to partake in anything dubious. There was dignity in her purpose.

When she reached the nightclub, she followed the instructions provided by her friend Colleen Hayes to locate a manager named Lennon Lewis.

As it was during the day and the club was not open, her meeting with Lennon happened swiftly.

“Good day, Mr. Lewis,” Hadley said, standing poised and composed.

“You come recommended by Ms. Hayes,

“Hadley Pearson.”

yes, now

her connections and striking

smile widened.

taken aback by the ease of it all. Even with Colleen’s backing, she hadn’t anticipated

so much, Mr.

“Let’s skip the formalities.”

for you, how could I

days and… Let’s see… How does Friday sound for your first night? It’s when

works for me,” Hadley responded with

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Chapter 7 How Cheap

set

you again, Mr.

nightclub after everything was taken care of,

twice before

time it

chuckled as she

playfully criticizing Colleen for her habit of returning calls

mean?” Colleen’s laughter came through the phone. “Long- distance charges add up, you know. You’re tight

little,”

gentle smile crossed Hadley’s face. “I get it, Colleen. Thanks for that, and for the

“You got the job?”

they’d hire you. Don’t stress. I’m taking care of things here

of long–distance calls, they quickly exchanged

priority was to secure

in questionable neighborhoods

to move on

Nyla was calling.

Hadley responded quickly, “Nyla?”

are you right now?”

traffic, Hadley replied casually, “Oh, just taking a stroll. Srixby

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your time to get reacquainted with the city. No

turn as Nyla broached the main topic of her

you left Srixby. I’m thinking we should have a little welcome- back party for

“A party?”

was quick to protest, feeling such a fuss was unnecessary. “There’s really no need for

was insistent. “You are Eric’s wife. With your return, it’s important for everyone to see you. They might

indeed available now that they’d signed the

no need…” Hadley persisted

concern before you… Have she died was your

years? Are you

I let

Hadley

seemed the party

it your

obligated to honor Nyla’s

Nyla sounded pleased. “We’ll make

“Thank you.”

ending the call, Hadley let out a heavy sigh. The search for an apartment had lost its appeal,