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

Chapter 10 Unreasonable Favoritism

Hadley stiffened suddenly. She knew Eric was alluding to an incident from four years

earlier…

Indeed, in his perspective, she remained deeply flawed.

Hadley gave a small smile, and then gently pulled her arm back, quietly going along with what they wanted.

“I admit, it was my own carelessness.”

Nyla exhaled a worried sigh. “How could you be so careless? Introducing you is now a dilemma. It’s not merely about people misjudging my oversight. It also comes across as disrespectful. How do you plan to mingle with them now?”

She then addressed Eric. “Isn’t there a spare dress for her? This attire isn’t suitable.”

“Nyla.”

Before Eric could offer a solution, Hadley intervened with a reassuring smile. “It’s alright. If it complicates things, let’s skip the introductions.”

“What?” Nyla’s confusion was evident. “How can we overlook introductions at your own welcome home party?”

Not only Nyla, but Eric and Linda also gave Hadley bewildered looks, their expressions filled with curiosity.

Hadley paid no mind to their stares and offered Nyla a reassuring smile. “Don’t worry about it. Your generosity in arranging this event is more than enough for me. The finer details aren’t important.”

“But…”

Hadley noticed Nyla’s lingering concern and reassured her further. “There will be other opportunities.”

That seemed to resolve the matter.

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Chapter 10 Unreasonable Favoritism

Nyla took Hadley’s hand gently and gave it a comforting pat. “I’m so sorry things unfold like this.”

“Please, there’s no need for apologies. I’m quite alright.”

As she withdrew her hand, Hadley insisted, “The guests shouldn’t be kept waiting Go ahead without me. I’m not quite dressed for the occasion.”

Nyla exhaled a resigned sigh, torn but accepting.

“Look after yourself, and let’s chat later.”

“Of course.”

“Nyla.” With a warm smile, Linda looped her arm through Nyla’s. “Don’t be upset. Now that Hadley’s here, she’ll have plenty of time to spend with you. Why don’t I accompany you this evening?”

“Linda.” With a chuckle, Nyla affectionately squeezed Linda’s hand. “I love you too. Both of you are like granddaughters to me.”

They shared a laugh and moved on.

Eric initially followed but paused after a few paces, turning to look back at Hadley.

He observed her retreating figure from afar.

Her silhouette appeared solitary, prompting a frown from Eric… Had he been too harsh?

“Eric?”

Linda realized he was lagging behind and turned to see him staring at Hadley from afar.

She bit her lip slightly. “Did my earlier words upset you?”

“No.” Eric reassured her as he met her gaze. “You were protecting Grandma from worry. You acted appropriately. Why would I hold that against you?”

Linda’s face lit up with relief. “I appreciate your understanding. Shall we?”

“Sure.”

Hadley found herself at a secluded table, surrounded by strangers. Not recognizing anyone suited her just fine–she preferred solitude anyway.

for a

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took Hadley’s hand gearly and grow be a comforting par Tim so sorry

like this”

to

hand, Hadley inainted, “The gases shouldn’t be kept waiting, Go sheed without me. I’m not

resigned

and

“Of course.”

smile, Linda looped her arm through Nyla’s, “Don’t be upset. Now that Hadley’s here, she’ll have plenty of time to spend with you. Why

Nyla affectionately squeezed Linda’s hand. I love you too. Both of you are like

a laugh and moved

few paces, turning to look back

observed her retreating figure

solitary, prompting a frown from Eric… Had he been too

“Eric?”

behind and turned to see him

her lip slightly. “Did my earlier words upset

gaze. “You were protecting Grandma from worry. You acted appropriately. Why would I hold that against

with relief. “I appreciate your

“Sure.”

by strangers. Not recognizing anyone suited

expectations for a quiet evening

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Chapter 10 Unreasonable

and glanced at her

“Who is that?”

appropriate for someone dressed like that

She hadn’t quite satisfied her appetite with

was exceptionally

her spoon aside, Hadley grasped the soup plate with both hands and

“Unbelievable!”

“How rude!”

“We should leave.”

departed with

on the table, Hadley maintained

welcome relief.

was drawn back. Did one of those girls

at

faced her.

Did she do something to upset

something you need?” Hadley

looked at her plate. It was piled with

previously more modest eating

about his reasons for approaching her. Perhaps it was driven by a

had changed. This event was meant to welcome her,

hadn’t even been

silence. “This evening has certainly been eventful. Linda has only recently entered

His voice faded away.

grasped the situation. Was he attempting

apologies, Eric struggled to say the

“I’m aware. I overheard

demeanor seemed to deepen Eric’s discomfort. He eventually pierced the awkward silence. “You aren’t upset,

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Chapter 11 kneemable faptism

a light dude escaped Hadley, finding his worry somewhat

that audiret hostility was a trait bound by

relationship was a thing of

Hadley offered a reassuring smile and a shake of her head. “No. You

Her composure remained intact

concern.

still, Hadley voiced her confusion. “Shouldn’t you be

her way of dismissing