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

Chapter 15 His Lips Met

Hers

“I’m on my way!”

Ending the call, Eric felt his patience wearing thin. Yet again, Hadley had landed herself in trouble. Ever since she returned to Srixby, chaos seemed to follow her everywhere.

Now, she was being held at a police station for assault?

This wasn’t just another minor issue–it was serious.

Grinding his teeth, he grabbed his keys and stormed out, heading straight for the police station.

The city was eerily quiet at this hour, the roads nearly deserted.

Eric pulled up at the station in under thirty minutes.

Just as he stepped forward, a young officer blocked his way. “This area isn’t open to just anyone. Who are you?”

“They called me in.”

His expression remained impassive, his gaze unwavering. “I’m here for Hadley Pearson. I’m her… friend.”

“Hadley Pearson? Very well, go ahead.”

The officer granted him entry and shouted back into the station, “Someone’s here for Hadley!”

“Really? Send them through!”

Seated inside, Hadley was taken aback. Who could it be?

She turned in confusion, only to meet Eric’s stern visage, intensifying her bewilderment. Why was he here?

Eric’s expression was grave, his demeanor cold.

“Hadley, tell me the truth. Did you orchestrate this? Are you trying to complicate my life now? Is this your way of holding on to me?”

The situation was painfully reminiscent.

Four years ago, with Linda’s incident, Eric had similarly rushed to judge, leaping to conclusions without grasping the entire situation or knowing all the details.

Hadley parted her lips to speak but then chose silence.

Let him think what he pleased.

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Chapter 15 Mis Lips Met Hers

Their paths would soon diverge completely, leaving no connection between them. His opinion of her was

irrelevant.

“Are you going to say anything?” Eric let out a short, bitter laugh when Hadley remained silent. “I must have hit the mark, huh? Grandma actually thought you’d changed, that you’d grown wiser! How ridiculous!”

For a moment, even he had believed she had changed. But clearly, it had all been an act.

“Uh…”

A police officer finally intervened, pulling Eric aside. “Sir, please calm down. Let me explain the situation first.”

“Fine.” Eric exhaled sharply, forcing himself to rein in his temper. “Go on.”

“Alright.”

compensation fee, and the case is closed. There’s no concrete evidence, and honestly, taking this to court would be a pointless drain of

Eric fell

Was this really how things had played

some biker actually harassed her, and she

deliberately stirring up

because he hadn’t given her a ride that

with that thug…

expression darkened, his jaw tightening as he mulled it over.

go ahead with

“No!”

abruptly shot up from her chair, her posture firm as

I don’t know this man. He has no authority to

single cent!”

“This is-”

Eric’s patience snapped, his face paling with rage. “Enough of

a whole ordeal? Don’t listen to her–I’ll

please come

teeth clenched as she glared at him, fury burning

I said no settlement!”

frustration at her defiance. Was she seriously going to drag this out instead of taking the easy way

mocking. “Is that so? And what exactly do you plan to do about it? I’m handling this whether you

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“Eric!”

15 His Lips Met

him override her decision. Her eyes stung with anger. Five thousand dollars wasn’t just pocket

ultimately made the payment, signed the

settlement.

over to collect your belongings, and

his focus shifted back to Hadley. “Let’s go. Get your things, and we’re

his direction, Hadley stood

bag.” The officer handed

item–her phone, keychain, pepper

“Everything’s accounted for.”

gaze landed on the unexpected object. Pepper

actually carry this

his eyes narrowing as he noticed the dried

it from his grasp and attempting to

officer raised a hand, stopping her. “Miss, that’s considered a

it with you.”

lifted in surprise.

anything, but it’s still a potential weapon. You wouldn’t be able to get through subway security with that. Consider yourself lucky this time that no major

her face before she

belongings into her bag and

“Appreciate it, officer.”

“No problem.”

she turned and strode out

pace was brisk,

he hurried after her, struggling to keep pace. “Slow down! I’ll

home!”

“Don’t touch me!”

whirled around, eyes flashing with alarm as she shot

“Stay back!”

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15 His Lips Met

in a gesture of surrender. “Alright, I won’t touch you. I won’t