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

Chapter 16 Want To Salvage The Marriage

As their lips briefly met, the softness was unexpectedly profound.

Almost immediately, Hadley was overwhelmed with a flood of emotions, her eyes flashing with shock.

She reacted instantly, pushing Eric away with force from her hands and feet. “Let go of me! What are you doing?

Get off!”

“Hadley, what’s happening here?”

Eric, visibly annoyed, responded, “Do you really think I was trying to hold you romantically? You were asleep and I was merely helping you. The kiss was just an accident. I lost my balance!”

“Back off!”

“Calm down, alright? I’m letting you go!”

Eric stepped back at once, but his attention was drawn to her arms. Noticing the cuts and blood, concern flickered across his face.

He reached out instinctively to touch her arm. “Did these wounds happen when you were defending yourself? Are you injured? Why didn’t you mention these at the station?”

Their distance narrowed once again.

Overwhelmed, Hadley suddenly clutched her head and let out a piercing scream. “I said back off! Stay away from

me!”

Eric was taken aback, his thoughts whirling.

He quickly withdrew his hand and moved back. “Okay, okay! I was just trying to help, but clearly, it didn’t work

out.”

“Ah!!!”

Hadley closed her eyes tightly and screamed, shaking her head as if to block out his voice.

“Hadley!”

In his frustration, Eric slapped his hand against the car. “Settle down! Look at me!”

The impact made the car vibrate. Hadley went still, and then slowly opened her eyes. Seeing that Eric maintained his distance, she began to relax.

She gripped her backpack tightly and whispered, “Move back a few steps, please.”

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Chapter 16 Want To Salvage The Marriage

This would give her enough space to exit the vehicle.

Eric, his frustration evident, nodded and stepped back.

Hadley compressed her lips, bowed her head, and quickly climbed out of the car, starting to walk away briskly

Watching her retreat, Eric couldn’t help but snort. “What was she thinking? Does she really believe I was going to do something to her?”

How ridiculous! Eric shook his head, trailing after her.

“Hadley.”

Upon entering the living room, he called out again.

Hadley paused but didn’t turn around. “What is it?”

Eric’s laugh was cold, tinged with contempt. “Really, Hadley, your behavior earlier. Did you actually believe I was about to make a move on you?”

Hadley’s gaze dropped to the floor, her silence filling the room.

He took that as confirmation.

His voice dripped with sarcasm. “Unbelievable! I wasn’t interested in you four years ago, and now you think I suddenly am?”

Abruptly, she spun around to meet his gaze. “I’m well aware of how little I mean to you. I’m probably worth less than the family dog to you. You don’t need to emphasize it over and over; I understand it already.”

Eric was momentarily speechless.

“Less than the family dog?” Had he ever implied that?

scoffed with a touch of scorn, “Good to know

trouble.”

emotion. “Are we done here? I’d

aback by her lack of

his head and gestured

leave, a thought

Hadley looked back,

cause

but let out a frustrated chuckle. “Really? Giving me attitude now? Tell me. Which room

but then chose

“I looked around, and none of the guest rooms are used.

He had checked?

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16 Want to Salvage

sudden interest in the servants‘ quarters, though she wasn’t inclined to inquire why

of the house, he had every right to check on things

area. “I’ve been sleeping

the couch?”

I’ve kept it clean, there’s no

brief pause, she added, “If it bothers you, I can cover

at a loss for

“Is there anything else?*

conclude their interaction. “I’m exhausted and would just like to wash

go to sleep.”

that, she made her way deeper into the

Eric couldn’t help

a suitcase by the door from which she

clothes and her toiletries.

Eric’s frown intensified.

her squarely.

Hadley simply nodded.

doubtful. “What’s going on with you? Why are you putting

instead she asked,

“Hold on.”

thought suddenly

a knowing smirk, his expression one

me feel sorry for you? Do you think this will

What was he implying?

his meaning, her confusion apparent. “You think I’m trying to win your sympathy to salvage

his tone derisive. “Why else would someone like you, who’s

everything she wanted,

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16 Want To Salvage

aback by his sudden interest in the

why he had looked.

proprietor of the house, he had every right to check on things whenever

gestured toward the living area. “I’ve been sleeping on

on the couch?”

“I’ve kept it clean; there’s no

added, “If it bothers you, I

himself at a

“Is there anything else?”

was eager to conclude their interaction. “I’m exhausted and would just like

she made her way deeper

Eric couldn’t help

the bathroom, spotting a suitcase by the door from which she took a change of clothes and her

Eric’s frown intensified.

how you’ve been managing these

Eric was doubtful. “What’s going on with you? Why are you putting yourself through this? Are you

respond directly, instead she asked, “May I shower

“Hold on.”

suddenly struck

gave a knowing smirk,

Trying to make me feel sorry for you? Do you think this will make me go easy

What was he implying?

her confusion apparent. “You think I’m trying to win your sympathy to