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?

a touch of scorn, “Good to know you

trouble.”

Hadley’s face showed no emotion. “Are we done here? I’d like

taken aback by her lack of

and gestured dismissively.

to leave, a thought struck Eric.

now?” Hadley looked back, her expression tight with

cause

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

but then chose

of the guest rooms are used. Where have

He had checked?

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by his sudden interest in the servants‘ quarters, though she

house, he had every right to check on things whenever he

toward the living area. “I’ve been

couch?” Eric was

kept it clean, there’s no dirt or odd

a brief pause, she added, “If it bothers you,

found himself at a loss

“Is there anything else?*

interaction. “I’m exhausted and would

go to sleep.”

her

Eric couldn’t help but follow

her entering the bathroom, spotting a suitcase by

clothes and her toiletries.

Eric’s frown intensified.

moved closer and looked at her squarely. “So, this is how you’ve been managing

Hadley simply

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

instead she asked,

“Hold on.”

suddenly struck

gave a knowing smirk, his expression one of

sorry for you? Do you think this will make me go

What was he implying?

for Hadley to grasp his meaning, her confusion apparent. “You think I’m trying to win

it be?” Eric scoffed, his tone derisive. “Why else would someone like you, who’s always had everything you want, endure such

had everything she

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16 Want To Salvage

aback by his sudden interest in the servants‘ quarters, though

why he had looked.

house, he had every right to check

toward the living area. “I’ve been

been on the couch?” Eric was

worry about it,” Hadley responded. “I’ve kept

a brief pause, she added, “If it bothers you,

himself at

“Is there anything else?”

interaction. “I’m exhausted and would just like to wash up and go

made her way deeper into the

curiosity, Eric couldn’t help but follow

door from which she took a change of clothes and her

Eric’s frown intensified.

and looked at her squarely. “So, this is how you’ve been managing these days?” Holding her

are you putting yourself

she asked, “May I shower

“Hold on.”

thought suddenly

knowing smirk,

on thick, aren’t you? Trying to make me feel sorry for you? Do you think this will make

What was he implying?

Hadley to grasp his meaning, her confusion apparent. “You think I’m