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

Chapter 17 Her Debut Performance

Eric walked over and picked up the tube of ointment from the coffee table, examining it carefully.

The seal was intact.

Hadley hadn’t used it at all.

A cold smirk spread across his face. “Still playing the martyr for attention, I see.”

If Hadley chose not to use the ointment, that was her choice.

He wasn’t going to let it bother him.

Memories of how she hurt Linda four years ago resurfaced. He believed he had already extended more than enough grace to her.

With an indifferent flick of his wrist, Eric threw the ointment into the trash can and walked off.

Outside Silver Villas, Hadley activated her phone and called a rental agent. She dedicated her day to apartment

hunting.

By the late afternoon, she had secured a place.

It was a modest, slightly worn one–bedroom apartment in the older section of the city. It wasn’t lux…

us, but

it featured a kitchen and a bathroom–sufficient for her needs to cook and maintain her personal hygiene.

Given her limited budget, this was the best option available.

The agent inquired, “What do you think? Will this do?”

Hadley gave a small nod. “Yes, it’s fine,” she answered quietly.

“Excellent,” the agent responded. “I’ll draw up the contract. Once I confirm a few details with the landlord, you can move in soon.”

“Really? That’s great! Thank you so much.”

Securing her new living arrangement eased a significant weight off Hadley’s shoulders.

That evening, she experienced her first peaceful night’s sleep in a long time.

In contrast, Eric spent another night away from home.

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19:12

17 Her Debut

Today was Friday.

conserving her energy for her debut performance later. She

was crucial on her

early and reached Galant with twenty minutes to spare, ready to make

a warm smile and a strong handshake. “Tonight is your moment to shine, Hadley. Prepare to captivate everyone!” He motioned

responded with a tentative smile and

Now, go put on

“Understood.”

a jazz dance, complete with an exquisite

audience. By revealing less, we pique their curiosity, making them eager

approach was designed to draw in the crowd and

expression. “Your face is a valuable

was indifferent about the marketing

money, so she complied with the

before her performance, Lennon came by for a final check.

“I’m ready,” she replied.

rose to her feet and

had featured a pole dancer, which had already electrified the

with the overt sensuality of the

music cue sounded,

upper part of her face, while bright red lipstick accentuated her mouth, enhancing her mysterious allure without crossing

face, enhanced

around her as she moved, coupled with

spotlight, Hadley greeted the crowd with a captivating smile, her natural charm speaking

without a word.

the intimate tunes of

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Chapter 17 Her Debut

“Wow!”

whistles echoed throughout the venue as

directly across from the stage, Eric

and Marshall Myers.

along his cousin, Denver Moran, who had just returned from studying abroad, still exuding a fresh

Denver to

a drink, Marshall said, “Now that you’re a big boy and about to join the family business, you need to feel

his natural reticence

began her performance, instantly capturing the

venue.

view. “Check out the new act at Galant. She’s

“Appears so,” Marshall replied.

the stage. “It’s incredibly slender. Looks like I could

out to Eric?” Marshall chuckled, shaking his head. “Come on, you know Eric’s only interested

“Hey.”

sharply, “Go ahead,