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

Chapter 18 You Seem Really Familiar

Before Barrie or Marshall could react, Denver accidentally inhaled his sparkling wine, causing it to spray out.

Embarrassment colored his face a deep red. “I’m so sorry…”

As he continued to apologize profusely, Denver couldn’t help but comment, “Eric, that line was pretty cheesy. You know, if you were trying to flirt with someone like that, they’d just laugh it off.”

Eric was momentarily taken aback.

Both Barrie and Marshall exchanged looks before erupting into laughter.

“Look at that!” Barrie chuckled, giving Eric a friendly pat on the shoulder. “Mr. Flynn, you’ve been burned! How

does that feel?”

“Knock it off,” Eric retorted with a smile, playfully pushing Barrie’s hand away.

His gaze returned to the stage, still trying to pinpoint why she looked so familiar.

As the song concluded, Hadley removed her hat and held it against her chest, bowing slightly to the audience.

From the crowd came enthusiastic calls, shouting, “Don’t stop at the hat! Let’s see under the mask too!”

“Exactly! Your moves are top–notch, and your figure is stunning. How about your face?”

“Come on!”

The crowd persisted.

Hadley, however, chose to ignore the clamor, offering a swift smile and a quick bow before she turned and disappeared backstage.

“Where’s she off to now?”

“Stay, even if you won’t reveal your face, dance again!”

Yet, Hadley continued on her way, leaving the audience’s pleas behind.

Backstage, Lennon burst into the dressing room, his face alight with excitement.

“You absolutely killed it with that dance, Hadley!” he exclaimed.

Standing, Hadley offered a modest smile. “Thank you, Mr. Lewis. I just did what I could.”

“Don’t be modest!”

Lennon dismissed her humility with a wave of his hand. “Just as I thought, everyone’s buzzing about who the

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Hiew *# *re he sensation night from the start!”

Hadley Naneve,

Wyss that mean my work for tonight is finished?”

for one performance, though he

IN AAN W Drepared, secined they were

www

WY GARE the tige enon

dispel all the intrigue we’ve built. We want

“Becky marveling” Hadley responded

room. “You’re free

surprised and slightly embarrassed. “I’ve only danced one

will escalate, and you’ll need to engage more with the crowd. Prepare for that. Plus, once that starts, you’ll see additional tips

get W.” Hedley nodded in agreement. “Thanks, Mr. Lewis.”

no need for thanks, You’ve earned

“Absolutely”

Hadley took

each evening for a single performance, rehearsal

another job during the day to supplement her

additional income was

back into her usual

second!

halted

her heel, spotting a

tall, standing over six feet, with a slim, youthful build and a face that radiated charisma. Self–consciously, Hadley touched her chest and

forward with a small key pouch in his hand, which he held out to her. “You dropped this,

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You

Hadley nodded,

bag, puzzled. “I

go,” he said with a friendly smile, handing her the keys. “Make sure

genuinely relieved. The thought of being locked out without her keys, and the expense

“No problem at all.”

continued to gaze at her, a hint of recognition in his eyes. “I’m sorry, but do

familiar.”

briefly before chuckling softly. “Really? That line’s a

The young man’s cheeks turned a

meant to be a line!” He exclaimed, somewhat embarrassed. “Honestly, you just look really familiar.” Hadley smiled and held up her key pouch. “Thanks for this. Bye,” she

“Wait…”

slapping his forehead

just made fun of Eric for being old–school, and here I am, sounding just

It was unfortunate.

She was truly striking

merely visiting or worked at the club and

dawn, jolted awake by severe

from sleep.

hadn’t been

health had deteriorated due to the stress of

month had

learned various methods to

her dance routine, stay away from cold beverages, and endure

for a heat patch and applied it beneath her clothes, hoping the

no dance performance scheduled, today held significant

anniversary of her