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

0.0%

19:13

O

<

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

Hadley Naneve,

Wyss that mean my work for tonight is finished?”

maximed early Now Nowy was just for one performance, though

they were adhering to the initial

www

WY GARE the tige

ow wow, you’d dispel all the intrigue we’ve

“Becky marveling” Hadley responded

enthusiastically, his laughter filling the room. “You’re free to go now. No

slightly embarrassed. “I’ve only danced

the stage. When you eventually reveal your face, the exchement will escalate, and you’ll need to engage more with the crowd. Prepare for that. Plus, once that starts, you’ll see additional tips

nodded in agreement. “Thanks, Mr. Lewis.”

earned

“Absolutely”

exited, Hadley took a

hours each evening for a single performance, rehearsal included—it wasn’t

about finding another job during the day to

additional income

removed all traces of stage makeup and changed back into her usual attire, Hadley picked up her bag and made her

second! Hey, you,

halted in

a

a slim, youthful build and a face that

a small key pouch in his hand, which he

19:13

|||

O

<

18 You Seem Really

the pouch, Hadley nodded, grateful. “Yes, that’s

bag, puzzled. “I

said with a friendly smile, handing her

of being locked out without her keys, and the

“No problem at all.”

in his eyes. “I’m

familiar.”

chuckling softly. “Really? That line’s a bit retro, don’t you

man’s cheeks turned a shade of

familiar.” Hadley smiled and held up

“Wait…”

slapping his forehead

of Eric for being old–school, and here I

It was unfortunate.

She was truly striking

merely visiting or worked at the club and whether they might meet

severe menstrual

from sleep.

hadn’t been

since becoming a mother, her health had deteriorated due to the stress of

month had become

various methods to

stay away from cold beverages, and endure the discomfort

a heat patch and applied it beneath her clothes,

no dance performance

was the anniversary of her grandmother’s