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

Chapter 41 Like His Own

Sister

“What?” Both Eric and Hadley stopped in their tracks, uncertain.

What was Nyla implying?

“Why that look?” Nyla’s chuckle broke the tension as she addressed Eric.

Turning her attention to Hadley, she patted her hand reassuringly. “Don’t worry, dear. I’m just ensuri well–being.”

She then faced Eric again.

“You should know what I’m getting at, if you have any heart. Hadley has no one else. I’ve failed her before, so it’s my duty to see her settled before I can rest easy.”

“Nyla…” Hadley interjected with a shake of her head. “I can look after myself.”

But Nyla dismissed her concerns and continued to fix Eric with a stern look.

“I expect you to look after Hadley as if she were your own sister. I want her to be happy and well–cared for until she marries someone decent. Her well–being will reflect on you. Do you grasp my meaning?”

“I understand.” Eric acknowledged with a nod.

The message was unmistakable. Hadley, though not his wife anymore, was still his family.

“Do you get it?” Nyla asked, her tone sharpening as she scrutinized him.

Eric quickly reassured her. “I’ve got it. Don’t worry.”

“Good,” Nyla responded, though her gaze lingered on Eric, sensing something amiss. “What’s that look for? You

think I’m asking too much?”

“Not at all,” Eric responded hastily, shaking his head. A peculiar sensation washed over him, a mix of relief and

confusion.

“Don’t worry, Grandma. I’ve given my word, and I’ll look after her well… Consider Hadley as my sister now.”

At the mention of “sister,” Hadley subtly lowered her gaze, concealing a slight, scornful smile.

“Then it’s decided,” Nyla replied.

She dismissed him with a wave. “Off you go. Hadley will stay with me.”

“Okay, take good care, Grandma.”

With that, Eric departed, gently shutting the door behind him. As he left, he caught sight of Hadley offering

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a slice

try–it’s

face lit up. “Indeed, it’s

door clicked shut, mulled over Hadley’s actions. Was she crafting a plot to

repeatedly assured Nyla of her disinterest in him.

appeared

she really mean it?

few days

was nearing midnight when Hadley exited Galant. The sequence

perform early and others much later. This night wasn’t the latest she had been

bus stop,

as she waited, no buses appeared. It seemed she was too

of town had many rental bikes available.

headed towards the nearest intersection, finding all the bikes stationed across

noticed someone familiar at the same light. It was Eric, returning from a

back to Silver Villas.

in a bit of alcohol; though not enough to

He reclined in his seat,

“Huh?”

blue, Sebastian gestured towards the window. “Mr.

What?

Eric’s eyes snapped open, and sure enough, it was Hadley. He turned to Sebastian, impressed. “Your eyesight is truly remarkable, Sebastian. You always manage to find her in

out a

it’s because she’s so distinctive? She always catches my eye first in any crowd. And look, she’s

you think

think I have answers to that

quirked an eyebrow.

out her phone, scanned the QR code on a nearby bike, and

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41 Like His Own Sister

loudly, “What could she possibly be doing out so late?”

interactions, Sebastian held back from suggesting

Eric commanded, “Sebastian, follow her.” Startled, Sebastian blinked but

“Understood.”

maintained a discreet distance

we

for that,” Eric replied, dismissing the idea with a wave of his hand. “Keep the pace

lose sight of her.”

Sebastian was puzzled but didn’t press further. “Alright,

himself, Sebastian found tailing someone relatively straightforward.

distance, tracking Hadley to Mayfield Road,

area, though older, housed several respectable

Hadley suddenly veered off, heading in a

er up.

deeper, the neighborhood’s decline was stark. The surroundings grew increasingly shabby.

grew stern, reflecting the setting’s gloom. Sebastian, unable to contain his curiosity, asked, “What could she

would she visit at such

idea of Hadley residing here also