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 of

a try–it’s really sweet.”

and her face lit up. “Indeed, it’s as sweet as

Hadley’s actions. Was she crafting a plot to wrest back some control?

had indeed repeatedly assured Nyla of her disinterest in him.

assertions appeared sincere.

she really mean it?

days

The sequence of the

later. This night wasn’t the latest she had been held up; there had been sessions that extended until one or two

stop, hoping to catch the last

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

of town

finding all the bikes stationed across

at the same light. It was Eric, returning

and heading back to Silver Villas.

a bit of alcohol; though not enough to be drunk, the

seat, trying

“Huh?”

blue, Sebastian gestured towards the window. “Mr. Flynn, isn’t that Hadley over there?”

What?

to Sebastian, impressed. “Your eyesight is truly remarkable, Sebastian.

let out a light

always catches my eye first in any

think she’s

think I have answers to that question?”

an eyebrow.

green, Hadley darted across the street, pulled out her phone, scanned the QR code

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Like His Own

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

back from suggesting they offer Hadley

seconds later, Eric commanded, “Sebastian, follow her.” Startled, Sebastian blinked

“Understood.”

gas and maintained a discreet distance behind Hadley.

Flynn, should we escort her home?”

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

sure we don’t lose

puzzled but didn’t press further.

driver himself, Sebastian found tailing someone relatively straightforward.

distance, tracking Hadley to Mayfield Road,

housed several respectable

veered off, heading

er up.

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

setting’s gloom. Sebastian, unable to contain his curiosity, asked, “What could she possibly be doing in such a place? Does she

visit at such a late hour?

of Hadley residing here also seemed implausible.