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 orange.

a try–it’s

sampled it and her face lit up. “Indeed,

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

repeatedly assured Nyla of

appeared

really mean

days

The sequence

causing some to perform early and others much later. This night wasn’t the latest she had been held up; there had been sessions that extended until one or two in the

her way to the bus stop, hoping to catch the last one

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

town had many rental bikes

towards the nearest intersection, finding all the

the green light, she noticed someone familiar at the same light. It was

and heading back to Silver

enough to be drunk, the

seat, trying to take a rest.

“Huh?”

the blue, Sebastian gestured towards the window. “Mr. Flynn, isn’t that

What?

Hadley. He turned to Sebastian, impressed. “Your eyesight is truly remarkable, Sebastian. You

a light laugh.

she’s so distinctive? She always catches my eye first in any crowd.

think

have answers to that

quirked an

street, pulled out her phone, scanned the QR code

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41 Like

could she

interactions, Sebastian held back from suggesting they offer

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

“Understood.”

gas and maintained a discreet distance

should we escort her home?”

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

lose sight of

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

driver himself, Sebastian found

a careful distance, tracking Hadley to Mayfield Road, where Eric

older, housed several

Hadley suddenly veered off, heading in

er up.

neighborhood’s decline was stark. The surroundings

curiosity, asked, “What could she possibly be doing in such a place? Does she live here, or is she visiting someone?”

at such a late

idea of Hadley residing