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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try–it’s

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

over Hadley’s actions. Was she crafting a plot

assured Nyla of her

assertions appeared

really mean it?

days later.

midnight when Hadley exited Galant. The sequence of the dance–off competition was left to

latest she had been held up; there had been sessions

stop, hoping

buses appeared.

noticed this part of town had many

finding all the bikes stationed across the street.

familiar at the same light. It

and heading back

a bit of alcohol; though not enough to be drunk, the lack of dinner made his

his seat, trying to take a rest.

“Huh?”

towards the window.

What?

by Sebastian’s remark, 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

let out a

distinctive? She always catches my eye

think she’s doing

think I have answers to that

quirked an eyebrow.

pedestrian light flicked to green, Hadley darted across the street, pulled out her phone, scanned the QR code on a nearby

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Chapter 41 Like His Own Sister

“What could she possibly be

past interactions, Sebastian held back from suggesting they offer Hadley a ride.

commanded, “Sebastian, follow her.”

“Understood.”

pressed on the gas and maintained a discreet

should we

Eric replied, dismissing the idea with a wave

sure we don’t lose sight of

didn’t press further. “Alright, understood.”

Sebastian found tailing

distance, tracking Hadley to Mayfield Road, where

housed several

Hadley suddenly veered off, heading in

er up.

delved deeper, the neighborhood’s decline was stark. The

his curiosity, asked, “What could she possibly be doing in such a place?

would she visit at such a

idea of Hadley residing here also seemed