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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slice of orange.

try–it’s really

and her face lit up.

over Hadley’s actions. Was she crafting a plot to wrest

assured Nyla of her

assertions appeared

she really mean

few days later.

Galant. The sequence of the

and others much later. This night wasn’t the latest she had been held up; there had been sessions that extended until

bus stop, hoping to

waited, no buses appeared. It

noticed this part of town had

towards the nearest intersection, finding all the bikes stationed across the street.

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

and heading back

though not enough to be drunk, the lack of

his seat, trying to take a rest.

“Huh?”

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

What?

Sebastian’s remark, Eric’s eyes snapped open, and sure enough, it was Hadley. He turned to Sebastian,

out a light laugh.

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

think she’s doing out so

have answers

an

the pedestrian light flicked to green, Hadley darted across the street, pulled out her phone, scanned the QR code on a nearby bike, and started pedaling away with purpose.

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41 Like His Own Sister

curious, asked loudly, “What could she

from suggesting they offer Hadley a ride.

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

“Understood.”

and maintained a discreet distance behind Hadley.

should we escort her home?”

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

sure we don’t lose sight

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

expert driver himself, Sebastian found

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

housed several respectable

veered off, heading in

er up.

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

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

would she visit at such a late

Hadley residing