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

Chapter 45 Are They Still Together Now

“What the hell is that?”

A slick, unpleasant sensation clung to the bottom of Eric’s shoe, sending a shudder up his spine.

He aimed his phone’s flashlight downward, only to find that he had stepped on something soft–and clearly edible.

Disgust twisted his expression as he yanked his foot back.

Irritated, he stomped twice, shaking off the remnants, and then strode forward, his patience already wearing

thin.

Behind him, Hadley threw the door wide open.

She just realized that, without meaning to, she might have dropped her pumpkin soup earlier when she was startled by Eric’s presence at her doorstep.

Turning on her phone’s flashlight, she scanned the area, sweeping the beam across the hallway until she spotted it in the corner. But the sight made her stomach drop–the bowl lay shattered, with soup splattered messily across the floor.

Hadley released a slow, disappointed breath. “It’s completely ruined,” she muttered under her breath.

Without hesitation, she turned away, reached for a mop, and set to work. It only made sense that she should

be the one to clean up the mess.

Still, she didn’t dwell on the spilled soup for long.

By the next morning, she had put it out of her mind and arrived at the address Elvin had sent, stepping in right on time alongside a small group of other dance stand–ins.

What she hadn’t expected was to see Adonis there as well, standing next to the choreographer.

“I’ll make this quick,” he said, his tone brisk. “The choreographer and I have already discussed what I want to

present. Every routine they’ve designed needs to be drilled until it’s flawless. When the cameras roll, I don’t want a single pause.”

Adonis had built his reputation on filming scenes in a single, continuous take, demanding that his actors,

actresses, and even background dancers perform with the precision and stamina of a Broadway production.

“Yes, sir,” the girls replied in unison.

Hadley gave herself a silent pep talk.

She wasn’t nervous. As a dancer, her job was to execute every move with precision, and she was more than

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Chapter 45 Are They Still Together Now

ready for it.

Rajab’s Family My Boys is Going to Pakistan Rajab is totally Alone now

From morning until well past midday, Hadley and the other girls pushed themselves to their limits under the choreographer’s watchful eye, sweating through every grueling sequence.

Adonis‘ expectations were nothing short of relentless. And this was just for the opening number–or so they’d

been told.

By the time the choreographer finally clapped his hands and dismissed them, the clock had already passed two

in the afternoon.

practicing when you get home. You all know exactly what Mr. Faulkner expects from you.”

“We will.”

“Alright.”

hand to her stomach as

earlier, but after dancing for hours on end, the

Now she had a decision to make–grab a burger nearby or drag herself

more economical–felt exhausting. She needed food immediately.

place nearby, she grabbed a burger, unwrapped it, and took a bite as she

walking.

called out to

lifted her

distance away, watching her with an expression that made it seem like he thought she

“Hadley!”

closer, the man’s face broke into an eager, almost disbelieving smile.

so much–I barely recognized you…” His voice faded, the

sarcasm evident in her voice. “Look, could you move? You’re in

off by her response. “Hadley, don’t you recognize

an eyebrow, her tone indifferent. “Are

if she had truly forgotten him or if she was intentionally shutting him out.

“It’s been years–five, to be exact. You’ve changed a lot, but I haven’t. If you just take a second to think, you

no idea what you’re talking

for this conversation. “I don’t know you. Get out of my way and

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Chapter 45 Are They Still

for a response, she stepped around him, ready to put the

“Hadley!”

for her and grabbed her

her wrist, something deep inside Hadley snapped, like a trigger being pulled without

“Ah!”

widened in pure panic. She struggled violently against his grip, her breathing turning ragged. “Let go of me! Get your hands

“Is something wrong?”

understand why she

trying to hurt

touch

terror flashing in her eyes, but no

tightened. “Hadley, what’s

your hands off her!”

spiral any further,

It was Eric.

that accentuated his striking features,

moved, the crisp white cuff of his shirt slipped into view, revealing

like this, there was an effortless

whisper, barely believing he was standing there, defending

“I’m here.”

her words were barely audible, Eric

in her tone–a quiet, unspoken reliance on him–that sent an unexpected tightness

toward the man

go. Are you deaf?”

“You…”

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to recognize him. His grip loosened instantly, his

sharp, unimpressed sound.

was beneath him. “So you know who

the man another glance. His attention was solely

face was drained of color, her body trembling, her lips pale. She looked