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

Chapter 46 He Just Got The Wrong Person

As the car moved down the road, Eric kept stealing glances at Hadley beside him.

“You alright?”

“I’m fine.”

Hadley gave a small nod, though her body language told a different story. Her grip on her backpack was rigid, fingers locked around the straps like she was holding on for dear life.

Eric didn’t miss the way Hadley clung to her bag, her fingers curled tightly around the straps. His brow knit together.

There was no mistaking it–she was still shaken from what had happened.

The thought of that middle–aged man made irritation flare inside him. “Who the hell was that guy? What was his problem?”

No matter what excuse that man had, Eric wasn’t the type to let someone lay a hand on his family and get away with it.

“I’ve never seen him before,” Hadley said with a small shake of her head after a brief silence. “He must have confused me with someone else.”

“Really?” Eric’s brows knit together as he processed that. Was that really all there was to it?

Something about that man’s behavior didn’t sit right with him. It hadn’t felt like a simple misunderstanding

“Yeah, that’s what happened,” Hadley confirmed with a decisive nod. “I tried explaining, but he wouldn’t listen. Then he started grabbing me…”

Eric let out a low grunt, accepting her explanation. “What a lunatic!”

But if Hadley had no idea who the guy was, that meant Eric had no way of tracking him down.

Eric frowned, realizing too late that he hadn’t pressed for more details when he had the chance.

“You know…” Eric began, still unsettled by everything that had happened, “What would you have done if I hadn’t shown up?”

Hadley turned to him, the question catching her off guard. Uncertainty flickered in her gaze.

“Unbelievable,” Eric muttered, exhaling sharply before shaking his head. “You were in a crowded area. Why didn’t you scream? Someone would’ve helped you!”

It should’ve been the first thing she thought to do, and yet she hadn’t How could she be so careless about her

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< Chapter 46 He Just Got The Wrong Person

own safety?.

Hadley nodded, taking in what he said. “Alright, I’ll keep that in mind next time

Neither of them spoke after that. The conversation faded, leafing the car in allence

Eric sat there, his grip tightening slightly on the steering wheel The urge to ask why she reacted so strongly to being touched weighed on his mind, but for some reason, the words refused to come out

He pulled up near the entrance of West Twelfth Alley and brought the car to a smooth stop

to him with a polite smile. “Appreciate

Eric responded without

adjusting her backpack as she moved in the process, something slipped free and

Eric called after her, picking up

A hamburger.

it, offering a sheepish grin. It’s well–packaged. No smell, I

What?

“You actually think I’d care if

firm nod. Wouldn’t

on the first day she returned, she’d made noodles at his kitchen, and Eric had grumbled about the smell for

hadn’t forgotten either.

had no

“No!”

than conviction. “That was totally different! You’re

and clear,” Hadley said with a nod.

No clue why he’s making such a big deal out of

her bag, and Eric suddenly felt uneasy. “Wait. Don’t tell me that’s all you’re eating

At this hour? And

quickly, shaking her head. “I already had lunch just wanted

slow breath, slightly relieved, but his gaze fell on her backpack It was a flimsy one, the kind one could buy

an old T–shirt and cargo jeans, nothing special about

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it run–down

paid attention before, never looked

she’d been dressing like this ever since she got

being a burden, that she wanted to be independent and live

terms.

it was clear now–she meant

was running through Eric’s mind, Hadley zipped up her backpack, slung

gave him a quick wave. “Alright, I’m going

“Yeah. See you.”

her as she walked off, each step pulling her

couldn’t shake. He didn’t know what to call it, but it lingered, gnawing at him

the time night fell, Srixby was pulsing with its usual

bursting at

grand finale of the dance–off competition.

the club was packed wall–to–wall. Security had to turn people away just to keep the crowd

when it was over,

“S! Dance Queen!”

“S! Dance Queen!”

“S! Dance Queen!”

chants shook the club, the electricity in the air still buzzing as Hadley slipped backstage. Even with the walls between her and

this coming, and watching it unfold exactly as

he hadn’t predicted was that Eric wouldn’t be here

his fingers to his temples. “Tsk. What a

days. That night might’ve just been him talking

blinked, taken aback. “Wait,

evidence. “But what about the flowers? The late–night snacks? He sent all that, didn’t he?” “Sure, but that doesn’t change the fact that he’s nowhere to be seen tonight,” Hadley pointed out, keeping her tone even. “So what

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