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

Chapter 51 You Are Not

Allowed To Smile At Them

“Alright,” the grocery store owner responded, giving a quick nod without a second thought.

Hadley, meanwhile, stood frozen, completely thrown off by what had just happened.

Eric turned on her abruptly, his gaze sharp and impatient. “Why are you just standing there? Pay for the flour already!”

“Huh? Oh–okay,” Hadley stammered as she fumbled to find her wallet. “Just a second.”

Eric’s gaze darkened as he caught the store owner sneaking glances at Hadley. Was she really this oblivious? How could she not pick up on it? Wasn’t it obvious to her what was going on?

“What’s taking so long?”

His voice cut through the moment, growing harsher. Something as simple as finding her wallet shouldn’t be dragging on.

“There,” Hadley said, handing over the cash. “All set.”

“No, it’s nothing…” The owner’s gaze flickered toward Eric, hesitating “Hadley, he, uh, he is…”

“Shouldn’t you be on your way?” Eric interjected, his cold, piercing stare cutting through the tension like a blade.

The owner tensed, his resolve crumbling in an instant. He knew better than to press further. “Ah, well… Hadley, I’ll get going then…”

“Alright, take care.”

Hadley gave him an awkward little wave.

“What are you staring at?”

Eric’s patience snapped, his voice edged with irritation. What was so fascinating?

And that lollipop in Hadley’s mouth had been driving him up the wall.

Before she could react, Eric reached over, plucked it from her lips, and tossed it straight into the roadside gutter.

Hadley stared at him, stunned. “What is wrong with you?”

“Why are you yelling?”

Eric had tolerated enough. Some random man handed her candy, and she just ate it without a second thought?

0.0%

0:

13.52

<

Now that it was gone, at least he felt a sense of relief.

His eyes locked onto Hadley’s. “Cheap candy. I bet it tastes just as cheap. You’re not allowed to eat stuff like

that.”

What? Hadley couldn’t find the words to respond.

Did she ever ask him to try it? And what did how the candy tasted have to do with him?

Watching her fume in frustration only soured Eric’s mood further. “Who was that guy? What’s he to you? Are you seriously upset just because I threw out the lollipop he gave you?”

even talking about?” Hadley blinked, baffled. “He owns the grocery store nearby I buy things

candy, and you tossed it like it was nothing. Am I supposed

for that?”

is to it?” Eric’s eyes narrowed as he pressed for

Hadley shot back, still not following where he was going with

Alright..

just some guy nursing

hoisting a box with ease. “Quit standing around. Come give me

a hand.”

“Alright.”

thoughts lingering. Since when had

boxes in his arms and motioned toward her. “Stack the flour on top. You’re carrying those two bags of

after speaking, he figured his tone might have come off a little too sharp.

that?” he

“I can.”

a firm nod and followed his instructions.

“Are you sure that’s

remember, she had never once seen Eric do any kind of

call this

a mocking scoff as he strode ahead without slowing down. “Move it.

posture radiated irritation.

she thought. No one forced him to help, yet he went out of his way

a sigh, she grabbed the fruit bags and hurried after him.

she had to admit that much. He

21.0%

13:52

|||

Chapter 51 You Are Not Allowed

the fifth floor

“Open the door.”

“Yeah, yeah.”

lock until the door finally swung open. Eric walked in and dropped the boxes onto the floor

on his face.

a slight pang

Eric didn’t

“What?”

“A towel.”

expect me to wipe my

grab one!”

into the bathroom, grabbed a fresh towel, and handed it over. “Here.

darkened as he shot

blinked in confusion. What now? What had

clearly irritated. “You seriously expect me to wipe

them off. “Take a good look. They’re covered in dust from carrying your stuff.

hesitated before mumbling, “Do you want me to do

regretted them. No one annoyed Eric

“Or maybe-”

cut her off, impatience flashing in his eyes. “Just get it over with. This place is

an elevator.”

beat, but Eric wasn’t having it. “What are you

Hadley gave a small

Without the extra height from her heels, Hadley barely reached Eric’s shoulders, making the difference in their heights even more noticeable against

of that, too. When Hadley stretched onto her toes, he exhaled sharply

even

“I can.”

48.2%

13:52

<