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

Chapter 53 Where Is He

Inside the private lounge, Hadley sat opposite the man, who had been watching her in silence from the

moment she arrived. His gaze never wavered, fixated on her as if searching for something.

“Hadley, this is already our third time crossing paths. That day at Kingsbridge–you were there to see your grandmother too, weren’t you? You had a mask on back then…”

Hadley didn’t let him finish. “That’s not why I came.” She kept her tone even but direct. “Let’s not waste time. You said you’d bring the money. Do you have it?”

The man gave a measured nod. “I do.”

His fingers tapped lightly against the table, but he made no effort to reach for it. “I’ll give it to you, but… it’s been years. You disappeared without a word, left the country, cut everyone off. How have you been? And you

and Eric-”

“Don’t.”

Her voice remained controlled, but there was no mistaking the edge behind it.

She met his eyes without hesitation. “Do you really think you should be asking me that?”

“I…” He faltered for a moment before regaining his voice. “Why not? Hadley, I still care about you. You and Eric

”

“Care?”

Hadley let out a short, bitter laugh. “Now you do? After all this time?”

There had been a point in her life when she needed help the most. Where was he then? Words of concern that only surfaced long after the damage had been done were meaningless.

The man sat in silence, his expression tense with something close to regret. “I won’t deny I let you down. But at least tell me this–why do you need that much money? What happened? Is Eric giving you trouble?”

He had seen them together not long ago. Eric had seemed protective, unwilling to let her go.

They hadn’t looked like a couple falling apart, but the fact remained–Hadley had been sent overseas and kept away for four years.

“Hadley, just tell me-”

She had no patience for this.

Hadley took a slow breath, steadying herself. “If I don’t explain, does that mean I’m not getting the money?”

“That’s not what I-”

A sudden, forceful pounding shook the door.

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Bang bang bang

Bang bang, bang

The forceful banging left no doubt that if they refused to open the door, whoever was outside was more than

willing to smash their way in.

“Open up!”

“Open the door!”

know you’re

What’s happening?

had the police

the man across from her. His face had drained of color, his

shot up from his seat, his breathing quick and uneven. Even if they had done nothing wrong, getting caught up in a police matter could easily spiral into something

a scandal.

his family to find

right through him.

for her, but now that things were about to get complicated, his only concern

“Hadley…”

“What’s the problem?”

arched a brow, her voice sharp

could just open the door and explain everything. There’s

hesitation said it

smirk. “Relax, I’m just messing with you. But look at you–already breaking a sweat.” Her amusement faded as she turned toward the balcony. “If

there.”

“Hadley-”

rather stay? Because I’m about to open the door. Once they take you in for questioning, let’s see

but then spun on his heel and bolted toward the balcony without another

He ran

out a

needed

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53 Where Is He

breath, she walked toward the door and pulled

“Hadley!”

barely had time to register what was happening before she was met with Eric’s furious

in his eyes sent

man who had

at the mess you’ve made!”

with anger, and before she could respond, he lifted his hand in a sharp motion. The officers behind him rushed

every inch of the space.

“No one’s here?”

“Just her?”

doesn’t make sense.”

body tense with disbelief. He didn’t trust a single word of it.

and checked for

Eric wheeled around to face Hadley. “The man you were here

brow, her tone laced with amusement. “What man? Mr. Flynn, you really

accusations like that!”

“Hadley!”

waist without warning.

“Ah!”

then lost her balance, stumbling backward onto the

grip was firm, and his towering figure loomed

here with? Where is he?”

lashes quivered slightly.

intensity that

with another

thought she had

shot back, “And what if I have? What does that have to do

tightened. “I’m the one asking the damn question! Yes or no?”