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

Chapter 61 Shameless

Woman

What?

Eric’s anger burned hotter, his eyes flashing as he tried to process Hadley’s defiance.

She actually thought he was overstepping? It was absurd. People always come to him for help. No one had ever

dared speak to him this way before.

“Hadley, you-”

“Go!” Hadley snapped, cutting him off, her voice laced with frustration.

She had no time for this. The ring. The one Eric had carelessly tossed away, a symbol of Duran’s promise. She

had to find it, and fast.

Without another word, Hadley spun around and ran toward the spot where Eric had thrown the ring. Under the dim streetlights, she crouched low to the ground, her fingers trembling as she searched the pavement,

determined to find it no matter what.

The alley was dim, the faint glow of the streetlights doing little to illuminate the cracked pavement. Hadley’s hands shook as she searched the ground, the darkness swallowing up every inch she covered.

Frantic, she yanked out her phone, flicking on the flashlight. The beam cut through the black, but it only highlighted how small and insignificant the ring seemed in the vast emptiness of the alley. How could she even

find it?

A quiet, desperate whisper slipped from her lips. “Please, please…”

She didn’t know who she was asking, but she needed to find it. She had to.

What if Duran found out? What if he knew she’d lost his gift the moment she turned her back? The thought clenched her chest. She couldn’t let that happen.

Across the street, Eric watched, his eyes narrowing as he observed Hadley kneeling in the dim light. His chest burned, a cold, simmering anger building inside him, spreading like wildfire, choking everything else

Did she really care that much about that ring from Duran?

“Hadley!”

Eric stormed over, his grip tight on her shoulder, yanking her back with a force that made her stagger. “Stop looking! Do you hear me?”

“Let go!”

Hadley whipped her head up, her face flushed with anger and frustration. Her eyes were red, the weight of

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everything crashing down on her. “Eric, don’t push me… I’m starting to hate you more every day!”

She just said she hated him.

The words hit Eric like a slap.

He froze, his chest tightening. “You hate me?”

“Yes!” Hadley snapped, her voice cracking with raw emotion. “When I was younger, I couldn’t leave you alone. That was my mistake! I’ve already paid the price for being so foolish. Please, Eric, just let me go.”

Eric let out a bitter laugh, disbelief flashing across his face.

“Unbelievable,” he muttered, his gaze cold and cutting.

do whatever you want.”

and turned on his heel, his expression hard

and chasing after that old

damn fool if I let myself get

at him, forcing him to glance back. There she was-

scouring the ground under the dim light, determined but helpless.

the diamond ring from his pocket, his fingers

edges.

cruel smile tugged

never find it,” he thought, the words echoing in his mind like

metal digging into his palm until it

another look, Eric spun on his heel, yanked out his phone,

Flynn,” Phillips‘ voice came through,

voice was cold and precise as he gave his order. “Leak Duran’s

his tone businesslike.

Duran was divorced, but the man also had a son and a daughter, both adults.

would be

hadn’t found the

worry gnawed at her. She couldn’t stop thinking about what Duran might say when they met again and she didn’t have the ring on her finger–how would she explain losing

show up at Galant, nor did he ask Hadley out. Their conversations remained confined to the phone, keeping a small but crucial

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ess woman

distance between them.

matter of time before they’d have to face each

showed up at

Eric entered, Lennon was notified and rushed

Flynn, it’s been a while! What brings you here tonight?” Lennon

eyes were anything but warm. “What, do

now?”

“Of course not. I’m

“Great.”

slight nod, and then, almost casually, he

heart sank. So Eric was still fixated on Hadley… This was bad news. Hadley was already involved with Duran, for the

does,” Lennon said, his voice

quickly, his mind racing. He feared Eric would demand to see Hadley right then and there. What was

Eric just waved him off. “Alright,

muttered, relief flooding him as he

his brow. What was Eric up to? He asked about Hadley and then just dropped it? So

still interested in her or

of Eric’s intentions. Shaking his head, he walked away, still

room. “Eric’s here. He’s in his

frown

again? What was

of frustration and concern in his voice. “I don’t

be careful.”

“Got it.”

gave a small nod and stood up, the weight of the situation pressing down on her. It was

go on stage.

Everything seemed normal.

through her set with ease. It all went smoothly, until she finished and made her way back to the dressing room, wiping

Eric was here for business.

used to frequent

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removing her makeup, she slipped into the dressing room to change. But even from inside the dressing room, she could hear raised

it be Eric?

that cut through the air was sharp,

and

through! I’m going to tear that little vixen apart today!” A woman’s

high–pitched, nearly unbearable.

go in there!” someone