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

hand away from her and turned on his

herself and chasing after that old man, then so be

mind roared, “I’d be a damn fool if I

corner of the alley, something tugged at him, forcing him to glance back. There she was-

under the dim light,

wrist, Eric pulled the diamond ring from his pocket, his fingers curling around its

edges.

cruel smile tugged at

thought, the words echoing in his mind like a

on the tiny ring tightened, the metal digging into his palm

yanked out his phone, and dialed a

Phillips‘ voice came through, crisp and professional.

and precise as he gave his order.

his

was divorced, but the man also had a son and

would be

found

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 something so precious that he’d just given

other matters over the next few days. He didn’t 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.

a matter of time before they’d have to face each

up at Galant

entered, Lennon was notified and rushed

been a while! What brings you here tonight?” Lennon asked, his voice cheery

anything but warm. “What, do I need to explain myself to you

now?”

froze for a moment before awkwardly chuckling. “Of

“Great.”

gave a slight nod, and then, almost casually, he asked,

on Hadley… This was bad news. Hadley

she does,” Lennon said, his voice tight.

mind racing. He feared Eric would demand to see Hadley right then

waved him off. “Alright, you can

muttered, relief flooding him

Eric up to? He asked about

still interested in

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

the dressing room. “Eric’s here. He’s in his usual spot.”

frown tugging

again? What was he

and concern in his voice. “I don’t

be careful.”

“Got it.”

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

go on stage.

Everything seemed normal.

moving through her set with ease. It all went smoothly, until she finished and made her

Eric was here for business.

to

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makeup, she slipped into the dressing room to change. But even from inside the dressing room, she

it be

it wasn’t him. The voice that cut through the air was sharp, unmistakably

moving faster than usual, and then she pushed open the door to step

that little

was high–pitched,

in there!”