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.

Fine, do whatever you

one swift motion, Eric yanked his hand away from her and turned on his heel, his expression hard as stone, anger

so set on degrading herself and chasing after that old man, then so be it.

a damn fool if I

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

the ground under the dim

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

edges.

cruel smile tugged at his

find it,” he thought, the words echoing in

ring tightened, the metal digging into his palm until

look, Eric spun on his heel, yanked out

voice came through, crisp and professional.

his order. “Leak Duran’s little

responded, his

well aware that Duran was divorced, but the man also had a son and a daughter, both

be

hadn’t found

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

the next few days. He didn’t show up at Galant, nor did he ask

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ess woman

distance between them.

time before they’d have

at Galant again one evening.

entered, Lennon was notified and rushed to greet

while! What brings you here tonight?”

his eyes were anything but warm.

now?”

before awkwardly chuckling. “Of course not. I’m just glad to see you.”

“Great.”

casually,

bad news. Hadley was already involved

Lennon said, his voice tight.

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

Eric just waved him off.

flooding him as he turned to leave.

sweat from his brow. What was Eric up to? He asked about Hadley and

interested in her or

couldn’t make sense of Eric’s intentions. Shaking

slipped into the dressing room. “Eric’s here. He’s

a frown tugging

again? What was he

of frustration and concern in his voice. “I don’t know what he’s

be careful.”

“Got it.”

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

go on stage.

Everything seemed normal.

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

figured Eric was here for business.

all, he used to

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makeup, she slipped into the dressing room to change. But even from inside the dressing room, she could hear raised voices. It sounded like

it be Eric?

cut through the air

change, her fingers moving faster than usual, and then

I’m going to tear that little

was high–pitched,

can’t go in there!” someone yelled.