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

Eric yanked his hand away from her and turned on his heel,

chasing after that old

damn fool if I let myself get involved again!”

at him, forcing him

scouring the ground under the dim

the diamond ring from his pocket, his fingers curling

edges.

tugged

words echoing in his mind like a

ring tightened, the metal digging

spun on his heel, yanked out his phone, and dialed a

Flynn,” Phillips‘ voice came through, crisp and

he gave his order. “Leak Duran’s

Phillips responded, his tone businesslike.

that Duran was divorced, but the man also had a son and a

would be perfect.

hadn’t found

couldn’t stop thinking about what Duran might say when they met again and she

He didn’t show up at Galant, nor did he ask Hadley out. Their

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ess woman

distance between them.

was only a matter of time before they’d have to

showed up at Galant

soon as Eric entered, Lennon was notified and rushed

here tonight?” Lennon

though his eyes were anything but warm. “What, do I need to explain myself to you

now?”

froze for a moment before awkwardly chuckling. “Of course not. I’m just glad to

“Great.”

nod, and then, almost casually, he asked, “Does

Hadley… This was bad news. Hadley was already involved

said, his voice

demand to see Hadley right then and there. What was he

just waved him off. “Alright, you

Lennon muttered, relief flooding him as he turned to

brow. What was Eric up to? He asked about

interested in her or

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

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

froze, a frown tugging

was here again? What was he after

in his voice. “I don’t know what

be careful.”

“Got it.”

and stood up, the weight of the situation

go on stage.

Everything seemed normal.

until she finished and made her way back

Eric was here for business.

used to

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

be

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

and then she pushed open the door to step

that little vixen apart

was high–pitched, nearly unbearable.

can’t go in there!” someone yelled.