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

Chapter 101 Let Me Help

The elevator ascended to the top floor, where the receptionist escorted Hadley out and then promptly departed.

Hadley then proceeded alone towards the CEO’s office.

Upon entering, she found Eric engrossed in his work.

“There you are.” Eric glanced up briefly. “Just a moment. I’m nearly done. Please, take a seat.”

“Sure.”

Settling onto the sofa, Hadley’s eyes inadvertently fell on a brown paper bag resting on the coffee table, strikingly similar to one she’d seen earlier with Linda.

Could this be the same?

“Do you recognize the scent?” Eric, having completed his tasks, approached and gestured towards the bag.

“Feel free to open it.”

With a slight frown, Hadley hesitated, making no move towards the bag.

Eric anticipated her reaction. “Worried I might be trying something? Don’t be. It’s a treat you’ll enjoy.”

When he opened the paper bag for her, the sweet, tangy scent of candied hawthorns wafted through the room.

Sure enough, it was the same treat Linda had shown earlier.

“Don’t just look,” Eric said, offering her the bag. “Have one. They used to be a favorite of yours.”

Hadley’s expression shifted as she tried to recall. Had she really enjoyed candied hawthorns in his presence

before?

Reading her hesitation, Eric continued, “You’ve always had a thing for sweet and sour treats, right? These are just the right mix. I thought of you when I saw them, so I got them just for you.”

For her? Really?

Silence fell over Hadley as she processed his words.

Deep inside, Hadley suspected these weren’t really for her.

She had seen Linda with the very same treats just earlier. Without that encounter, maybe she would have believed Eric’s words that these were for her. After all, she knew Eric himself had never cared for sweet–and-

sour snacks.

So, those were for Linda. He really went out of his way for her, didn’t he?

Even with something as small as a snack, he made sure she had it.

“Why aren’t you eating?” Eric asked after a while, noticing she hadn’t yet taken any.

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Let Me Help

them later,” Hadley replied, taking the bag from him and placing it on the table. She felt a slight tremor in her

right,” Eric said, smacking his forehead as if just recalling the reason. “That’s why

her to follow. “Let’s go; I have something to show you.”

jacket and grabbed his car keys, “I’ll explain on the way. Also-” With a nod toward the bag on the table, he added, “Take those with

“Alright.”

underground parking, they made their way to Eric’s car. He ignited the engine and navigated onto

said, his eyes meeting hers in the rearview mirror with a measured look. “We’re headed to the

up. I

of surprise–a partial performance, as the shock wasn’t entirely

the reality hit hard, and tears welled

is awake?” she asked,

steering wheel. “He woke up a few days ago. I didn’t inform you immediately since

in her lap, moisture

smile crossed her face. Ernest had always been like an actual brother to her, his presence comforting

and constant.

after such a lengthy coma, he was awake again. At long last, it

“That’s truly incredible.”

fingers quivered

“There’s no need for nerves… Ernest isn’t aware of the baby yet. We’ve decided not to tell him for

might overwhelm Ernest too soon after his recovery.

was oblivious to Linda’s pregnancy when he had that accident and

now, they chose to keep everything from

right–they would finally tell him the truth.

knew the rationale behind the

Eric seemed concerned. Was he worried

Absolutely not.

surrounding Linda’s accident years ago were shrouded in unspoken

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Ernest was central to uncovering

again, would the full story finally

shaking of Hadley’s

6.

the

of the whirlwind of thoughts in her

“There’s no need to worry. Even if Ernest learns the truth, the hardships you’ve faced have already compensated

her

chuckle escaped Hadley silently; her eyes held a steely resolve.

a part of

had transformed her from a helpless girl into someone forged

evidence, she remained unjustly