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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101 Let

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

just recalling the reason. “That’s why I brought you here.”

“Let’s go; I

suit jacket and grabbed his car keys, “I’ll explain on the way. Also-” With a nod toward

“Alright.”

the underground parking, they made their way to Eric’s

eyes meeting hers in the rearview mirror with a measured

I want

shifted to one of surprise–a partial performance, as the shock wasn’t

hard, and tears welled up in her

is awake?” she asked, voice

steering wheel. “He woke up a few days

her hands clenched in her lap, moisture forming on

been like an actual brother to

and constant.

lengthy coma, he was awake again. At long last, it seemed fate was granting them a

“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

family had concerns that the news might overwhelm Ernest too soon after his recovery.

Linda’s pregnancy when he had that accident and went

they chose to keep everything from him.

felt right–they would finally tell him the

the

concerned. Was he worried she’d fear Ernest finding

Absolutely not.

the circumstances surrounding Linda’s accident years ago were shrouded

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also believed Ernest was central to uncovering those truths.

that he was conscious again, would the full story finally emerge?

the shaking of

6.

Eric in disposition, possessing a level–headedness and fairness unmatched within the

the whirlwind of thoughts in

to worry. Even if Ernest learns the truth, the hardships you’ve faced have already

was referring to her

held a steely resolve. “Don’t worry. I’m not

was no longer a part of

four years had transformed her from a helpless girl into someone forged

concrete evidence, she remained unjustly