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

Chapter 119 Keep Her At Arm’s Length

Linda chose not to delve into the recent events that had unfolded. Instead, she kept the conversation light, as

was her custom.

“Sorry I arrived a bit later than usual today. The chill in the air has settled in. Just stepping from the car made my cheeks feel the bite of the cold. Here, feel it. Isn’t it brisk?”

She gently pressed her cheek against Ernest’s palm as she spoke.

Ernest’s brow furrowed slightly, and a tremor ran through his fingers as he lowered his hand, attempting to

pull away.

Linda’s heart raced.

Was he intentionally distancing himself from her?

Maintaining her composure, she replied with warmth, “Is your arm weary? I apologize for making you hold it

up.”

Ernest opened his mouth, but only a raspy, muffled sound came forth.

Linda instantly grasped his need. After caring for him for so long, she recognized his signals like an old friend.

“You need to use the restroom, right? Just a moment…”

She started toward the bathroom to get his bedpan.

But Ernest tugged at her shirt, shaking his head slowly, his brow knitted in concern.

She understood his gesture, yet confusion washed over her.

“Ernest, I’m your fiancee. We might as well be married, wedding or not. Let me assist you, please.”

Still, he shook his head, his forehead creased in refusal.

With a hand pressed to her temple, she felt a wave of resignation. “Alright, I’ll call the caregiver.”

Ernest had a duo of caregivers, one male and one female.

As Linda stood up, a pang of unease fluttered in her chest.

She really didn’t get it.

What was happening with Ernest? Ever since he regained consciousness, he had been keeping her at arm’s length.

He permitted her to wipe his face and help him sip water, but when it came to using the bathroom or a full-

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Keep Her At Arm’s Length

clean, he insisted on the

Why?

so

to witness him at his most vulnerable. Linda clung to that thought

comfort.

needs, she felt

the script, recording her interpretations

with care.

stack of

here you are.”

it, visibly taken aback.

twinge of self–consciousness. “I’ve never tackled anything like this before, so I

is the first step toward success. I’ll review it and get back to

“Okay.”

Adonis

director, he still had to answer to the producer and the investor. The former held overall authority, while the latter provided the funds. Together, they

real power.

into the fold came with its own set of

the filming, Elvin

to join us for dinner tomorrow

for specifics, Elvin winked conspiratorially.

our radar for this new project. Don’t sweat it when you meet the producer and the investors.

it was a dinner with the

couldn’t quite put her

nodded. “Understood.”

knowing she was about to meet the heavyweights, Hadley

punctually at the venue to find him.

13:40

O

Elvin waved her over. “Come on, Mr. Faulkner is already

“Alright.”

the elevator, Elvin let out a deep sigh, a shadow of concern crossing his

Hadley asked, puzzled. “What’s bothering

furrowed. “Once we get upstairs, no matter what happens, try to keep your cool.”

kind of advice was

began to race. What could

the thing,” Elvin continued, his voice tense. “I just found out that our

She hadn’t officially stepped into the entertainment arena yet. So who

well…” Elvin continued, gritting his teeth, “he has a notorious

Hadley’s eyes widened. Was that really just

get to you.” Elvin caught her alarm. “With a crowd around, he won’t dare cross the line. Plus, he’s not one of

role envisioned for Hadley

a greenhorn, without any acting chops, so he couldn’t risk featuring her too much.

in the industry, the producer and backers would at least show some semblance