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

Chapter 142 Fair Competition

Blanche and an elegant lady engaged in lively conversation as they entered, making their way straight to a private dining room, intending to enjoy a quiet meal.

Hadley, keen to avoid causing any disturbance, grabbed the orange juice without understanding the insistence behind it and drank it swiftly.

“Is that enough?” she questioned after finishing the drink.

“Absolutely.” Alita smirked, one eyebrow arching in amusement. “You’re really generous!”

As Alita turned aside, a cunning smile flickered across her face, her eyes twinkling with mischief.

Blanche happened to look their way just as the incident concluded,

The woman accompanying her was Stella, Barrie’s mother.

Stella gestured towards Hadley as she asked, “Isn’t she the one Mr. Flynn asked you to look after?”

“Yes, that’s her.” Blanche confirmed with a smile, her tone implying approval. “She possesses considerable talent. I have no doubt she’ll become a leading figure in this troupe.”

“Really?” Stella expressed her relief and contentment. “That’s excellent news. Now, let’s eat. I’m quite hungry.”

“Let’s go.”

Late into the night…

“Ugh… mm…”

The unsettling sounds abruptly woke Elissa, sending a chill down her spine. She flicked on the light and saw Hadley in a fetal position on the bed, gripping her blanket tightly.

The source of the moaning was unmistakably Hadley.

“Hadley!”

Elissa sprang from her bed and hastened to her friend’s side. “What’s wrong? Are you okay?”

Sweating profusely, Hadley gripped her abdomen and then bolted for the bathroom.

She’d been feeling sick for some time. Unbeknownst to Elissa, Hadley had already made numerous trips to the bathroom before.

Now, all that remained were the relentless cramps wracking her stomach.

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coming in.”

opened the bathroom door and extended

nod, her face flush with embarrassment. “Please, give

to be embarrassed about?” Elissa could tell Hadley was genuinely sick. “You didn’t

brush it off as nothing, but the pain was too sharp.

Elissa’s concern deepened.

got up decisively. “I’ll check with the hotel for some medicine.”

“Thanks so much.”

It happens to everyone.”

Elissa exited

front desk, the receptionist assured her. “We have some basic medications available. I’ll send someone up with them

“Perfect, thanks.”

an eye out for the hotel staff.

door adjacent to Elissa and Hadley’s

the medicine packet. “It’s Hadley. She’s terribly unwell, possibly something she ate. She’s been to the bathroom repeatedly and is in severe pain now, so I secured some

Blanche approached with concern.

be great, thanks.”

who lay feeble in bed, and

taking your medicine,” Blanche said softly. “If there’s no

you so much, Ms. Nicolson.”

stood to leave. “Just focus on getting better. I’ll leave you to rest now.” With that, Blanche exited the room and returned to her own.

invited her to a performance that unfortunately coincided with a typhoon.

walked in with a look of concern, so Stella inquired, “What’s the matter? Is everything alright?” Blanche confirmed, nodding. “Hadley’s not feeling well;

not sure if the

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was that, with the storm raging outside, getting Hadley to a hospital could become a major

offer some reassurance. “Young people tend to bounce back quickly-”

before answering. “Barrie, do you know how late it is to be calling

my

was on the other

a bit of assistance. “Mom, can you look something up in the study for me?

now, son. I’m away from

with Blanche.”

I’ll get in touch with Dad then.”

just as he was about to end the call. “Just so you’re aware, Hadley’s not doing well- she has a stomach upset.

pause. He quickly came to a realization–perhaps that guy “shouldn’t really

I’d mention it. Even if he’s aware, what’s he supposed to do? Fly here to Tidebourne? The roads are all shut. I’m going to hang up now. Better call your dad if you

hung up, his thoughts racing, and then he picked up the

the call was answered, and Eric’s relaxed voice finally came through.

to be straightforward. “Hadley’s