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

Chapter 151 Why Couldn’t

He Try And Win Her Over

Hospital

Eric’s eyes flew open, and he bolted upright.

“Ugh–damn it!”

A sharp, searing pain tore through his chest, forcing him to clutch his ribs while pressing a hand to his throbbing head.

“Mr. Flynn!”

Phillips, who had been keeping vigil at his bedside, sprang to his feet, his face lighting up with relief. “You’re awake! That’s a damn good sign! The doctor said the sooner you wake up, the better your chances.”

He waved a couple of fingers in front of Eric’s face. “How many fingers, boss?”

“Tsk!” Irritated, Eric batted his hand away. “Do I look brain–dead to you?”

Phillips chuckled. “Just covering the bases. You took a nasty hit to the head–a concussion, they said. Gotta make sure everything’s still working upstairs.‘

Eric smirked despite himself. “Please. Even if someone’s brain got scrambled, it sure as hell wouldn’t be mine.” His body told a different story. Bandages wrapped around his shoulders, arms, and head–a testament to the explosion that had thrown him off his feet. He looked worse than he actually was, but the pain reminded him that the injuries weren’t just for show.

He took a steadying breath and cut straight to what mattered. “Where’s Hadley?”

“She was brought in too, but-”

“Good.” Without another word, Eric shoved the covers aside, ready to get up.

“Whoa, whoa! Mr. Flynn–hold on!”

Phillips blocked his path, both hands raised in alarm.

“Let me finish! Hadley’s fine. They checked her out, and she was discharged already. But you, sir, are the one who’s actually injured.”

He gestured at Eric’s right hand. “And you still have an IV in, so maybe—just maybe you should con staying put for now.”

Eric’s gaze flicked to the IV drip. With an exasperated sigh, he leaned back against the pillows.

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Chapter 151 Why Couldn’t He Try And Win Her Över

As the first light of dawn crept into the hospital room, Eric stirred awake.

His body ached from the restless night, and though the IV had finished hours ago, sleep had been elusive.

He had thought about checking on Hadley, but waking her in the middle of the night felt unnecessary.

Pushing himself upright, he decided now was time to move. He shed the stiff hospital gown, replacing it with his own clothes. Glancing toward the sofa, he found Phillips sprawled out, dead to the world. Eric smirked slightly before silently slipping out of the room.

Meanwhile…

A persistent vibration dragged Hadley from sleep. Groggy, she groped under her pillow for her phone and squinted at the screen.

With a sigh, she answered. “Hello, Denver?”

So early…

She already knew why he was calling.

The bomb in the theater last night? There was no way he hadn’t seen the news, even though he was in

Prineville.

God! You picked

excitement made her chest tighten. She could picture him pacing, hair disheveled, struggling to keep his

emotions in check.

seized her phone, leaving her unable to receive

her and she tried calling

hesitated. “I guess you saw the news?”

the moment, Hadley was alone in the hotel room. Elissa remained in the hospital, still recovering

injuries.

must have been out of your mind with worry all night, huh? I tried calling

but-”

both relief and frustration. “I saw everything. I was mid–flight when it all happened—couldn’t answer even

Mid–flight?

breath hitched, her heart stuttering in her chest as warmth

“Wait… Denver,

caught in her throat. Had he really flown all

with exhaustion and unmistakable relief. “I’m almost at your

-five minutes out.”

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Try And Win Her

came straight from the

her mouth, a sharp breath escaping

Prinville to Blathe. The moment Denver saw the news and couldn’t reach her, he had dropped everything and boarded

was what it felt like–to matter

Blathe with Joy, she had felt

care even if she

crossed cities

find someone like

only ever been one.

the call, she bolted downstairs.

entrance, she scanned the street, her heart hammering. Then, a

there he

“Hadley!”

hitched.

strode toward her, dragging his suitcase behind him, eyes locked onto hers.

first thing she noticed was the exhaustion etched into Denver’s face–deep shadows under his eyes, the kind only a sleepless

small, weary chuckle

you. My mind kept running in circles, imagining the worst…”

exhaled, and then met her gaze, his expression

I… can

he was already reaching for her, arms opening as

stiffened at first, caught off guard. Her body tensed, unprepared for the

“It’s such a relief to see you standing here, safe and sound… I can’t tell you how good it feels

in his voice–something raw, almost desperate–made Hadley’s

her head up and

away, inside a car parked nearby,

came all the way here?

slightly. Wasn’t the guy in Prineville? How had he managed to get here so fast? He sure was

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needs,