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

Chapter 167 Why Are You

Here

Eric frowned. Hadley had been in the restroom too long. A gnawing unease settled in his chest, pushing him to check on her.

Through the door, her voice was sharp, accusing him of something inappropriate with Linda. Then–without hesitation–she tossed the hair tie he’d given her straight into the trash.

He stood there, waiting, half–expecting her to say something. To acknowledge him.

But Hadley didn’t even spare him a glance. She stepped past him like nothing had happened.

As she moved past, he caught her wrist.

His voice was low, edged with tension. “Pick it up.”

“What?” Hadley let out a quiet laugh. “Why would I pick up something I threw away? It is disgusting.”

“Pick it up!” Eric’s voice cut through the air, sharper this time, his gaze locking onto hers with unyielding intensity. “I said, pick it up.”

“Ouch!”

Hadley flinched as his grip tightened around her wrist. She shot him a glare, yanking against his hold. “I won’t! You can’t make me!”

Her eyes burned–fierce, unwavering.

“Trash belongs where it belongs–in the trash!”

Trash?

Eric’s jaw tightened. Had she really just called the hair tie he gave her trash?

His free hand curled into fist at his side, frustration simmering beneath his skin. “That was a gift from me!”

“Ha.”

Hadley let out a sharp laugh, her sneer cutting. “You think it’s appropriate to give us both the same gift? Does Ernest know? That you gave his wife and me the exact same thing?”

She pointed at the trash can, mockery laced in every word. “I tossed it for your sake. Wouldn’t want Ernest catching on to your shady intentions and ruining his recovery, now would we?”

Eric’s fingers tightened around her wrist. Hard.

Hadley sucked in a sharp breath, her wince barely concealed. It felt like he was moments away from crushing

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the bone.

“Shady intentions?”

something even colder. “Is that what you think

Her voice was steady, deliberate. “It’s not about what I think. If you don’t want Ernest to lose it, you should keep your dirty little

stormed forward, her voice sharp. “Shut up!” Without hesitation, she raised a hand and slapped

won’t let you talk about him

didn’t last long. Her instincts took over -her hand shot

back, clutching her cheek in shock. Her voice wavered with disbelief.

hit me, but I can’t return the favor? Doesn’t work that way.”

not letting this slide!”

seething, Linda

could land a blounged at Hadley. “Ah!”

rip

hair–yanking hard enough that it

hurts! Let go!” Linda shrieked, tears brimming in her eyes.

Hadley’s wrist.

Ernest were still

Hadley didn’t let go. Didn’t even

had no choice but to tighten his grip, prying Hadley’s fingers from Linda’s

second, and then let out a low, bitter laugh. “You two really know how to put on a show.”

“Hadley!”

“What?”

jaw tightened, his usually controlled expression clouded with frustration. His eyes burned with something unreadable–something dangerously

actually think I’m that contemptible?”

Hadley didn’t even blink, her laughter cutting like a blade. “What’s wrong? The truth too much

“Hadley!”

and deliberate. He gripped her chin, tilting her face up until their eyes locked. His gaze was unreadable, but the weight behind it pressed into her like

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had no idea you saw me this way. If that’s how you feel, why did you even say yes

he let go and turned away. Without sparing Linda a glance, he strode

after him, fingers fumbling to fix her disheveled hair.

moment replaying

exhale, she knocked her forehead

purely on impulse.

could she have let the truth slip so easily?

was she supposed

days, Eric didn’t call or text Hadley. The usual flowers he sent to the studio? They stopped

back of her mind–was this it? Was their arrangement over?

clear. But

afford to let this fall

to her, then she’d

wanted to admit. Some fights just weren’t worth it. But that day, frustration had won. She hadn’t been able

WhatsApp and typed, “Are you busy?”

that she

first on stage, wrapping up

out of the studio, it wasn’t even