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

Chapter 180 Maybe A Friend Took Her In

Eric’s brow furrowed, his jaw tight as he stood in silence for a moment.

“I’m simply saying that this cannot happen again.” Turning sharply on his heel, he shouted, “Phillips, let’s go.”

“Y–Yes!”

Phillips didn’t dare hesitate, falling into step behind him without another word.

Linda remained rooted to the spot, expression blank, complexion pale.

What was happening? Ernest had changed. And now, Eric too. Ever since Hadley returned… everything started to become a mess.

The moment Eric stepped outside, his gaze darkened–that silver–gray car was still there. Phillips cleared his throat. “Mr. Moran has been following us. He hasn’t left, not even once.”

Like a ghost that refused to fade.

Eric’s jaw clenched. He didn’t have the time or the patience to deal with this right now.

Without another thought, he ducked into the car, and as they pulled away, the silver–gray vehicle followed once again.

By the time they reached Flynn Group, a mountain of work awaited Eric.

He forced himself to focus, burying his exhaustion beneath a relentless stream of documents, reports, and decisions.

Most of the work was finally done by evening, but as for the usual business socializing? He didn’t have the energy for it. Didn’t have the patience, either.

Descending to the garage, Eric slipped into the car, his movements stiff with fatigue. As they pulled onto the road, he exhaled sharply, his voice breaking the heavy silence.

“Still no news?”

Phillips hesitated. Just for a moment. Then–a quiet, weighted answer. “No.”

With a deep sigh, Eric shut his eyes, leaned back, and yanked the knot loose. Of course. He hadn’t expected anything else.

If there had been any updates, Phillips would have said something by now.

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< Chapter 180 Maybe A Friend Took Her In

Still, he hesitated for a moment before mustering the courage to speak. “Mr. Flynn, maybe no news is good news,” he said, carefully choosing his words. “Hadley might have friends we don’t know about–someone who’s

taken her in…”

Before he could finish, the car jerked to a sudden stop.

Phillips whipped around, his brows furrowing. “Sebastian! You’ve been driving for years–what the hell was that?”

Sebastian let out a sheepish chuckle. “Just an accident. Sorry.”

He gestured ahead. “Look–some woman just walked straight into the road. How was I supposed to predict that?”

Phillips glanced forward.

a young woman crouched on the icy pavement, gathering scattered belongings from the slick road. Phillips squinted, his memory clicking into place. “Mr. Flynn, isn’t she from Hadley’s dance troupe? I think her name’s Elissa or

was indeed Elissa–what did it matter to

before pushing the door open. “I’ll go help

Phillips bent down, scooping up the last of her things.

the item toward her. “The roads are dangerous in this weather–be careful.”

curled into a small,

you for

bag is ripped.” His tone turned lighter. “Are you heading home? We can

her face before she quickly shook her head. “That won’t be necessary! I can walk from here. Besides, I

bent down, picking up a small box from the ground and

Holland, are you alright? This medicine…

a little under the weather,” she said lightly.

grabbed the box and shoved it into her already torn bag.

waiting for a reply, she clutched her things and hurried off, disappearing into the snowy street.

in the car, Phillips turned to Eric. “Mr. Flynn, Elissa didn’t seem

Strange, don’t you think?”

spare him

and pulled away from the curb.

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Friend Took

wasn’t done

the wrong direction,”

eyes snapped

“Uh–Mr. Flynn, should I just…

bother replying to him, he simply

“Yes, sir.”

thrown off. Follow Elissa? Why? Why

fully understand it. He just knew that if

changed course, Eric bowed

was being followed, Elissa hopped on a bus, eventually

without hesitation, she made a turn and headed into Millland

furrowed. “Mr. Flynn,

voice was steady. Calm. Absolute. “We go

then, his phone buzzed in

It was Ernest.

steady–but charged with something beneath the surface. “I’m at Millland Road.

two brothers exchanged only a few curt words

phone down, his expression unreadable. Then, without hesitation, he

are you going?”

he barely glanced back. “There’s news about Hadley. I’m

firmly, “Just stay here with Grandma. Quentin will come with me.”

Hadley cradled Joy, her voice

stray curl behind Joy’s ear. “If you don’t, you’ll get sick, and… Mommy will be really worried.”

been pouting in resistance, suddenly

now?” she

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Friend

smile. “When

do,” Joy answered

a moment, her tiny fists clenched, clearly torn between fear and bravery.