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.

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 something.”

if it was indeed Elissa–what did

the door

Phillips bent down, scooping up the last

Holland?” He extended the item toward her. “The roads are

into a small, grateful smile.

for your

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

quickly shook her head. “That won’t be necessary! I can

bent down, picking up a small box

alright? This medicine… are you running a

I’m a little under the weather,” she said

quickly grabbed the box and shoved it into her already torn bag. “But I’ll be fine. Thanks for this–I

a reply, she clutched her things

Flynn, Elissa didn’t seem

fever patches… Strange, don’t you

spare him

and pulled away from the curb.

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Maybe A Friend Took

Phillips wasn’t done thinking about it.

later, he glanced out the window–then abruptly stiffened. “Wait a second… isn’t that Elissa?” Phillips frowned. “She’s walking in the wrong direction,” he muttered. “If she was heading home, she’d be taking

eyes snapped open.

unsure. “Uh–Mr. Flynn, should I just… stop talking?”

bother replying to him, he simply gave instructions. “Sebastian, follow

“Yes, sir.”

completely thrown off. Follow Elissa? Why? Why did Eric suddenly

Eric didn’t fully understand it. He just knew that if they followed Elissa–They might really find Hadley.

car changed course, Eric bowed his head slightly, clenching

a bus, eventually stepping off near Mayfield Road.

without hesitation, she made a turn and

closely, brows furrowed.

Calm. Absolute. “We

phone buzzed in

It was Ernest.

voice was low, steady–but charged with something beneath the surface. “I’m at Millland

curt words before the line went

other end, Ernest set his phone down, his expression unreadable. Then, without

are

he barely glanced back. “There’s news about Hadley. I’m heading to Millland Road.”

he added firmly, “Just stay here with

Joy,

You need to get your shot,” she murmured, tucking a stray curl behind Joy’s ear. “If you don’t, you’ll get sick, and… Mommy will be

in resistance, suddenly perked up at the

is now?” she asked sweetly.

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Maybe A Friend

a small smile. “When Mommy gets sick, doesn’t Joy

answered without hesitation.

still for a moment, her tiny fists clenched, clearly torn between fear