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

Too Late, Mr Billionaire: You Cant Afford Me Now

Chapter 189 Is This How

You Treat Eric

Quentin gave a slight nod. “Regarding that matter…”

Ernest listened in silence, his expression darkening with each passing moment. His brow furrowed, thoughts turning over as Quentin relayed the details..

By the time Quentin finished speaking. Ernest took a deep breath and gave a slow nod. “Understood. It’s late- you should get some rest.”

“Yes, Mr. Flynn.”

As the door closed behind Quentin, Ernest wheeled himself toward the bedroom, his mind still clouded with thought.

Reaching the bedside, he paused, and then slowly pulled open the nightstand drawer. Inside, lay a small, aged box

He took it out, his fingers brushing over its surface before lifting the lid. There it was–the tortoiseshell hairpin His fingers traced over its smooth, polished surface, absentmindedly rubbing the intricate patterns carved into

“Ernest?”

He turned his head just as Linda stepped inside, a cup of warm milk in her hands,

“I thought you were asleep,” she said softly. “I knocked, but you didn’t answer. What are you”

Her voice abruptly cut off.

Her expression shifted the moment she saw what was in his hand!

Ernest tensed. Without thinking, his fingers closed tightly around the hairpin, trying to conceal it from view. But it was already too late.

“What are you hiding?” she asked, her voice laced with suspicion.

Linda’s expression turned ice–cold as she stepped forward, her voice sharp with accusation. “I saw it, Ernest! Don’t bother hiding it.” Her free hand clenched at her side as she glared at him. “Didn’t you say you threw it away? Why is it still here?”

“Calm down,” Ernest said evenly, though his frown deepened. “I haven’t forgotten what I promised you.”

“It doesn’t seem like it!

Linda let out a strained laugh, though there was nothing amused about it. Her voice wavered–on the edge of breaking, teetering between anger and pain.

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“Ernest, I have endured so much for you! I’ve swallowed my pride, made compromises I never thought But that doesn’t mean you can keep testing me like this?”

Before he could react, she lunged at him. “You promised me you’d get rid of it! This thing shouldn’t exis”

Her fingers clawed for his hand, desperate to snatch the tortoiseshell hairpin from his grip

But Ernest was ready for her. Anticipating the move, he swiftly lifted his arm, blocking her with just enough force to stop her. “Calm down, Linda“”

The momentum sent Linda stumbling backward. The cup of steaming milk in her hand slipped, tilting violently

breath caught. He had only meant to stop her–he hadn’t

through him as he wheeled forward, reaching out toward her. “Are you alright? Let me

floor, her gaze unfocused, staring

a hollow laugh escaped her lips–soft,

cracked. “How could you do this to me?”

arm. Without sparing him another glance, she turned

“Linda!”

pushed his wheelchair forward, trying to go after her but how could he possibly catch up? Frustration clawed at him. With a sharp breath, he

night, Srixby was coated in a thin veil of sleet, the air damp and heavy

They had settled into a comfortable routine–after dinner, Hadley connected her phone to the TV, picking

stirred within Eric. He shifted closer, pressing warm, lingering kisses from the crown of her head downward.

murmured against her skin, his voice low and coaxing “How about tonight? It’s

she could even

The doorbell rang

back a smile “Guess

“That’s definitely for you Go see who it

her warmth and

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189 Is This How You

could it be at this hour?

strode toward the door and swung it open..

“Linda? What-”

say another word, Linda rushed inside. Her eyes were

second she saw Eric, her composure crumbled entirely–tears streamed

two firm steps forward and collapsed into his arms.

up instinctively, his entire body turning rigid

confused. His mind scrambled

cool, composed voice cut through the

her long hair cascading over one shoulder, a slow, knowing smirk playing at her

sweat prickled

hands, as if to say he had no idea what was going

tilted her head slightly, amusement flickering in her

was soft, mocking. She deliberately lowered her voice, drawing out the words. “Should I give you two some

She finally lifted

blurted, clearly caught off guard. “What are you doing here?”

an eyebrow, her smile deepening, “Why wouldn’t I

his voice firm. “Hadley is

together. “I know.”

to Hadley, realizing they were living under the same roof–it was something else entirely. Were they

out a quiet, icy laugh, her gaze flickering toward Eric with an unreadable expression. “So, your darling seems to think I don’t

she turned and pointed toward the staircase.

then.”

second later, she paused, reconsidering “Actually no. I

now. What was she

of understanding, Hadley spun on her heel and

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is This How You

panic lacing his voice. “Don’t be like