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

Chapter 191 Maybe Try A Little Harder To Hide It

Eric lowered his gaze slightly, giving a small nod. “Alright. What is it you want to say?”

Linda’s lips pressed together before she spoke, her voice laced with quiet frustration. “Aren’t you even going to ask how I got hurt?”

That question….

Without answering right away, he reached for the medical kit, closing it carefully before exhaling. “I may not know the details, but I don’t believe Ernest would have done it on purpose.”

Linda’s fingers curled slightly, her smile turning wry.

“No, he didn’t.” Her voice softened, tinged with something almost fragile. “But sometimes, the worst wounds don’t come from deliberate cruelty… They come from carelessness.”

Eric had no immediate response.

Some things–especially emotions–were too personal for outsiders to untangle. Even well–meaning interference often backfired and made things worse.

*Eric.”

Her voice carried an odd weight now, something deeper than before. “If–and I mean if–Ernest truly betrayed me… would you help me?”

“What are you talking about? He won’t hurt you like that!” Eric’s chest tightened slightly. He didn’t want to entertain that thought.

I’m asking you–what if!”

Linda’s insistence sharpened, her eyes growing red as she pressed on. “Eric, you once promised me–you said. you’d always be good to me, that you’d help me no matter what. Did you mean it?”

Eric frowned, his expression unreadable as he let the weight of her words settle.

Finally, he spoke, his tone measured but firm. “If that day ever comes… I won’t turn a blind eye. I won’t abandon you

That was all he could give her

With that, he picked up the medical kit and stood. “You can sleep in the guest room downstairs tonight. I’ll bring you a change of clothes”

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Maybe Try A Little Harder To

the only light came

already in bed, her breathing slow and steady, but he wasn’t convinced she

walk–in closet, retrieved a set of clothes, and returned to sit at the edge of the

spoke softly, not wanting to startle her. “Hey.”

slight flutter of her eyelashes gave her away.

staying in the guest room downstairs tonight. I took a

with amusement and mild irritation. “I was just about to fall asleep,

her hand, feeling the slight tension in

your clothes,” he said gently. “I figured I should ask you.”

let out a soft, lazy laugh

that, Eric. Everything here is yours, not mine. You make the decisions, not me. Didn’t you already decide to

darkened slightly as he lowered his voice. “It’s late, she was upset, and she refused to go home. If she

of him, indeed!

bother arguing. It

“The situation was urgent–I didn’t have time to ask you. That was my mistake…” He paused, studying her expression carefully. “I’ll be more mindful next time.”

could tell she wasn’t exactly thrilled after everything that had happened tonight.

at the neatly folded set in his hands. “I noticed you hadn’t even removed the tags, so I

you ”

exhaled sharply, waving a dismissive hand. “Go on. She’s waiting, isn’t she? Don’t

In fact, an unexpected tightness settled in his chest. Why

she noticed he was still sitting

standing up.

“Mhm.”

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191 Maybe Try A Little Harder

as she narrowed her gaze at him. “Is it true? That Ernest is

“Hadley-”

clapped her hands together, laughing lightly. “It is your

off, her tone laced with amusement and derision. “Go on, Eric! What are you still doing here? Don’t waste time with me–go be her

with anger, cut through the air like a whip. “Do you really think