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

Chapter 193 I’ll Just Pretend I’m Feeding A Stray

The conversation veered into dangerous territory..

“Linda!” Eric interjected, a furrow forming on his brow. “You’re overthinking things. You know Ernest–once he makes a promise, he always follows through. And he made a promise to you, didn’t he?”

“Yeah…” Linda nodded, though her agreement felt hollow.

“Try not to worry,” Eric continued, assuming his words had set her mind at rest. “Ernest would never betray you

Never?

She’d once believed that wholeheartedly. Now, she wasn’t so certain.

“Let’s just drop it,” Linda murmured, regaining her composure.

She went back to preparing breakfast, flashing a faint smile. “It’s been a while since you had my cooking. Make sure you eat plenty later.”

“Thank you, but this was too much trouble,” Eric said. “The housekeeper will be here soon…”

“Hey, Eric.” Linda suddenly looked up and interrupted him. “I couldn’t find any ketchup earlier. Did you run

out?”

“Really?” Eric stood immediately, concern creasing his forehead. “I can go out and buy some!”

“No, there’s no need!” Linda tried to stop him with a small laugh. “I only mentioned it in passing. If we have it, great–if not, it’s fine. You know I’ve never really been a big fan of ketchup.”

“That won’t work. Hadley needs it–she won’t eat without ketchup. The store nearby should have some.”

“Hey, Eric…

”

Linda began, but he was already on his way out. She watched him go, eyes darkening slightly.

He’d been so thoughtful toward Hadley these days.

4

Eric came back later than expected, a bottle of ketchup in hand, which he placed on the table.

That took a while, Linda commented.

He explained, “The store downstairs didn’t have the brand Hadley likes, so I had to look elsewhere.” As he spoke, footsteps sounded from the staircase–Hadley was coming down.

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Chapter 1911 Just Pretend Im Feeding A Stray

“Hadley”

immediately, his gaze locked on her, reading every shift in her expression.

already?

Linda beat me to it,” she replied with a

and Linda“-neatly lumped

and took Hadley’s wrist. “Come have breakfast. Linda

let him lead her into

she heard them enter. “Hadley, good morning,” she

unmistakable contempt in Linda’s

letting go of Hadley’s hand. “I’ll

stovetop. “I’ve got

in the effort, he felt it would be rude for him and Hadley to merely wait

him a tight smile and stepped back. “Alright. Bacon’s done. You

her and Hadley alone at the table,

deeply. “Smells amazing, I’ll bet it tastes just as

“I didn’t make them

eggs with the

lips curving in a subtle smile. “I know. But Erie insists

spat, livid at Hadley’s self–assured

all the frustration and jealousy she’d been storing–over Eric and Ernest–came

surface

stand seeing Hadley’s perfect yet infuriating face for even another

out! Go! Right now!”

an icy stare. “What did you just say to me?”

me. I said get out of here.”

he’d do if I told him

an unimpressed arch of her brow, Linda answered coolly, “Do it. Think a few days of playing house w

25.01

III Just Pretend I’m Feeding & Stray

we’ve known each other? Please, I

a plate in each

“If you insist on staying, then eat. I’ll pretend I’m feeding a

plates on the table, shooting them both a wary look.

less–than–perfect intuition picked up on the tension.

down beside Hadley. “Sorry for the delay. Shall we

Linda replied,

bacon–not for herself, but to extend it toward Hadley.

Hadley. Try it. I was up before

had to do was open her mouth. But Linda’s jab about feeding a “stray”

way she’d

food closer. “My arm’s getting tired…”

Suddenly–smack!

it, Hadley slapped Linda’s hand

with the bacon–slipped from Linda’s grip and thudded