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

Chapter 209

Chapter 209 Short Fuse

The man standing before Hadley was the one she was supposed to call father. And look at what he’d done!

Once, Cade had sworn undying love to his wife, whispered sweet promises of forever, and shared the kind of moments that should have been unbreakable. He had been overjoyed at Hadley’s birth, cradling her in his arms as if she were the most precious thing in the world.

But all of it–the love, the devotion–had been a lie.

One day, everything changed. He abandoned his wife and child for his wife’s sister without so much as a backward glance, leaving them to fend for themselves as if they had never mattered at all.

Not once did he look back. Not once did he reach out.

If the Flynn family hadn’t later taken Hadley in, she didn’t even want to imagine what her life would have become.

And now, after years of silence, after treating her like she didn’t exist–he had the gall to show up and ask her for a favor?

Not just any favor. He actually wanted her liver.

Hadley’s lips curled into a sharp, humorless laugh.

Did Cade really think she was that easy to manipulate?

Cade remained calm, unfazed by her reaction. His voice was smooth, practiced–like a salesman closing a deal. “Hadley, I wouldn’t ask you to do this for nothing.”

He paused, as if setting a trap. “The house on Maple Street–the one filled with your mother’s memories. If you agree, I’ll sign it over to you. That’s what you want, isn’t it?”

Hadley stilled, her breath catching.

So that was what this was. He wasn’t asking. He was bartering.

The laughter bubbled out of Hadley, sharp and unrestrained, growing louder until it filled the space between them.

Cade stiffened. “Hadley…”

There was an uneasiness in his voice, a flicker of hesitation.

Truthfully, he hadn’t wanted to come here.

If it weren’t for his son–if it weren’t for his wife Noreen relentlessly pushing him–he never would have swallowed his pride and sought out the daughter he had abandoned.

Deep down, he had known Hadley wouldn’t agree. He knew she would refuse him.

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Chapter 209 Short Fuse

And now, seeing the raw amusement on her face, watching her laugh as if his very presence was a joke, Cade immediately regretted coming. Grinding his teeth, he forced the words out. “I’m sorry, Hadley. Just… forget I said anything.”

“Hmm?” Hadley’s laughter halted abruptly. She tilted her head, regarding him with cold eyes. “What’s this? Not desperate to save your precious son anymore?”

Cade exhaled sharply and shook his head. “I’ll find another way!” he muttered. “Hadley, I–I shouldn’t have come. Just act like I was never here today.”

With that, he turned on his heel and strode toward the door.

the handle, instinct made

place,

she looked so much like her mother.

something stabbed through Cade’s chest. But instead of lingering, he forced himself to

seated and laughed freely again, her laughter then slowly fading, the hollow echoes of it still ringing

trainees‘ session that she supervised ended

day, Hadley changed into her casual clothes and

Without much thought, she made her way to

through the arrangements, reaching out to touch the soft petals. Just then, her phone buzzed

“Hi!”

light, almost cheerful, as if he were in an unusually good mood.

in surprise. “You are?” It was still early–wasn’t he supposed to be

early today. There was a meeting, but nothing major, so I

turning almost playful. “I wrapped up early to spend time with

dodging the question. “I’m not

voice was evident.

buy flowers,” she answered

she continued, her tone brisk and detached, “I have other plans

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209 Short Fuse

she hung

stared at his

Just like that.

irritation bubbling to the surface. “That woman is really

more impossible to predict. And the

utterly indifferent to

and wanted to break things off? Even better.

wrap these for

carefully gathering the bouquet–a mix of

“Please wait

phone in hand

$136 in total.

she was about to pay, the doorbell chimed softly, signaling someone’s entrance. Hadley barely

“There you are!”

face him, startled. “How did you

quiet confidence. “When you really want to find someone, it’s

flowers. There aren’t many florists around–figured I’d check a few, and here you

Damn.

regretting mentioning it earlier.

florist

could take them, Eric smoothly intercepted, gathering the flowers in one

he said smoothly.

pointed look. “I don’t have the time or the patience

to go back to

for a moment. His mood seemed to

was exactly what she

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