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

Chapter 212 Abduction

“What did I do now?”

Eric looked confused, hoping Ernest would elaborate.

Instead, Ernest simply shook his head and dismissed the conversation. “Never mind.”

“Ernest,” Eric’s curiosity grew, along with a sense of helplessness. “You can’t just start something and not finish it. What’s the mystery here? What are you hiding?”

Ernest chuckled, “Let’s save it for another time. Right now, I need to visit Linda at the hospital. Why don’t you go have dinner with Grandma?”

So this was about Linda.

“Alright,” Eric responded, nodding.

Yet, Eric was left with a nagging suspicion that Ernest was still hiding something from him.

What was bothering him so much that he couldn’t even share it?

Throughout the night, Eric’s thoughts were preoccupied with Hadley.

The following day, rather than going straight to his office, he detoured to her place.

Although he knew Hadley often visited the dance studio in the afternoons, he wanted to see how she was doing in the morning before heading to work.

He hesitated as he picked up his phone. Was it too early? Was Hadley even awake?

Despite wanting to go up to her apartment, Hadley had been clear that it wasn’t allowed, it wasn’t convenient.

Amidst his indecision, he spotted Hadley exiting the gate. She was briskly walking with a bag in hand, appearing somewhat hurried.

“Hadley!”

Eric quickly drove up and pulled over next to her. “Where are you off to? Hop in; I’ll give you a lift.”

“Thanks!”

Recognizing him, Hadley didn’t hesitate and climbed into the car.

As they drove off, Eric stole a glance at her. She looked a little tired, perhaps still groggy from sleep.

He asked, “You just got up?”

“Yep.

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Hadley paused, giving a nod as she glanced in the mirror. Was her late start that noticeable?

She couldn’t fall asleep until early morning, which led to her waking up late.

Unaware that the studio had temporarily stopped their performances, Melba hadn’t woken Hadley, assuming her usual schedule was in place.

urged Eric,

studio meant not only a cut in pay

“Got it.”

though the traffic was thickening by

Hadley, concern evident in his voice. “Did you skip breakfast in

Hadley nodded, not in the mood to think about that now.

phone and made a quick call. “Hey, it’s me. Swing by Grandma’s Kitchen, grab a batch of their donuts, and take them to Lightning Dance Studio–fast!”

every word.

arranging this for

assured her with a nod. “Hold on, you’ll have something to munch on shortly. Donuts from Grandma’s Kitchen–your favorites, right?”

Indeed, they were.

had

emotions, Hadley responded with

the drive was

quickly expressed her gratitude, saying, “Thanks so

the car

called out. “Hold on, the donuts will

“I’m not waiting!”

quickly, “I have to check

she dashed into the building

sighed, speaking

you.”

genuinely concerned for her health.

had proven difficult, and

their arrival.

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“Mr. Flynn!”

“Right here!”

instructed, “Please inform Phillips I’ll be

till I get

“Understood, Mr. Flynn.”

the bag in hand, Eric proceeded towards the

meant he had no set schedule, unlike Hadley.

had managed to clock in just in the nick of time, barely two seconds before being late. She now took her time changing in the locker

was a weekday, there were no morning classes scheduled for the trainees, affording some free time. “Hadley.” The call came from the entrance of

“Thanks!”

grew curious about who awaited

was typically used by staff and rarely

her locker and proceeded to the east

room, unexpectedly bumped into Elissa.

I can find Hadley?” he asked.

inside. “She’s not here. I heard she went to meet someone at the

“Thanks a lot!”

flashed a grateful smile at Elissa and then headed out.

impressed. Eric really did have a captivating

be drawn to someone like

east side door, Hadley scanned the area,

dusty van parked nearby caught her attention. It looked as if it hadn’t

weeks.

the van–it lacked a