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, “Could you speed up a

only a cut in pay but also missing out on her attendance

“Got it.”

the traffic was thickening by the minute.

Hadley, concern evident in his voice.

nodded, not in the mood to

me. Swing by Grandma’s Kitchen, grab a batch of their donuts, and take

caught every word.

he arranging this for

with a nod. “Hold on, you’ll have something to munch on shortly. Donuts from Grandma’s Kitchen–your

Indeed, they were.

how had he remembered?

Hadley responded with a raspy,

of the

at the studio, Hadley quickly expressed her

exited the

the donuts will be

“I’m not waiting!”

his plea, Hadley responded quickly, “I have to check in now! Appreciate the gesture

wave, she dashed into the building without

your gratitude?” Eric sighed, speaking to himself. “Skipping breakfast isn’t good for

you.”

genuinely concerned for her

Kitchen had proven difficult, and he ended up waiting over ten minutes

their arrival.

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“Mr. Flynn!”

“Right here!”

instructed, “Please inform Phillips I’ll be delayed by about forty

things till I get there.”

“Understood, Mr. Flynn.”

the bag in hand, Eric proceeded towards the studio.

meant he had

just in the nick of time, barely two seconds before being

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

“Thanks!”

grew curious about who awaited her.

staff and rarely known to visitors. Was it someone familiar

her locker and proceeded

locker room, unexpectedly bumped

know where I can find Hadley?” he

not here. I heard she went to meet someone at the east side door.”

“Thanks a lot!”

grateful smile at Elissa and then

a moment, impressed. Eric really did have a

clear why Hadley might be drawn to someone like

east side door, Hadley scanned the area, wondering who might be looking

caught her attention. It looked as if it hadn’t

weeks.

unsettling about the van–it lacked a license plate.