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.

0.0%

11

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.

Hadley urged Eric, “Could

studio meant not only a cut in pay but also missing

“Got it.”

accelerated, though the traffic was thickening by the minute.

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

not in the mood to think about that

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

every

this for

up, Eric assured her with a nod. “Hold on, you’ll have something to munch on shortly. Donuts from Grandma’s

Indeed, they were.

how had he

by a sudden surge of emotions, Hadley responded with

of the drive was

at the studio, Hadley quickly expressed her gratitude,

exited the

“Hold on, the donuts will be

“I’m not waiting!”

quickly, “I have to check in

a quick wave, she dashed into the building without looking back.

the point of only your gratitude?” Eric sighed, speaking to himself.

you.”

was genuinely concerned for her

proven difficult, and he ended up

their arrival.

22.8%

“Mr. Flynn!”

“Right here!”

bag, Eric instructed, “Please inform Phillips I’ll

things till I get there.”

“Understood, Mr. Flynn.”

bag in hand, Eric proceeded towards the studio.

meant he had

barely two seconds before being late. She now took her time changing in the locker

scheduled for the trainees, affording some free time. “Hadley.” The call came from the entrance of the

“Thanks!”

for the heads–up, Hadley grew

door was typically used by staff and rarely known to visitors.

locker and proceeded to the

just reaching the locker room, unexpectedly bumped into

where I can

she went to meet

“Thanks a lot!”

at Elissa and then headed

moment, impressed. Eric really did have a captivating smile,

why Hadley might be drawn

east side door, Hadley scanned the area, wondering who

was in sight, yet a dusty van parked nearby caught

weeks.

she noticed something unsettling about the van–it lacked