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

Chapter 229 Must You Be

So Unreasonable

A response arrived with the swiftness of a summer breeze.

“Mr. Flynn, we’ve been ringing your brother non–stop, but the line’s as dead as a doornail!”

How peculiar could that be?

Eric paused for a heartbeat, casting a fleeting glance at the woman beside him.

Inclining toward Hadley’s ear, he murmured softly, “Hadley, I need to slip out for a quick call.”

Hadley turned her gaze to him, her curiosity evident in the tilt of her head, though she refrained from prying. With a simple nod, she replied, “Go on, then.”

Eric rose from his seat, stepped into the cool evening air outside, and punched in a number on his phone.

The line connected almost instantly.

It was Linda’s agent, her voice crackling with urgency. “Mr. Flynn.”

Eric cut straight to the chase, his tone clipped. “What has happened?”

The agent’s words tumbled out in a rush. “Linda collapsed on set just moments ago!”

“Pardon?” Eric’s face darkened like a storm cloud rolling in, his brows knitting together in concern. “Get an ambulance then! Why waste time ringing me? Do I strike you as a physician?”

“No need to fret, Mr. Flynn, we’re already in the ambulance.” The agent hastened to assure him, her voice trembling slightly. “But given the gravity of the situation, I thought it best to notify you–and your brother, of course.”

Eric massaged his temples, tamping down his rising irritation. “How is she holding up?”

“We’re not certain yet,” the agent admitted. “The doctor with us suspects it might be sheer exhaustion…”

Linda had been burning the candle at both ends, juggling wedding preparations with her relentless work schedule, pushing herself to the brink.

“Very well, I understand;” Eric replied, his voice steady but laced with concern.

“Mr. Flynn,” the agent ventured cautiously, “will you be coming to the hospital?”

Eric didn’t commit, his response measured. “I’ll call Ernest.”

With that, he ended the call and immediately dialed Ernest’s number. True to the agent’s words, the line wouldn’t connect–Ernest was utterly unreachable.

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Chapter 229 Must You Be So Unreasonable

What in the world was going on?

Eric’s mind churned with questions. Ernest hadn’t returned to work yet, and today marked no doctor appointment. Shouldn’t he be lounging at home at this hour?

to ring Flynn

voice warm and familiar. “Mr. Flynn.”

is Ernest there?”

sir. He stepped out this afternoon

his tone betrayed a flicker of unease.

his brow furrowed deeper, a tangle of thoughts knotting in his mind.

What could they have been up to all this

wasn’t that Eric wanted to harbor doubts about his brother, but ever since Ernest had gained consciousness, too

phone away, Eric turned

soft laugh escaping her lips as the film’s story unfolded, delighting the audience

reluctant to shatter the serene moment but left

Hadley noted, her attention still half–caught by the flickering images before her.

“Hadley, listen.”

left, Eric leaned closer, his voice a hushed murmur near her ear. “Linda collapsed on set and was rushed to the hospital. I can’t get ahold of my

“What?”

mid–laugh, her eyes snapping to his with

sheen of sweat dotting his brow. “Hadley,

Before he could finish his plea, Hadley waved a hand breezily, cutting

the glowing screen, resuming her immersion in the film.

of

tinged with worry. “Are you upset? I wasn’t planning to go at first, but with my brother missing in action, I

“Shh.”

to

a cinema–let’s not bother everyone else. I already told you to go, didn’t I? So go.”

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You Be So

would persist, she added, “I’m

Was she, though?

her true feelings, but her expression remained an enigma

experiences gnawed at him, leaving a lingering

her hand, he suggested, “Why don’t you come along

would I?” Hadley shot him a pointed look, slipping her hand free from his grasp with a shake of her head. “You go look after her. I’d rather stay and finish

Eric tried again, his tone softer.

a trace of irritation creeping into her voice. “It’s bad enough you won’t stay to watch with me, but now you won’t even let me enjoy

“Hadley…” Eric pressed.

turned her head away, refusing to meet his

silence for a few lingering moments

his watch, mentally calculating

arrange for Sebastian to pick you up

Hadley said nothing

take my

with a reply, merely flicking her

creased slightly as he exited the

he hesitated before sending Hadley a quick message.

time, I’ll come back to fetch you myself. If I couldn’t make it, please give

but no response