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

Chapter 240 The Hunt For

Linda

“Linda!”

In that fleeting moment, Ernest glimpsed the wild frenzy dancing in Linda’s eyes,

He swiftly passed little Locke into Nyla’s waiting arms. “Locke, my dear boy, Daddy has some urgent matters to attend to, so you’ll stay with your great–grandmother for a spell.”

Turning to Nyla with a heavy heart, Ernest began, “Grandma…”

“No need to explain, child. I understand perfectly.” Nyla reassured him with a knowing nod. “Go on now, dod’s

fret. Locke is safe in my care.”

“Thank you, Grandma!” Ernest’s voice carried the weight of gratitude.

“Off with you,” Nyla said warmly, cradling a bewildered Locke in her arms. She softened her tone, soothing the boy with the tenderness only a great–grandmother could muster. “No need to be frightened, Locke. This is grown–up business, nothing for you to worry over. Let’s head home with great–grandma, shall we?”

Children had a keen sense for recognizing genuine affection, and Locke could feel the warmth radiating from Nyla. He gave a small, trusting nod.

“That’s my good lad,” Nyla murmured, guiding him gently. “Let’s be on our way.”

Linda tore out like a woman possessed, leaping into her car and peeling off into the night without a backward

glance.

The orphanage sat perched atop a hill, and by the time Ernest and his men gave chase, Linda had vanished into the shadows like a ghost in the wind.

That night, Ernest was utterly spent.

His body, still mending from a years–long coma he had only emerged from mere months ago, protested with every step. His legs throbbed, and a dull ache pulsed in his temples.

Quentin, ever observant, took note of his struggle. “Mr. Flynn, why don’t you head back and catch some rest?

Leave the search for Miss Harris to me.”

Ernest’s brow knitted together, worry etched deep into his features.

“Even if you find her, Quentin, I fear she won’t come back willingly.”

Quentin couldn’t muster a counter to that grim truth.

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the car with care. Seeing the strain on her

Ernest with purpose.

body can’t handle this strain,” she said firmly.

Ernest began, his voice laced

she issued her orders with the decisiveness of a seasoned matriarch. “Get in touch with Eric Have him come here straightaway- Linda might not heed your words right now, but she’ll listen

at Ernest, her gaze steady and

like too much to ask of Eric. It’s late, and this mess

bear after all…”

in sharply, unwilling to entertain his self–imposed isolation. “You’re brothers, Ernest. And brothers take care of each other. If something happens to you, do you think Eric could

easy? Do as I say.”

“Well? What are you standing around for? Call

Quentin replied briskly, snapping into action.

the morning, somewhere between three and four, when the world lay cloaked in stillness, Eric was roused from slumber by the insistent trill of his

light sleeper, was already stirring, though her eyes remained closed. “Answer it outside,” she

mumbled.

whispered, slipping out of the room with the phone pressed

matter?”

brother is running on fumes, and Mrs. Flynn insisted I call you. I’m sorry to

hearing the tale, Eric rubbed his temples,

no trouble. I’ll head over

obliged, Mr. Flynn,” Quentin replied.

burdened breath. For his brother,

lingered–how would he explain

hesitating before speaking. “Hadley…” Hadley, still facing away from him, her eyes shut, murmured groggily, “Done with the call? Can we go back to sleep now? Turn

with unease, “I need to step out for a bit.”

she rolled over to face Eric, concern

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hand gently, his tone soft as a whisper. “It’s Ernest. He

happened to him?” Hadley asked, her worry deepening. “Is he

shook his head, offering both comfort and clarity. “Ernest’s health is holding

brow furrowing as she sought answers. “Isn’t the

question hung in the air, leaving Eric momentarily at

grappling with how to reply as

the fog, Hadley seemed

smile tugged at her lips. “It’s Linda,

a question and more a quiet realization, delivered with

heart stuttered, his fingers tightening

voice steady as a still lake. “If they called you this late,

here

caught off guard by her composure. “You’re not upset?”

shaking her head, before her tone shifted with a sudden curiosity. “But let’s say, just for argument’s sake, I

a canvas of conflicted emotions, answering more

upset or not

it?”

gave him a nudge, her touch light but firm. “Go on now.

Eric hesitated, searching her face for

cool. “It’s late, and I need

going.”

studied her profile, sensing the undercurrent of her displeasure

he couldn’t ignore the

be off.”

her smile soft as she nodded

closet to change. When he returned, Hadley had already settled back

him once