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.

0.0%

1415

+

x+

O

+4

x+

။

O

<

Seeing the strain

Ernest with purpose.

this strain,” she said firmly. “Come back home

his voice laced with hesitation.

interjected, her tone leaving no room for argument. Turning to Quentin, she issued her orders with the decisiveness of a seasoned matriarch. “Get in touch with Eric Have him come here straightaway- Linda might

at Ernest, her gaze steady and resolute

ask of Eric. It’s late,

bear after all…”

“You’re brothers, Ernest. And brothers take care of each

as

“Well? What are you standing around for? Call him!”

Flynn!” Quentin replied briskly, snapping into action.

three and four, when the world lay cloaked in stillness, Eric was roused from slumber by the insistent trill of his phone. He cast

ever the light sleeper, was already stirring, though her eyes remained closed. “Answer it

mumbled.

slipping out of the room with the

matter?”

began, his tone apologetic as he relayed the night’s events. “Your brother is running on fumes,

Eric rubbed his temples, a weary sigh escaping him.

I’ll

Mr. Flynn,”

For his brother, for

would he

edge of the bed, hesitating before speaking. “Hadley…” Hadley, still facing away from him, her eyes

pressed, his voice tinged with unease, “I need

face Eric, concern flickering across her features. “At this

20.8%

14:15

III

O

hour?”

TO THE hunt

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

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

Eric hurriedly shook his head, offering both comfort and clarity. “Ernest’s health

as she sought answers. “Isn’t the Flynn Group

question hung in the air, leaving Eric momentarily at a loss

as their gazes locked in a

dawn breaking through the fog, Hadley

her lips.

question and more a quiet realization, delivered with calm

heart stuttered, his fingers tightening around

Hadley interjected, her voice steady as a still lake. “If they called you this late, it must be

Don’t linger here explaining–just

Eric blinked, caught off guard by her composure. “You’re

her head, before her tone shifted with a sudden curiosity. “But let’s say, just for argument’s sake, I were upset and asked you to stay.

froze, his expression a canvas of conflicted

“Whether I’m upset or

it?”

nudge, her touch light but firm. “Go on now. She is

Eric hesitated, searching her face for something–anything–to

turned her gaze toward the window, her voice cool. “It’s late, and I

going.”

her profile, sensing the undercurrent of her

he couldn’t ignore the call of duty.

be off.”

her smile soft as she nodded in acknowledgment.

and moved to the closet to change. When he

him once