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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car with care. Seeing

Ernest with purpose.

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

Ernest began, his voice laced with

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 not heed your

were aimed squarely at Ernest,

ask of Eric. It’s late, and this mess is my burden

bear after all…”

unwilling to entertain his self–imposed isolation. “You’re brothers, Ernest. And brothers take care of each other. If something

easy? Do as

thinning. “Well?

Flynn!” Quentin replied briskly, snapping into

in stillness, Eric was roused from slumber by the insistent trill

already stirring, though her eyes remained

mumbled.

the phone pressed

matter?”

is running on fumes, and Mrs. Flynn insisted

Eric rubbed his temples, a weary

understand. It’s no trouble. I’ll head over right

Flynn,” Quentin replied.

call and let out a long, burdened breath. For his brother,

question lingered–how would he

open and perched on the edge of the bed, hesitating before speaking. “Hadley…” Hadley, still facing away from him, her eyes shut, murmured groggily, “Done with the call?

tinged with unease, “I need to

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

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hour?”

hunt

tone soft as a whisper. “It’s Ernest. He is caught in a bit of a bind.”

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

head, offering both comfort and clarity. “Ernest’s health is holding steady, no need to fret.”

as she sought answers.

air, leaving Eric momentarily at

with how to reply as their gazes locked in a quiet,

a dawn breaking through the fog, Hadley seemed to

tugged at her lips. “It’s

more a quiet realization, delivered with calm

stuttered, his fingers tightening around her hand. “Hadley, I…”

on, then,” Hadley interjected, her voice steady as a still lake. “If they called you this

Don’t linger here explaining–just go.”

caught off guard by her composure. “You’re

in the least.” Hadley offered a gentle smile, shaking 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

froze, his expression a canvas of conflicted emotions, answering more than words ever

upset or not wouldn’t change

it?”

from his and gave him a nudge, her touch light but firm. “Go on now. She is waiting.”

her face for something–anything–to hold

the window, her voice cool. “It’s late,

going.”

studied her profile, sensing the undercurrent of her displeasure beneath her composed exterior.

the call of

I’ll be off.”

soft as she nodded

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

him