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

Chapter 400:

Hadley furrowed her eyebrows.

“Why not? What’s wrong with this hair tie?”

Elissa tilted her head, still studying the hair tie.

“There’s nothing wrong with it, it’s just…”

She trailed off before shrugging.

“You’re usually careful with money.”

It was an observation, not a judgment—Hadley’s frugality showed in everything, from the way she dressed to the simple meals she chose. That was why this felt… different.

Realizing how it might sound, Elissa quickly added,

“Not that there’s anything wrong with treating yourself now and then.”

“Wait…”

however, was already frowning as she

saying this

gave her

“Yeah! You didn’t know?”

was I

turned the hair tie over in her hands, studying it closely. It wasn’t hers—but it looked nearly identical. The same delicate design, the same

Wait, white beads…

story unfolds at

sudden thought

“Wait…”

her gaze, a flicker

“Are they real pearls?”

Elissa nodded without hesitation.

The real deal. The finest ones

crossed her arms,

on, Hadley, what do I do for a living? You think I’d

a fashion designer, well-versed in materials and craftsmanship. Spotting the difference between cheap knock-offs

the pearls adorning

for a hair tie, it’s a little on the

much do you think this would cost?” Hadley