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

Chapter 502:

Hadley followed her gaze to the dress—only to notice that someone else had already set their sights on it.

“Hadley?” The surprise in Linda’s voice was unmistakable. Her grip on the gown loosened as realization dawned. “So… this dress belongs to you.”

Hadley met her gaze, an easy smile playing on her lips. “Looks like it. Do you like it?”

“I do,” Linda replied without hesitation. She ran her fingers over the fabric one last time, reluctant to let go. “I really like it—everything, from the silhouette to the finer details.”

She hesitated for a moment before adding, “Tonight is Ernest’s first public appearance at Flynn Group’s events since his recovery. I want to stand beside him looking my best.”

Hadley raised a brow but said nothing.

For a brief moment, Linda seemed to wrestle with herself. Then, with an exaggerated sigh, she stepped back. “It’s fine,” she said at last, a tinge of sadness in her voice. “I shouldn’t have set my heart on something that wasn’t mine. Don’t worry. I won’t compete with you. It’s yours.”

laughed out loud. That tone. The way she said it—as if she were the one being magnanimous, as if she were doing Hadley

such a confrontation would have already erupted with Hadley. However… this time, she simply offered a smile as she

it suited her taste to perfection—and she wasn’t wrong. Whether deliberate or not, Eric had chosen a style Linda would adore, even though the dress was meant for Hadley. It was clear he always

Thinking back to her welcome-back party when she first returned to Srixby, she recalled how the

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on Hadley’s lips. She turned to the shop assistant and said, “Please give this dress

“Excuse me?”

“This.”

assistant’s and Linda’s faces. Linda’s excitement was evident. “Really? You’re giving

confirmed with

“But Miss Pearson, Mr. Flynn ordered this

me, I own it. That means I can give it

The assistant hesitated but recognized

“Good, it’s decided then.”

her excitement, Linda immediately grabbed the dress and hurried