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.”

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

time, she simply offered a smile as she scrutinized the

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

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

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turned to the shop assistant and

“Excuse me?”

“This.”

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

right,” Hadley confirmed with

wavered. “But Miss Pearson, Mr. Flynn ordered

Hadley remained unbothered. “Since he bought it for me, I own it. That means I can give

yes.” The assistant hesitated but

“Good, it’s decided then.”

her excitement, Linda immediately grabbed the dress and hurried to