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

Chapter 834:

Elissa blinked. The coolness in his voice, the emotional distance—it caught her off guard. She sat down slowly, unsure of herself.

What was she supposed to do? Maybe small talk? Her hands fidgeted in her lap, and her nerves rose. That was when Hadley arrived.

“Hadley!” Elissa stood immediately as her friend entered the room. Relief flooded her voice. “It’s good to see you!”

“Hi, Elissa.” Hadley crossed the room with quick, purposeful steps and gently looped her arm through Elissa’s. “I’m so sorry I couldn’t be here last night.”

“It’s fine,” Elissa said, her voice softer now, comforted by the familiar presence. She smiled, her gaze drifting toward Ernest on the sofa. “Thanks to Mr. Flynn, everything’s already been arranged.”

Hadley smiled toward Ernest. “Yes, he’s been incredibly helpful. Ernest, sorry to trouble you again.”

he replied with a simple nod—curt and cool, as always. Without another

audible, “is Mr.

glanced after him, momentarily confused. “What makes you

I’ve been doing all the talking. He hasn’t really said

with a thoughtful frown. “Actually, no—he said things like ‘okay’ and ‘fine’ a couple of times. I can’t

stifled it behind a warm smile. “No, no—it’s nothing like that. That’s just Ernest. He’s always been… reserved.

shoulders relaxed as she let out a soft breath of relief. “Oh, that’s good. I was thinking… if I’m too much

gently patted her hand. “Ernest is one of the kindest people I’ve

Elissa tilted her head thoughtfully, then smiled. “That makes sense. He doesn’t even know me, but he’s helping me anyway.” A memory surfaced, and her smile

typically required a month’s notice. For patients needing surgery, the waiting

the doctor leaned back, reviewing the results with a thoughtful nod. “The odds of a successful surgery

She gasped in delight and immediately