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.”

nod—curt and cool, as always. Without another glance, he stood and

audible, “is

him, momentarily confused. “What makes you say that?”

“Well, ever since I woke up yesterday… I’ve been doing all the talking. He hasn’t really said anything

a couple of times. I can’t really see his expressions, but… I just feel like maybe he’s annoyed with me. Like

though she stifled it behind a warm smile. “No, no—it’s nothing like that. That’s just Ernest. He’s

Elissa’s shoulders relaxed as she let out a soft breath of relief. “Oh, that’s good. I was thinking… if I’m too much of a burden, maybe I shouldn’t let him take

not.” Hadley gently patted her hand. “Ernest is one of the kindest people I’ve ever known. He

smiled. “That makes sense. He doesn’t even know me, but he’s helping me anyway.” A memory

see was well-known, with limited appointments that typically required a month’s notice. For patients needing surgery, the waiting list stretched

the doctor leaned back, reviewing the results with a

leapt. She gasped in delight and