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

Chapter 968:

“Hadley, you’re even more insufferable than I imagined!” Linda’s voice cut through the moment like a blade, her arms crossed tightly over her chest as she stepped forward, eyes cold with disdain. “Do you get some twisted satisfaction from toying with Eric like this?” The words hit like a slap.

Hadley froze, stunned—then her eyes narrowed, sharp as steel.

“I’m toying with him?” she echoed, her voice low and incredulous. A bitter laugh slipped past her lips. “Unbelievable. This is what I get? After everything, I’m the villain? You know what? I’m done. I’ll get out of the way so the two of you can finally stop pretending. You can confess whatever lingering feelings you have and be together without anyone standing in your way.”

Eric stiffened, blindsided. Linda’s expression faltered, her confidence cracking. Hadley had overheard them.

Eric turned toward her, mouth parting as if to speak, but no words came.

He didn’t even know why Linda had said those things. He didn’t understand her motives—and now it was too late to stop the fallout.

“Hadley…” Eric caught her by the arm, his grip firm, unwilling to let her walk away.

her mouth curling into a smile that didn’t reach her eyes. “I already told you—Ernest

want!” Eric’s voice cracked, hoarse with desperation. “I told you—I only

He only wanted

words hit her like a wave, and for a moment, her mask slipped—her expression flickering

together, turning to Hadley with a tight smile. “So… all this drama

but I was just joking. We’d both just recently broken up.

𝖀ρ𝓭α𝗍𝖾𝗌 𝗈𝗇ɩү 𝗈𝗇 ɢ𝖺ⅼ𝗇𝗈ν𝖊𝗅𝘀․ⅽ𝑜𝗆

eased slightly, seizing onto her words like a lifeline. He turned back to Hadley, hopeful. “See? Did you hear

fixed on Linda, disbelief shimmering just beneath the surface. Did they

Her voice was cold. “That’s your problem, not

to say something, her

“You’re still as insufferable as ever, just in a more polished way. Has Eric not spoiled you enough? You really should know your place. You’re not his girlfriend

voice tightened, panic flashing in

anger rising, and Linda’s words were only fueling