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

Chapter 999:

His voice was soft, gentle, as if he were afraid that a louder tone might break her.

Hadley looked him in the eye and began slowly, “I wanted to talk about Joy… and the cryopreservation—have you thought it through?” Eric’s expression darkened. “Didn’t we agree to wait until the time comes?”

“I can wait,” she said gently, not pushing. “But you have to promise me that when that time comes, you’ll cooperate.”

“Why wouldn’t I?” Eric’s brows drew together. “Joy’s my daughter too, and I care about her.”

Hadley nodded. “Then I’ll trust you to keep your word.” A faint smile touched her lips.

“When the time is right, I’ll reach out. If you want to see Joy before that, talk to Melba.”

“Hadley?!” Eric’s chest tightened, his nerves stretched thin. “Are you saying… you don’t want to see me again?”

“Yes.” She touched her throat and nodded, her expression unreadable. “Unless absolutely necessary, I’d rather not.”

Eric’s voice sharpened, frustration laced beneath

Ferris’s doing—his

“About last night—”

softly, her lashes trembling. “There’s no need to explain. Linda and I were both

clear, composed—neither angry nor sorrowful. “And I know

true!” Eric shot to

not like

ν𝓮 ℓs․com,

has a way of surfacing. I could speak to

eyebrow arched in challenge. “Want to hear it

unable to answer—because he knew if Hadley confronted Linda, everything would unravel. “Hadley.” His

in danger.” She looked away briefly, and then added, “Still, it’s only natural to protect the one you

“Hadley…”

dropped to his knees beside her bed, clutching her hands like she

was terrified. This time felt different—final. She wasn’t just angry. She