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.”

voice sharpened, frustration

all Ferris’s doing—his

“About last night—”

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

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

to his feet,

it’s not like

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“Don’t bother denying it. The truth has a way of surfacing. I could speak to Linda directly, you know.

head, eyebrow arched in challenge. “Want

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

she said quietly, a shadow of a smile appearing. “After all, it was because of you that I was put in danger.” She looked away briefly, and then added, “Still, it’s only natural to protect the one you truly care about. That’s

“Hadley…”

beside her bed, clutching her hands like

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