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

Chapter 1149:

“You…” Hadley’s eyes widened, her breath catching as her body quivered with shock. Words failed her, her lips trembling in silent distress.

“Hadley?” Eric, ever attentive, was at her side in an instant, his concern palpable as he sensed her unraveling.

His gaze hardened as he turned to Noreen, seizing her arm and ushering her toward the door with urgency. “Out—now!”

“Ouch!” Noreen winced, clutching her arm in protest.

Eric’s jaw clenched, his voice low and fierce. “Leave. Don’t test me, or I won’t hold back—woman or not.”

Noreen caught the steely glint in his eyes, a warning that brooked no argument. She straightened, defiance still simmering beneath her fear.

“Fine, I’m going! But don’t think I’m a coward—I’m dead set on protecting my son.”

Her parting shot hung in the air, her anger still boiling beneath the surface.

Tell Hadley to give up her foolish hopes!” With that, Noreen fled, nursing her bruised pride

solely on Hadley,

to the spot, her frame shaking violently, as if caught in a storm of her own

heart twisted at the sight. Gently, he guided her to the sofa, alarmed

pressed,

eyes locked on some distant memory. In a whisper, she echoed Noreen’s barb, “I’m a walking jinx just

chest tightened. He enveloped her cold hands in his warm ones, his tone firm yet tender. “That’s

brimming with unshed tears. A wry smile flickered across her lips, tinged with

mother brought me back to our quiet hometown where my grandmother resided, Dracnesse Town. I couldn’t accept that my father had abandoned us.

his eyes lifted to meet hers, steady and

brings magic to

smile touched Hadley’s lips as tears traced paths down her

scour the town for me… That night, it was my grandmother who found

heart plummeted. “Hadley, you don’t have to relive this,” he urged, his voice thick with

Hadley’s bitter laugh cut through, as if she hadn’t heard