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

Chapter 1170:

He caught up to her, raising the umbrella to shield her from the downpour. “The rain is coming down in buckets, and you’re soaked to the bone. Let’s head back to the hospital, okay?” He reached for her arm, his touch gentle but firm.

“Let me go!” Hadley wrenched herself free, her head snapping up to meet Eric’s gaze. Her eyes blazed red with fury. “What’s a little rain? Does it matter if I’m drenched?”

Her face, tilted to the sky, shimmered with water, blurring the line between raindrops and tears. “I trailed her all afternoon! She visited Astrid, stopped at the supermarket. Why didn’t she go to Brady? Why?!”

Eric paused, the pieces clicking into place—Hadley was shadowing Noreen, desperate to uncover Brady’s whereabouts.

“I’m not budging!” Hadley’s eyes brimmed with defiance, her voice trembling as she teetered on the brink of collapse. “I’ll camp out here! She can’t hide Brady forever. She won’t! I’ll wait her out!”

“Hadley!” Eric’s chest tightened, aching for her pain.

With the umbrella steady in one hand, he cradled the back of Hadley’s head with the other, drawing her into a tender embrace. “You don’t have to stay out here. Let me handle the situation.”

“You?” Hadley stiffened, pulling back to study Eric, her eyes clouded with confusion.

Eric said with a nod, his voice resolute. “Joy is my daughter, too. I’m just as torn up as you are. Trust me. I’m on it.” His phone buzzed, cutting

It could

his pocket. They

soft, bitter scoff escaped her lips,

desperation surged within her. “Eric,

call

the world of fiction at

Denver’s voice rang out as he hurried toward them, umbrella in hand,

“Denver!”

hardened as his phone

call came from Cordell this

find?

Scott, we’ve caught a scent,” Cordell

brow creased. “Where is

Town. We’re still pinpointing the exact