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

Chapter 1336:

Just as the familiar outline of her neighborhood came into view, Hadley’s phone pierced the quiet with a sharp ring.

“Hello?” Hadley answered the call, her voice softening instantly. “Oh, Joy, sweetheart.”

“Mommy, are you done with work?” Joy’s small, eager voice bubbled through the line.

“Yes, love, I’m all done. I’ll be home soon to get you ready for your bath, alright?”

“Okay!” Joy chirped. “Mommy, I’m out walking with Melba. We’re waiting downstairs so we can go home together!”

“Sounds perfect,” Hadley replied, a smile tugging at her lips.

In the background, Melba’s voice floated through, gentle but firm. “All done, Joy? Time to say goodbye to Mommy.”

“Okay…” Joy began, but her voice cut off with a sudden, sharp cry. “Ah!”

lurched, her grip tightening on the

tore through the line, raw and frantic,

“Hello? Melba!”

draining of color as

but the familiar voices of Melba and Joy

furrowed with concern as he gently took

“Joy is in danger!”

clung to Eric’s hand with desperate

eyes. He tightened his hold on her hand and swiftly retrieved the phone with the other. “Phillips, it’s me. Joy’s in trouble. Head to Millland Road immediately—seal off every entrance and exit. Check the surveillance footage and scrutinize

voice was sharp, commanding, as he ended

it first

“Cordell, it’s me…”

pounding, anxiety etched into every line of her face. When

her, though worry gnawed at him. He couldn’t let his

his. “I swear, Joy will come back to us