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

Chapter 1492:

“Thanks,” Eric said, heading outside.

The doors led to a lush garden bordering an artificial lake, its circulating water system creating a soft, trickling melody near the entrance. Interwoven with the sound were Hadley and Joy’s bright giggles.

Eric quickened his steps, spotting them crouched by the lake, their heads bent close together.

He cleared his throat gently, announcing his presence without startling them, and then approached, standing behind them.

“What are you two scheming about?” he asked, his tone warm and curious.

Joy sprang up, waving her small hand excitedly. “Mommy’s making me a whistle!”

“Is that so?”

Eric’s eyes flicked to Hadley, intrigued. A whistle? It looked like… a peach pit.

a look,” he said, reaching for the object in

laughed, yanking her hand back and clutching the pit to her chest. She pointed at Hadley.

“Oh, I see…”

crouching beside Hadley. He reached out, brushing a loose strand of hair

the

Hadley glanced up, her

peach pit in her hand, a remnant from the fruit she and Joy had shared after dinner. One side was worn through,

I’ll hollow out the kernel and clean it. It’ll be

Eric said,

live now on

him a skeptical look. “You never made these when you were

voice softening. “Growing up, just having food on the table was

nodded, understanding, and returned to smoothing the pit. “All done!” she

eagerly. “Can I

back. “It’s still dirty. We

stood, brushing off her hands. “Let’s