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

Chapter 44 Not Going Anywhere

“ow!”

Hadley stumbled back, her face tightening in pain as he pulled her hair.

She inhaled deeply, steadying herself before demanding, “What are you doing here?”

Eric let out a quiet, almost indifferent chuckle, making no effort to explain himself. Instead, he gestured toward

the door and ordered, “Open it.”

Hadley hesitated, momentarily thrown off.

Was he expecting to cinside?

Reluctantly, she protested, “If you need to say something, say it here.”

“Open it!” Eric's patience frayed as he glared at her. “Must | repeat myself?”

Recognizing the intensity of Eric's mood, Hadley decided to defuse the tension by complying.

She unlocked the door, and Eric entered without uttering

a

word.

“It’s so dark in here. Aren’t there any lights?pped in and turned on the main light, finally brightening

Quick to address his growing annoyance, Hadley

the room.

The apartment felt tiny, especially with Eric’s imposing presence making the cramped space feel even smaller.

Silently, he surveyed the room.

It comprised a single bedroom, a living room, a kitchen, and a tiny bathroom.

Despite being advertised as a one-bedroom apartment, the spaces merged, with the kitchen by the entrance

and only the bathroom isolated.

Was this really a place for living?

It was smaller than a single room in his expansive Silver Villas property.

The apartment's only redeeming feature was its cleanliness and order. Yet, Eric saw it as nothing more than an

eyesore, no matter its state.

Abruptly, he turned, fixing Hadley with a severe look.

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“What's this about?”

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Taken aback, Hadley momentarily hesitated. “You see, this is the apartment where | live-"

“I'm aware,” Eric responded coldly. “I want to know why you choose to live here.”

Confused, Hadley suppressed a sigh. Sarcastically, she explained, “This is all | can afford.”

“Absurd!” Eric retorted instantly. “Didn’t | provide a house? Didn't | offer alimony? And now you're tellingthis

is all you can afford?”

“That's your money, your property,” Hadley responded crisply. “I have no part in it.”

Eric, taken aback, asked, “What was that?”

Hadley offered a slight smile. “I made it clear when | signed the divorce papers. | wouldn't accept anything from

the Flynn family. And | meant every word.”

During her toughest times, she had abandoned her dignity and begged for his help, but it never cher way.

Now that she was doing well, she certainly wouldn't take anything from him ever again.

Eric recalled a conversation with Cristian, who mentioned that she hadn't yet visited the law firm to complete the

property transfer.

“Is this really your plan?” Confusion marred Eric’s face, suspecting a new schof hers.

“It’s quite straightforward.” Looking up to meet his gaze due to their height difference, she smiled subtly. “Now

that we're divorced, Eric, | will manage my life independently.”

“Manage alone?” Eric scoffed dismissively, “Like this? In this slum?”

“Slum?” With a muted smirk, Hadley replied, “Perhaps to you, it's a slum.”

For her, this was already a nice apartment. She had endured far worse conditions in Blathe, even sleeping on

the streets for a while.

“Whatever.” Eric, losing patience with the conversation, commanded, “Pack your things. You're leaving with me

now.”

“What?” Startled by his irrational demand, Hadley protested, “Leave? This is my home. I'm staying.”

“Hadley!”

Eric's look was intense and full of exasperation, frustrated by her continual rejections.

“Do you think I'm here to coddle you? I'm doing this for Grandma.”

At that moment, Hadley recalled something important.

Nyla had instructed Eric to support her as he would his own sister, tied to the condition of agreeing to their

divorce.

Realizing she understood, Eric urged, “Let’s go, pack up now!”

“No.” Hadley remained firm in her refusal.

“Hadley?” His patience thinning. Eric pressed, “What do you really want?”

Exhaling deeply, Hadley replied calmly, “Eric, didn’t Nyla ask you to ensure | was alright? just observe how well

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Chapter 44 Not Going Anywhere

| manage on my own. Will you lethandle my affairs?”

“Let you handle your affairs?” Eric looked at her skeptically. “Be realistic, Hadley. You've been under our care

since you were fifteen-"

“That's long past.” Interrupting him sharply, Hadley stated, “I appreciate everything the Flynn family has done

for me, Eric, but trust me. | am capable of taking care of myself now. I'm no longer a parasite you labelled me.”

“A parasite?” Eric's brow creased with irritation. “When did | ever call you that, Hadley?”

Yet, wasn't it the truth?

For someone of his stature, dismissing others was effortless.

Hadley felt a chill, but she dismissed it, affirming, “I'm settled here, Eric. I'm not going anywhere.”

“Hadley!”

Eric was determined not to let her stay.

“Do you realize the nature of this neighborhood? West Twelfth Alley is no place for someone like you. The people

here, they're dangerous!”

Dangerous?

True enough.

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As a dancer at a nightclub, Hadley was no stranger to eclectic crowds.

“It’s not a problem,” Hadley responded nonchalantly. “I keep to myself, Eric. | avoid trouble.”

Eric was taken aback by her defiance, completely thrown off.

“The night is advancing.”

Hadley approached the door and swung it open. “It’s tfor bed. You should leave.”

She was clearly showing him out.

Eric realized he had no leverage. He couldn't force her to leave.

“Mr. Flynn?” Hadley arched an eyebrow, gesturing towards the door. “It’s tto leave.”

Taking a deep breath, Eric stepped out.

Yet as he crossed the threshold, he felt compelled to say one more thing. “Hadley, you-"

“I'm quite alright.” Interrupting him, Hadley smiled warmly. “No need to worry about Nyla, Eric. She's on board.

I'll speak with her again. She won't delay much longer, | assure you.”

Eric paused, surprised. Did she really think that was what he was after?

He started to object, but then reconsidered. Wasn't the divorce truly what he was after all along?

“It’s late.” Hadley smiled softly. “Drive safely.”

She then gently closed the door before him.

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Chapter 44 Not Going Anywhere

Eric was enveloped by darkness. This dreadful place!

If Hadley chose to remain here, so be it. It wasn’t his role to make her miserable. If she was determined to

endure this all, what could he do?

Resolute, Eric turned and hastened down the stairs, his decision firm.

The stairwell was pitch black. Abruptly, Eric halted. Something sticky snagged his foot.

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