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

Chapter 53 Where Is He

Inside the private lounge, Hadley sat opposite the man, who had been watching her in silence from the

moment she arrived. His gaze never wavered, fixated on her as if searching for something.

“Hadley, this is already our third tcrossing paths. That day at Kingsbridge-you were there to see your

grandmother too, weren't you? You had a mask on back then...”

Hadley didn’t let him finish. “That’s not why | came.” She kept her tone even but direct. “Let's not waste time.

You said you'd bring the money. Do you have it?”

The man gave a measured nod. “I do.”

His fingers tapped lightly against the table, but he made no effort to reach for it. “I'll give it to you, but... it’s

been years. You disappeared without a word, left the country, cut everyone off. How have you been? And you

and Eric-"

“Don’t.”

Her voice remained controlled, but there was no mistaking the edge behind it.

She met his eyes without hesitation. “Do you really think you should be askingthat?”

“I...” He faltered for a moment before regaining his voice. “Why not? Hadley, | still care about you. You and Eric

“Care?”

Hadley let out a short, bitter laugh. “Now you do? After all this time?”

There had been a point in her life when she needed help the most. Where was he then? Words of concern that

only surfaced long after the damage had been done were meaningless.

The man sat in silence, his expression tense with something close to regret. “I won't deny I let you down. But at

least tellthis-why do you need that much money? What happened? Is Eric giving you trouble?”

He had seen them together not long ago. Eric had seemed protective, unwilling to let her go.

They hadn't looked like a couple falling apart, but the fact remained-Hadley had been sent overseas and kept

away for four years.

“Hadley, just tell me-"

She had no patience for this.

Hadley took a slow breath, steadying herself. “If | don’t explain, does that mean I'm not getting the money?”

“That's not what I-”

A sudden, forceful pounding shook the door.

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< Chapter 54 Where 15 11

Bang bang bang

Bang bang, bang

The forceful banging left no doubt that if they refused to open the door, whoever was outside was more than

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willing to smash their way in.

“Open up!”

“Open the door!”

“Srizby PD! We know you're in there!”

What's happening?

Why had the police shown up?

Hadley’s gaze flicked toward the man across from her. His face had drained of color, his panic unmistakable.

“Shit!” He shot up from his seat, his breathing quick and uneven. Even if they had done nothing wrong, getting

caught up in a police matter could easily spiral into something far worse. A simple questioning could turn into

a scandal.

But more than anything, he couldn't afford for his family to find out about this meeting

Hadley saw right through him. “How ridiculous!” she thought.

He had spoken big words about caring for her, but now that things were about to get complicated, his only

concern was himself.

“Hadley...”

“What's the problem?”

She arched a brow, her voice sharp with amusement

“We're innocent, aren't we? We could just open the door and explain everything. There's nothing to hide, right?”

“Hadley, 1...” His hesitation said it all.

Her lips curled into a cold smirk. “Relax, I'm just messing with you. But look at you-already breaking a sweat.”

Her amusement faded as she turned toward the balcony. “If you don’t want to be seen, then leave through

there.”

“Hadley-"

“Now!” Her patience had run dry. “Unless you'd rather stay? Because I'm about to open the door. Once they take

you in for questioning, let's see how you explain this to your wife.”

He froze, but then spun on his heel and bolted toward the balcony without another word.

He ran

Hadley let out a quiet scoff

She never needed him anyway.

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Chapter 53 Where Is He

With a steadying breath, she walked toward the door and pulled it open.

“Hadley!”

She barely had tto register what was happening before she was met with Eric's furious face.

The intensity in his eyes sent a jolt through her.

For a split second, she swore he looked like a man who had just caught his wife in bed with another man.

“Just look at the mess you've made!”

His voice was thick with anger, and before she could respond, he lifted his hand in a sharp motion. The officers

behind him rushed into the room.

They searched every inch of the space. Nothing.

“No one’s here?”

“Just her?”

“That doesn’t make sense.”

Eric’s expression darkened, his entire body tense with disbelief. He didn’t trust a single word of it. Jaw clenched,

he stormed in and checked for himself.

“Where did he go?” Eric wheeled around to face Hadley. “The man you were here with-where is he?”

Hadley arched a brow, her tone laced with amusement. “What man? Mr. Flynn, you really shouldn't be tossing

out reckless accusations like that!”

“Hadley!”

Eric grabbed her waist without warning.

“Ah!”

Hadley gasped as she struggled and then lost her balance, stumbling backward onto the sofa. Eric didn’t let go.

His grip was firm, and his towering figure loomed over her, casting a heavy shadow.

“Enough games. Who were you here with? Where is he?”

“I...” Hadley’s breath hitched. Her face lost color, and her lashes quivered slightly. “I have no idea what you're

talking about.”

Eric's patience snapped. His eyes burned with an intensity that sent a chill down her spine. “Fine. Then answer

this-have you been with another man?” Hadley froze.

For a second, she thought she had misheard him.

Then anger flared inside her, sharp and uncontainable. Without hesitation, she shot back, “And what if | have?

What does that have to do with you?”

Eric's jaw tightened. “I'm the one asking the damn question! Yes or no?”

His voice thundered through the room, his fury barely restrained. The way he looked at her, as if daring her to

admit it, was nothing short of suffocating.

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Chapter 53 Where Is He

Hadley refused to be intimidated. She met his glare head-on, her voice steady and defiant. “That's none of your

concern.”

Eric fell silent for a moment. Fine, let it be!

He released her suddenly and rose from the sofa, his imposing figure loomed over her, casting a long shadow.

Freed at last, Hadley exhaled, steadying herself.

“Hey, you.” A police officer strode toward her. “You're coming with us.”

“Why?” Hadley, still rattled, snapped her head up in shock.

“We have reason to believe you're involved in illegal activities here. You'll need to cdown to the station for

questioning.”

Illegal activities?

Did they seriously think she was here selling herself?

Her stomach twisted in disbelief. “That's ridiculous! | haven't done anything!”

“You don't get to decide that,” the officer stated flatly. “Take her away.”

“No!” Panic surged through Hadley.

“Bring a female officer! Escort her out!”

“On it.”

The club manager paced anxiously outside, his nerves on edge.

“What's happening here? There has to be skind of mistake! Our establishment doesn’t allow that kind of

business, and she isn’t even one of our members. Officer, whatever she’s involved in, it has nothing to do with

us!”

The manager was on edge, his pulse racing as he inwardly cursed whoever had stirred up this mess and put his

club under a spotlight.

And really, who else could it be?

Of course, it was Eric. When the receptionist refused to let him dig around, he had gone straight to the cops.

Hadley’s gaze shot to Eric. It was him, no doubt about it! Was she his target? And if so, why?

Did he really believe this would rattle her?

She had nothing to be afraid of. Let them drag her to the station if they wanted. She had no secrets and could

face whatever cher way.

“Hold on!”

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My Neighbor's Wife

“You're a creepy bastard.” Hi