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

Chapter 55 A Passing Spark That Had Long Since Fizz...

When Hadley peeked inside the bag, het brows knitted together. Lollipops? She puzzled over it, wondering if the

whirlwind of the night-the chaos, the excitement, the relentless twists-had finally scrambled her senses

“What are you zoning out for?” Eric glanced at her briefly, his tone laced with casual impatience. “Open one.”

Did he want one for himself?

Hadley gave a small nod. “Alright.”

She reached into the bag, pulled one out, peeled off the wrapper, and held it out to him. “Here.”

Eric's lips curled into the faintest smirk.

“Why are you handing it to me?”

Huh? Hadley blinked in surprise. If not for him, then for whom? He was the one who told her to open it. Now he

didn’t want it? Was he just toying with her?

Eric let out a soft sigh, catching the baffled expression on her face.

He leaned in, plucked the lollipop from her grasp, and murmured, “Open your mouth.”

“Huh?” Hadley'’s lips parted slightly in confusion.

Even so, Eric seized the moment. With deliberate ease, he placed the lollipop between her lips.

Hadley’s mind scrambled. What was going on here?

Eric chuckled, clearly amused by her reaction.

For once, there were no barbed words or sharp exchanges between them. And when he smiled like that, with the

ghost of boyish mischief flickering in his eyes, he seemed almost innocent.

He gave her a nod. “How is it? Sweet?”

Hadley hesitated, swallowed, and then nodded slowly, her expression dazed. “Yeah”

“So good it’s got you speechless?”

Eric glanced at her, his voice teasing “What, planning to enjoy the whole stash by yourself? There's a whole bag,

you know. Shouldn't you unwrap one fortoo?”

So, he did want one after all?

Hurriedly, Hadley grabbed another, peeled it open, and held it up to his lips.

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Chapter 55 A Passing Spark That Had Long Since Fizzled Out

“Here.”

Eric hummed under his breath before leaning down to take a bite.

The sugary taste hit his tongue, and he frowned slightly. What was so special about this? It was just sugar-

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something only kids would lose their minds over.

Then again, Hadley was young enough to be swept up in such small joys.

It made sense she liked it.

“Last time, | tossed your lollipop.” Eric's tone carried a hint of regret. “You gavehell for it. So, here-I'm

making amends with a whole bag, all different flavors. Happy now?”

This was his way of apologizing?

Hadley was too stunned to respond at first.

Upon seeing her freeze, Eric's brow creased. “What? You don’t like it?”

She shook her head quickly. “No, I love it. Thank you.”

She had no clue why he was being so oddly generous, but she wasn’t about to risk saying otherwise.

Who knew if he'd get annoyed and haul her back to the police station?

“As long as you like it.”

Eric leaned back, content.

The candy melted on his tongue, and before he even realized it, his lips curved into an easy, satisfied smile.

Back at her apartment, Hadley’s phone buzzed.

It had been vibrating in the car earlier. Not in the mood to deal with it, she had put it on silent.

But whoever was calling wasn’t giving up.

It was well past midnight now, and Hadley almost felt sorry for their persistence.

She sighed and answered. “Hello...”

“Hadley!”

The voice on the other end was frantic. “Why couldn't | get through? Are you alright? Did the police give you

trouble?”

Hadley smirked inwardly.

His concern always arrived too late.

“I'm fine, and I'm hanging up now...”

“Wait!”

The desperation in his voice cut through. “About the money. | left in a hurry and forgot to give you the check.

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I've got everything set. Let's meet, and I'll hand it over...”

“No need.”

“Hadley?” His confusion was palpable. “Are you mad?”

Hadley dodged the question, focusing on what she needed to say. “I'll figure out the money another way. As for

you, we're done. After this call, I'm blocking you. Please don’t reach out again.”

“Had-"

She didn’t wait to hear the rest. Without hesitation, she hung up and blocked his number.

Tilting her face upward, Hadley blinked hard.

How could she be so foolish? How many times did she have to trip over the smistake before she learned?

tonight, she wouldn't make the smistake ever again.

Reaching out to him had been a misstep, but afs

He would never know what she endured alone every the chose to

She shut her eyes, feeling the sting behind her lids.

“Don’t cry, Hadley,” she murmured to herself. “Don’t cry.”

She had to figure something out. For Joy’s sake, she would.

turn away.

That night, the nightclub pulsed with its usual opulence and energy.

Hadley remained the reigning star of the stage, but ever since that infamous toasting incident, everyone knew

she was under Eric's favor.

So, they watched from a respectful distance. No one dared

But as twent on, the whispers started.

to step out of line.

Eric didn’t seem so invested in his star performer anymore. Word on the street was that his interest had been

fleeting, a passing spark that had long since fizzled out.

In fact, he hadn’t shown his face in weeks.

The lavish gestures-the flowers, the midnight snacks,

e small indulgences-had all disappeared.

Nightclub regulars weren't naive; they could see that Hadley had escaped Eric's notice.

Even if that weren't the case, sof them couldn't resist giving it another go.

After a quiet spell, admirers began creeping back into the picture.

Tonight, when Hadley stepped into the dressing room, the space was overflowing with flowers.

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“Hadley, you're here!”

Lennon sauntered over, his grin wide as he gestured at the floral spectacle. “Look at this. Our Hadley’s got a

magic touch. The turnout tonight...”

It nearly rivaled the attention Eric had once lavished on her.

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Chapter 55 A Passing Spark That Had Long Since Fizzled Out

Hadley eyed the blooms and asked, “Did Duran Murray send these?”

“Yep,” Lennon confirmed with a smirk. “He’s been extra generous with you lately.”

Hadley frowned, curiosity piqued, “What's his angle?”

“What?” Lennon blinked, taken aback. “You mean...”

Hadley nodded, her gaze unwavering. “Yeah, | mean. Does he simply appreciateand my performance, or is

there something bigger at play?”

“Well...”

Lennon was caught off guard by her directness.

Sure, plenty of nightclub performers found themselves entertaining clients beyond the stage. It wasn’t unusual.

But Hadley’s candor was another story.

Lennon usually took it upon himself to relay client requests rather than answer questions like these.

He hesitated before giving Hadley an honest answer. “He hasn't said anything outright.”

“Alright.”

Hadley absorbed the information, and then turned back to him. “Can | meet him after the show?”

She gestured at the floral avalanche. “He went all out. | should thank him in person.”

“Of course.”

Lennon didn’t hesitate. A cooperative performer made his job easier.

“Shall | set it up?”

“Yes, thank you, Mr. Lewis.”

“Anytime.”

As he turned to make the arrangements, he sighed inwardly. “What a prize... and it’s that old-timer Duran who's

going to cash in?”

Still, he set his reservations aside. If Hadley becDuran’s girl, it would be a win for Galant.

Later that night, thanks to Lennon’s coordination, Hadley finished her performance, wiped away her stage

makeup, changed, and made her way to Duran’s private room.

“Mr. Murray,” Lennon called out, flashing a polished smile as he ushered her inside. “Hadley’s here.”