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

Chapter 68 Truly Stunning

Nyla clasped Hadley’s hand and pulled her up. “Since we're already on the subject, this is the perfect moment.”

“Nyla, I-”

“You know | don’t take no for an answer! No excuses!”

With no way to argue, Hadley followed her upstairs.

Since the whole thing had been kept a secret, the dress was hidden away in Nyla’s room.

Nyla led Hadley into the walk-in closet and gestured toward a dress hanging neatly on a rack. The fabric rested

beneath a protective garment bag, crisp and freshly pressed. “Go on, take a look. Isn't it beautiful?”

Hadley gave a small nod. “It’s beautiful.”

Nyla gave Hadley a once-over, eyes sharp with scrutiny. “You're tall, and your figure is incredible. This dress was

made for you. Try it on.”

“Alright.”

Satisfied, Nyla stepped out of the walk-in closet and waited just outside.

“Mrs. Flynn.”

The housekeeper, Kira Delgado, approached, her expression tight with concern. “There’s an order that doesn’t sit

right with me. Can you take a look?”

“Of course.” Without hesitation, Nyla followed her. With Linda unavailable, it was up to her to sort it out.

Not long after they left, Eric appeared upstairs.

He'd chearly on purpose, curious if there was anything he could help with. When he didn’t find Nyla or

Hadley downstairs, he decided to check upstairs.

“Grandma, you in there?”

Eric knocked twice on Nyla’s door. When no one answered, he tried the handle. It wasn’t locked, so he eased it

open and stepped inside.

In the walk-in closet, Hadley had slipped into the gown. It fit like it was made for her, hugging every curve

perfectly-except for one issue.

The zipper was in the back, just out of reach. No matter how she twisted, she couldn't grab it.

Growing impatient, she heard footsteps approaching and assumed it was Nyla. “Nyla, can you zipup? I've

been fighting with this thing forever.”

The footsteps hesitated.

Chapter 68 Truly Stunning

Then, they moved closer.

Hadley sensed someone behind her and turned her head slightly. “Could you-

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The words caught in her throat. Her whole body tensed.

That wasn’t Nyla. It was Eric,

Her breath hitched.

A jolt of panic shot through her, and she instinctively tried to bolt.

“Stay still.”

Eric's fingers closed around her wrist, his other hand steadying her waist. He leaned in, his breath feather-light

against her ear.

“In a dress like this, where do you think you're running off to? One wrong step, and it might just slip right off. You

know that, right?”

Hadley went rigid.

He wasn’t wrong about it.

So she didn’t dare move.

A faint smirk tugged at Eric’s lips. His hand eased to her waist. “Lethandle the zipper for you, okay?”

“Alright,” Hadley mumbled, her gaze falling as she gave a small nod. “Thank you.”

How had things ended up like this?

Where was Nyla? Right now, the only person she could turn to was Eric.

“Alright, let’s see.” Eric's fingers traced along her waist, searching. “Where's the zipper?”

He searched for a moment, coming up empty.

Heat rushed to Hadley’s face. “It’s right there! How are you not finding it?”

“I really can’t see it” His confusion was genuine. “I've never worn a dress before, you know.”

“It’s... there...”

Hadley trailed off. Words weren't getting through. With a quiet sigh, she reached back and guided his hand. The

second their skin touched, a spark shot through her-a soft, buzzing warmth that sent a shiver down her spine.

Eric tensed for a split second, caught off guard by the unexpected sensation.

It wasn’t unpleasant. If anything, it was... nice.

Hadley, unaware of his reaction, guided his hand to the zipper pull. “Here. Feel it now?”

“Yeah”

Eric swallowed hard, his Adam's apple shifting. His throat felt dry, almost scratchy, like he couldn't quite get

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Chapter 68 Truly Stunning

the motion right.

“Yeah, got it.”

“Then hurry up,” Hadley huffed. “Zip it already!”

“Yeah, yeah.”

Eric braced one hand on her waist while the other tugged the zipper upward. Yet, his gaze betrayed him, trailing

the path of the closing fabric, lingering on the soft, unbroken line of her back.

Such a beautiful, flawless back... unlike his own...

He squeezed his eyes shut, but the darkness behind his lids wasn’t empty. Blood-streaked memories surged

forward-gunfire, chaos, a sharp, searing pain.

His back throbbed, a phantom ache settling deep in his muscles.

“Are you finished?”

Hadley’s impatient voice snapped him back to reality. What was taking him so long?

“All set.”

Eric snapped back to reality and zipped up the last inch. The zipper stopped just below her shoulder blades,

leaving the elegant curve of her back bare.

His throat felt tight, heat creeping up his neck.

He looked away.

Hadley turned to face him, but he had already averted his gaze, his expression carefully composed.

Still, something about the moment made her uneasy. She ran a hand through her hair, trying to shake the

feeling.

The silence between them grew heavier by the second.

Hoping to cut through the tension, she forced a laugh. “Well... how does it look?”

Eric blinked, momentarily thrown. His gaze sharpened, studying her like he was seeing something new.

Hadley instantly regretted asking. Why did she even say that? The question felt stupid now, hanging awkwardly

between them.

“Hadley? Are you finished?”

Nyla’s voice floated in from outside the walk-in closet-a much-needed lifeline.

“Nyla!” Hadley practically lunged for the door. “Yeah, I'm done!”

But just as her fingers brushed the handle, a deep voice rolled through the quiet. “It’s stunning.”

Eric had finally answered.

Hadley froze but refused to turn around. Instead, she picked up her pace and slipped out the door.

Behind her, Eric remained still, his Adam’s apple dipping as he muttered under his breath, “Truly stunning.

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< Chapter 68 Truly Stunning

Outside. What's with you?”

Nyla’s gare facked over Hadley’s flushed face. Her brow lifted. “Why are you so red?”

Was it that obvious?

Hadley licked her lips, suddenly self-conscious. It’s nothing. | struggled with my zipper earlier, and it just...

threw the off

Nyla let out a light laugh. “That's it? So, did you manage to zip it up? Need shelp?”

“No, I'm good! Got it sorted!”

“Great Perfect timing-Kira wants us to taste-test the dishes. You in?”

“My pleasure!” Hadley nodded, eager for the distraction.

If Nyla ever found out she’d been alone with Eric in the walk-in closet, there'd be no way to explain it.

“Let’s go!

As they headed off, Eric stepped out of the closet, running a hand over his forehead. He stared at the door, still

puzzled. Why had Hadley bolted like that?

“Was she really that afraid of Grandma finding us together?”

Night settled over the city.

Unlike the intimate welcgathering weeks ago, tonight's celebration was a spectacle.

The Flynn Mansion, sprawling and opulent, easily accommodated the flood of guests.

A quick scan of the crowd confirmed it-nearly every influential family in the city had shown up, many bringing

their entire households

The grandeur was undeniable. The invitations had been clear: a lavish birthday banquet for Hadley, the adopted

daughter of the Flynn family.

Yet, at that moment, Hadley remained in her room.

Her makeup was flawless. All that was left was to step outside.

Hadley took a steadying breath, eyes locked on her reflection. Exhaling slowly, she pressed her lips together

before allowing a small smile to form.

She rose gracefully, gathering the hem of her skirt as she stepped out.

By now, Nyla and Eric had been welcoming guests for quite stime. As Hadley reached the staircase, the

hum of conversation and laughter wrapped around her, the energy of the banquet pulling her in

Upon scanning the room, Hadley’s gaze landed on Nyla. She started toward her-

“Hey there?” A cheerful voice cut through the noise.

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