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

Chapter 71 Was He Completely Out Of His Mi...

At that moment, Denver's phone began to ring-it was a call from one of his friends.

“You should probably take that.” Hadley saw this and offered a warm smile.

“Right, | guess | should.”

As he stood, Denver paused briefly, and then took a deep breath. “Hadley, could we swap numbers?”

The request seemed perfectly natural.

“Absolutely,” Hadley responded cheerily, reaching for her phone. They exchanged contact information.

“Great.” Denver's face lit up with a broad grin, his happiness evident. He waved to her, saying, “See you

around.” “Sure, see you around.”

The birthday celebration buzzed with energy, enhanced by Nyla’s adept hosting, which ensured satisfaction

among all attendees.

As the evening wound down and Nyla felt exhausted, it was Eric, with Hadley by his side, who saw off the guests.

From afar, Denver caught Hadley’s gaze as he departed with his family. He flashed a smile and subtly raised his

phone-a quiet prompt to keep in contact.

Hadley responded with a gentle smile and a nod of recognition.

Unbeknownst to her, this brief interaction did not escape the attention of the man next to her...

With the last guests departed, the night wound down.

Hadley exhaled a soft sigh of relief and massaged her neck, ready to head upstairs.

The night had been long and tiring. She planned a brief dance practice, followed by a bath and bed.

As she reached the second floor, a soft, mocking chuckle cfrom the man accompanying her.

Hadley raised her eyes, her expression one of surprise.

Eric, looking downwards, scoffed coldly, “Seems like you really enjoyed yourself.”

“Huh?” She blinked, puzzled. What prompted that comment?

“What's got you so happy?”

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She chose to remain silent, yet Eric persisted. “Con, share with me.”

His mocking tone caused Hadley to scowl. “It’s my birthday, isn’t it? Shouldn't | be allowed a little happiness, or

am | supposed to be miserable?”

“Hadley!” In a sudden move, Eric's voice dropped to a growl as he grasped her waist and pushed her against the

wall.

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He even hoisted her up a bit!

Hadley found herself hoisted off the floor, her back against the chill of the wall.

Before she could respond, his face was suddenly very close, and then-his lips met hers!

With no hesitation or warning, the heat of his lips pressed firmly against hers, claiming them while his breath

mingled with hers.

Shock widened Hadley’s eyes, her mind reeling. Her hands clenched into fists, trembling.

What the hell was he doing?

“Mm-1"

The shock turned to realization, and she stiffened, starting to push back against him.

Eric's strength was overwhelming-she couldn't pull away.

In desperation, she took the only action left to her-she bit him, hard.

“Ugh!” Eric’s pained grunt filled the air as he let go. The taste of blood tinged his mouth-she had made him

bleed.

“You bit me?”

Hadley was still reeling from the shock. Her lips-formerly adorned with lipstick- were now slightly swollen and

shining under the ambient lighting.

“Eric, are you completely out of your mind? What the hell are you thinking?!”

Had he actually just kissed her?

“What did you just say?” Eric halted abruptly, his eyes narrowing. Was he out of his mind for having kissed her?

A sinister spark appeared in his eyes. Without a second thought, he reached out for her once more.

“Stay away from me!”

Fear began to seep into Hadley as she trembled, retreating hastily before suddenly turning to flee.

“Hadley!”

Ignoring him completely, she sprinted towards her bedroom. She reached her door, flung it open, and slammed it

shut once she was inside.

“Hadley!”

Eric followed close behind but found the door slammed in his face. His hand hovered, tempted to knock, but he

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Chapter 71 Was He Completely Out Of His Mind

restrained himself, not wanting to disturb Nyla.

A chilling laugh escaped from his lips, carrying a sharp edge. His eyes, half-closed, shimmered with a menacing

light.

Did she really think she could escape him?

As soon as Hadley entered her room, her legs gave out, and she fell to the floor.

She raised her hands to her lips, rubbing them desperately as she whispered to herself, “No... no way...”

Her body shook violently, overwhelmed with fear that blazed through her like an uncontrolled fire. This was pure

fear, not just shock.

Eric had kissed her.

Why? What was his intention?

Hadley struggled to understand it. The thought repulsed her, and she pushed herself to her feet, staggering

towards the bathroom. She grabbed her toothbrush and started to brush her teeth.

Over and over, she scrubbed. Once, twice, relentlessly.

She was desperate to scrub away his touch, to rid her mouth of any trace of him.

Out of nowhere, her phone vibrated in her pocket.

A call from Colleen appeared on the screen.

Taking a deep breath, Hadley composed herself and pressed the answer button. “Hello?”

To her surprise, it wasn’t Colleen on the line but a cheerful little voice instead.

“Hi, Mommy!”

“Joy?!” Hadley gasped, emotion overwhelming her as tears began to form. “Oh, Joy, my sweet baby...”

“Mommy!”

Her daughter's voice was tender and full of life, radiating warmth. “Is it night there? Are you getting ready for

bed, Mommy?”

In Srixby, it was closing in on midnight, while it was morning in Blathe, just after 10 a.m.

“Yes, that’s right.” Hadley managed a laugh, though her voice was laden with tears. “Joy, you're so clever. Are

you just up? Did you have a good sleep?”

“Yes!” Joy's voice bubbled over the phone. “I've been awake for a bit! Auntie Colleen visited, and I told her |

wanted to talk to you!”

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“Really?” Hadley’s heart warmed at her daughter's initiative. “Did you call because you miss Mommy?”

“Yes!” Joy's tone softened even more. “It’s your birthday today, Mommy. Happy birthday!”

The emotion caught in Hadley’s throat, a mixture of joy and sorrow swelling within her.

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Her precious daughter called to wish her a happy birthday!

Hadley fought back tears, trying to maintain her composure. “Thank you, Joy... thank you, my sweetheart.”

“You don’t need to thank me, Mommy,” Joy explained with a seriousness beyond her years. “If there was no

Mommy, there would be no Joy!”

At that moment, Hadley couldn't hold back any longer.

Tears streamed down her cheeks as she was overwhelmed by emotion. “Oh, my little one... my dear...”

Joy could hear the distress. “Mommy, please don’t cry! Joy loves Mommy so much!”

Choking back tears, Hadley managed to say, “Mommy loves you more, my baby.”

“Mommy...” Joy’s plaintive whimper was heart-wrenching. “I miss you so much. When are you coming to pick me

up?”

Hadley paused, feeling a deep ache in her heart.

She wash't financially ready yet to bring her daughter home.

“Very soon,” she promised, voice gentle but firm. “Please be a good girl, listen to Dr. Williams and Auntie

Colleen. Mommy is doing everything she can, and I'll be there to get you before you know it.”

“Oh...” Joy sounded a bit downcast, but her innate good nature shone through.

“Okay! I'll be good. | promise! Now I'm giving the phone to Auntie Colleen.”

“Thank you, sweetheart. | love you.”

There was a slight rustling noise, and then a different voice cthrough. “Hadley.”

Colleen was now on the line.

“Colleen... thank you so much,” Hadley said, her voice laden with gratitude.

She knew without asking-Colleen had set up this call.

Joy was still too young and frail, hardly old enough to remember her own birthday, let alone her mother’s. She

wouldn't have known about today without help.

“What are you thankingfor? There's no need for formalities. Aren't we friends?” Colleen responded lightly,

and then shifted the conversation. “Hey, regarding the funds for Joy’s surgery, do you have everything covered?”

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Too Late, Mr. Billionaire: You Can't AffordNow