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

Chapter 72 Do You Find Him Agreeable

Upon hearing that, Hadley becsilent.

With a tone of displeasure, Colleen exclaimed, “I can’t believe you'd keep something this important from me! If

| hadn’t pushed Mathias, would you have ever told me?”

“I...” Hadley stumbled over her words, feeling remorseful. “I... I'm sorry. It wasn’t my intention to keep it from

you.”

“But you did!”

Colleen understood Hadley all too well.

Hadley definitely didn’t have the money, yet she still refrained from asking for help.

Frustrated, Colleen asked, “Don’t you seeas a friend?”

“That's not the case,” Hadley responded hastily. “It’s exactly because you are my friend that | find it hard to ask

for help.”

Colleen had been so generous already. Hadley didn’t want to take advantage of their friendship and keep

burdening Colleen. The thought of continually asking for more was simply unbearable.

“Colleen, I'm already in your debt more than | can say.”

“Don’t be foolish... It's for Joy. How could | not help?” Colleen let out a sigh. “The surgery will cost half a million.

If not from me, where would you get that kind of money?”

Tears began to well up in Hadley’s eyes once more as they rolled down her cheeks. “Colleen... how can | ever

repay you?”

“There's no hurry,” Colleen responded with a laugh, light and carefree as always. “You'll have plenty of tto

payback.”

She added, “I made this call to ease your mind about the money for the surgery. I've taken care of it.”

Overcwith emotion, Hadley could only whisper in a raspy voice, “Colleen... thank you.”

Sdebts were too deep to be repaid with mere words.

Colleen’s voice softened as she too becemotional. “Enough of this now. I've said what | needed to say. It's

late over there-go get srest.”

“Okay.”

“Just one more thing,” Colleen added tenderly. “Hadley, happy birthday.”

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“Thank you.”

When the conversation ended, tears continued to cascade down Hadley’s cheeks.

The festivity of her birthday party earlier paled in comparison to the heartfelt wishes from her daughter and

her closest friend.

With everything now in place, Hadley felt a mix of relief and guilt. Joy's surgery was funded, thanks to Colleen,

and they would soon be reunited.

The next day, Hadley woke up late.

She looked around and saw no sign of Eric, which brought a sigh of relief from her.

After the previous night's events, she was uncertain of his motives behind that kiss-whether they stemmed from

genuine emotion or mere impulse. Either way, she preferred not to encounter him again.

During breakfast, she inquired of the housekeeper, Kira.

“Kira, has Nyla gone out today?”

“Mrs. Flynn left for a medical checkup just a little while ago.”

A checkup?

Hadley’s expression clouded for a moment.

She had been staying at the Flynn hfor several days and felt it was tto leave. Yet, with Nyla absent,

departing without bidding farewell seemed improper.

Her day was packed with activities: a filming session in the morning, dance practice at Galant in the afternoon,

followed by a performance in the evening.

This meant she needed to spend another night at the Flynn estate.

After her meal, Hadley cleaned up and left for her busy day.

Her schedule was relentless. By the end of her performance at Galant, fatigue had fully taken hold.

Fortunately, Eric had not appeared all day.

Once she had wiped off her makeup and changed clothes, Hadley exited the main doors of Galant.

“Hadley!” There, across the street, stood Denver beside a sleek silver Pagani, his suit crisp, his smile inviting as

he waved.

What was he doing here?

Denver quickly crossed the street towards her. “Just got off work? Letdrive you home,” he said as he

approached.

“Um...” Hadley was hesitant. “Thanks, but Ill just grab a taxi.”

Denver persisted, however. “Do you often take a cab home?”

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Chapter 72 Do You Find Him Agreeable

Hadley gave a nod. “Yes, | can handle it-"

“Letgive you a ride,” Denver suggested, gesturing towards his car. “It’s late, and now that I've seen you, |

can’t in good conscience let you travel alone.”

Noticing Hadley hesitating, Denver playfully added, “Miss Pearson, my family is well-regarded and I'm a

gentleman myself. You're safe with me; | assure you.”

Amused by his playful words, Hadley finally gave in. “Okay, | accept your offer. Thanks for the lift.”

“It’s absolutely no trouble-happy to do it.”

Once they were in the car, Denver drove toward Flynn Mansion.

During the ride, Hadley asked, “I didn’t catch it earlier during my performance-were you out tonight with

friends?”

“Not exactly friends,” Denver replied, shaking his head. “I was accompanying scolleagues from work.”

Eager to clarify, he explained, “It was just a networking event. Srixby has its quirks-business often unfolds in

recreational settings. Being freshly back in town, I'm still getting used to the pace here.”

“Mm,” Hadley responded, smiling understandingly.

Though she didn’t know much about business, she had a hunch. “Perhaps it's simply a matter of different

cultural norms. Blathe and Srixby each have their unique appeal...”

This reference to Blathe sparked a lively conversation, and they chatted comfortably for the remainder of the

journey.

Upon arrival at Flynn Mansion, Denver exited the car first and held the passenger door open for Hadley. “Here we

are,” he said.

“Thank you,” Hadley said as she stepped out.

Denver pointed towards the mansion, noting the time. “It’s late, so I'll stay out here. | don’t want to wake Mrs.

Flynn.”

“Alright then...” Hadley waved. “I'll go in then. Thanks again for the ride.”

“Anytime,” Denver replied, smiling as he watched her enter the mansion before he returned to his car.

Hadley got back before 10 PM tonight, which wasn’t particularly late.

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At this hour, Nyla was probably already in bed. Hadley tiptoed through the living room, trying to be as silent as

possible.

“Hadley, is that you?”

Nyla’s voice carried through the silence.

Hadley stopped momentarily, and then responded, “Yes, Nyla. I'm here.”

“Perfect timing! Cover here.”

“Okay.”

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Chapter 72 Do You Find Him Agreeable

As Hadley drew near, she found Nyla up, enjoying slate-night snacks. To her surprise, Eric was there too,

sitting opposite Nyla.

“Hadley, join us,” Nyla said warmly. “Have ssoup to warm you up.”

Then, giving Eric a meaningful look, she instructed, “What are you waiting for? Eric, go get Hadley ssoup.”

“Got it.”

Eric rose without a word to Hadley and walked to the kitchen.

Hadley consciously avoided looking his way, focusing her attention straight ahead.

She settled next to Nyla, placing her hands politely on her lap. “It’s late. | thought you were asleep by now.”

Nyla gave a chuckle, her eyes twinkling mischievously. “If | went to bed too early, I'd miss all the excitement,

wouldn't I?”

Hadley murmured, puzzled, “What excitement?”

“Hmm?”

With a playful smile, Nyla set aside her bowl and gently took Hadley’s hand.

“Still keeping things from me?” she chided playfully. “Tell me, who was the young man who dropped you off

earlier?”

After a brief pause, Hadley answered, “Oh, that was Denver.”

Knowing that the Flynn residence was equipped with security cameras, Hadley wasn’t shocked that Nyla knew.

However, the fact that Nyla was probing felt a bit odd.

“Yes, that’s him,” Nyla said, smiling knowingly. “What's your impression of him? Do you find him agreeable?”

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