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

Chapter 75 Is Your

Affection Really That Eas.....

Hadley kept her eyes forward, refusing to glance across the street as she slipped into Denver's car without a

second thought.

From a distance, Eric watched the vehicle pull away. He didn’t say a word, but his grip on his phone tightened,

the plastic casing groaning under the pressure.

As they cruised down the road, Denver shot Hadley a quick glance before nodding toward the back seat.

“There's a bag behind you. Can you grab it for me?”

“Sure.”

Hadley hesitated for a beat before reaching back. The bag was heavier than she expected, its weight stirring her

curiosity.

Her fingers tightened around the strap. “Wantto open it?”

“Go ahead.”

“Okay.”

Inside sat an insulated container, the kind used for takeout.

Hadley popped the lid open, and the familiar scent of sweet pumpkin soup filled the car.

She frowned slightly and glanced up. “Denver, what's this for?”

Denver chuckled. “Pumpkin soup. Isn't it your favorite, Hadley?”

“It is.”

Memories flickered-Denver had brought her the ssoup once before.

That time, she never got to taste it. Eric had made sure of that.

“Go on and have some,” Denver urged. Catching her hesitation, he nodded toward the container. “I got it just for

you,”

Hadley felt a flicker of embarrassment, uncertain if Denver had gone out of his way intentionally.

She couldn't ignore it-the subtle pull of his interest, faint but unmistakable.

Someone like Denver, a regular at Galant, reminded her too much of Duran. He had once looked at her the

sway.

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Chapter 75 Is Your Affection Really That Easy To CBy

But things were different now. She no longer had to make desperate choices. With Joy’s medical expenses taken

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care of, Hadley had no reason to sell herself ever again. That part of her life was over.

Denver watched her hesitate, his brows knitting slightly. “What's wrong? You don't like it?”

“Not exactly.”

Realizing she'd drifted too far into her thoughts, Hadley quickly forced a small smile. “I just didn’t want your car

smelling like soup.”

“What?”

Denver arched an eyebrow, amusement flickering in his eyes. “A little sweetness in the air never hurt anyone,

Hadley.”

Caught off guard by his easygoing response, she let out a soft laugh. “Well, in that case, | won't hold back.”

“Be my guest.”

As Hadley lifted the lid, a warm, creamy scent drifted up, wrapping around her like a comforting embrace. She

inhaled deeply, savoring it before taking a spoonful.

Hadley took a spoonful, letting the warm, rich soup melt on her tongue. A satisfied murmur escaped her. “It's

delicious.”

“Glad to hear it.” Denver glanced at her, catching the way her expression softened. His lips curved into a small

smile, warmth settling quietly in his chest.

When they reached Mayfield Road, Denver eased the car to a stop as Hadley asked.

Hadley stepped out of the car, smoothing her skirt as she turned back. “This is my stop. Thanks for the ride.”

Denver raised a brow, clearly caught off guard. “You live around here?” He'd assumed she stayed at the Flynn

Mansion.

“1 do,” Hadley admitted.

“I was just visiting Nyla after her surgery. But I'm not actually part of the Flynn family, so | can’t stay there

forever.”

Something in Denver's chest eased at her words.

So, she wasn't tied to Eric after all.

His lips curved into an easy smile. “That makes sense.”

“Alright, Ill head in now.” Hadley lifted a hand in farewell. “Drive safe. Goodnight.”

“Goodnight.”

Without another glance, she turned and disappeared into the alley.

The dim glow of her phone screen guided her up the worn-out stairs to the fifth floor. At her door, she slid the

key into the lock, pushed it open, and flicked on the lights.

As she stepped inside, she reached back to close the door-

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Bang!

Chapter 75 Is Your Affection Really That Easy To CBy

A hand slammed against the wood, stopping it cold.

Startled, Hadley froze-

Eric stood right in front of her. His lips were drawn into a tight line, eyes locked onto her with an intensity that

sent a shiver down her spine.

“Didn’t | tell you to wait for me? What made you think getting into someone else’s car was a good idea?”

Before she could respond, his hand shot forward, grasping her chin. “What, were you too polite to say no? Acting

like that only invites trouble.

Had he seen everything?

What was he even talking about, though?

Hadley blinked, confusion spilling from her before she could stop it. “It wasn’t about being polite, Eric. | got into

his car because | wanted to-"

Hadley opened her mouth to speak, but before she could finish, Eric’s grip on her chin tightened. A sharp

pressure forced a pained gasp from her.

His gaze dropped, dark and unreadable. Then, in a low, mocking tone, he asked, “You actually wanted to leave

with him? Do you even hear yourself right now?”

His eyes remained locked on hers, his voice a chilling blend of amusement and something far more menacing.

Hadley swallowed hard, fighting to keep her composure. “Why does it even matter to you, Eric? | can ride in his

car if | want to.”

“Hadley!”

Eric's patience finally snapped, his voice sharp with frustration. “I told you | was coming to get you!”

“I never asked you to,” Hadley snapped, lifting her chin in defiance. “I don’t need you. Don’t ever pull something

like that again.”

For a moment, disbelief flickered across Eric's face. He stood frozen, speechless.

Did she really just say she didn’t need him?

A humorless laugh escaped Eric, his gaze sharpening, “Don’t tellyou actually like Denver. Is that it?”

“Yes!” Hadley’s response was immediate, unwavering.

She then repeated herself, her voice firm, “That's right, Eric. | like Denver. What's the problem?”

“You...”

Eric froze, a cold fire sparking in his eyes. “Repeat what you said.”

Hadley stood her ground, unfazed.

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She met his stare with equal intensity

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Chapter 75 Is Your Affection Really That Easy To CBy

“I said | like Denver. He's a great guy, comes from a good family, and he treatswell. Even Nyla thinks we're a

perfect match.”

“Stop! That's enough!”

Eric's voice cracked with fury, his anger rising like a storm. Each word she said about Denver felt like a sharp jab.

Fighting to keep his composure, Eric stared at her, his face a mask of control. “So now you suddenly like Denver?

Is your affection really that easy to cby? Will you latch onto any man who shows you attention?”

A few days ago, she'd claimed to have feelings for Duran. And now Denver?

The thought stoked a simmering rage inside Eric.

“Hadley, weren't you the one who said you had feelings for me?”

His voice dropped, dark and edged, as he pulled her into his chest, holding her tightly.

“You've been intofor years! Are you really saying what you feel for Denver is even close to what you once

felt for me?”

Eric gently cupped her face, a gesture that made her heart twist in recognition.

As Eric leaned in to kiss her, Hadley quickly turned her head, narrowly avoiding him.

“Hadley?” Eric's expression darkened, a mix of confusion and anger flickering across his face. She was avoiding

him?

Breathing unevenly, Hadley held his gaze, her face torn between fear and defiance.

“Yes, | used to like you, Eric. But wasn’t it you who pushedaway? Weren't you the one who made it clear you

couldn’t stand me?”

Eric froze, his shock evident.

He couldn't deny it.

Yes, he had hated her once.

But now, things had changed and the words were caught in his throat. Sensing his moment of weakness, Hadley

shoved him with every ounce of strength she had, pushing him back out of the apartment.

“Leave,” she spat. “And don’t cback!”

The door slammed shut with a deafening thud, reverberating through the hallway.

On the other side, Eric stood motionless, staring at the door, his body frozen in disbelief.

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