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

Chapter 81 Being Rejected

Upset Him

Eric answered the call almost as soon as it rang.

His voice was deep, calm, and measured. “Hello there.”

Hadley held her phone a bit too tightly, her anxiety was evident. “It’s Hadley,” she said.

“Do you think | wouldn't recognize your voice?” Eric's reply carried a hint of amusement. “Is that all you called to

say?”

“No, there’s more,” Hadley responded.

She furrowed her brows, taking a deep breath. “I'm actually at Galant right now...”

“Is it about that issue?” Eric interjected before she could continue.

“I'm currently in the middle of something...”

There was a brief pause, probably as he gave instructions to someone else. Returning to the conversation, he

said, “If it's important, you should cand see me.”

Hadley tensed for a moment, but then accepted with a nod. “Okay.”

She hadn't truly believed a phone call would be persuasive.

“Where should | go?”

“Where else would | be at this hour but at the office?”

It wasn’t even five o'clock yet; naturally, Eric was still at his desk.

“Alright, I'm on my way,” Hadley answered.

She ended the call and hurried directly to the Flynn Group headquarters.

When Hadley arrived, the front desk blocked her path.

This wasn’t her first tat the Flynn Group.

However, it had been years since her regular visits to see Eric, and the front desk staff had completely changed.

No one recognized her now.

“I'm Hadley Pearson,” she said. “I'm here to see Mr. Flynn. He's expecting me.”

Recognition and warmth spread across the receptionist’s face as she replied, “Oh, Miss Pearson, yes! Mr. Flynn

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has informed us about your visit. Please, followthis way,”

“Thank you.”

Hadley was swiftly escorted via the private elevator to the executive floor.

A junior assistant guided her into the CEO's office. “Mr. Flynn, Miss Pearson has arrived.”

Eric, buried under a mountain of paperwork, didn’t look up as he gestured dismissively. “Thank you, that will be

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all.”

“Got it.” The assistant acknowledged.

With that, the assistant exited, leaving Hadley and Eric alone in the room.

Hadley noticed how busy he was and hesitated, unsure if she should interrupt. The last thing she wanted was to

frustrate him and make things even worse.

Quietly, she moved to the sofa and seated herself, opting to wait silently.

Her day’s agenda was already off track, so a bit more waiting seemed insignificant.

Fortunately, Eric was quick to conclude his tasks.

Before long, he set aside his papers, looked up, and rose from his desk. He then made his way towards her.

Instinctively, Hadley began to rise from her seat.

“Stay seated,” he instructed, motioning for her to remain where she was.

“There's no need to stand,” he added, as he took a seat opposite her, casually resting an arm on the back of the

sofa.

Looking directly at her, he inquired, “What brings you here? What's on your mind?”

Shouldn't he have known?

Her fingers nervously intertwined in her lap, tightly clenched. “I need to know why you've barredfrom

dancing at Galant.”

He laughed softly just as she finished speaking.

Hadley was stunned into stillness by his reaction.

Eric’s gaze intensified. “Why? Because | was turned down, and frankly, I'm not pleased about it.”

She caught her breath sharply.

It was as she suspected.

He had canceled her performances because she hadn't yielded to his demands.

Nothing had changed, he was as uncompromising as ever.

And the hardest part was her own helplessness in the situation. Here was Eric, the man who held sway over all of

Srixby

With great effort, Hadley suppressed her rising anger and disappointment, her lips pressed tightly together.

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“I misunderstood the situation. It’s my fault. | apologize...”

“There's no need for apologies,” Eric responded.

He straightened up, leaning in closer, his piercing gaze locking onto hers. “What I'm really after is you.”

His statement was clear and incisive, slicing through the tension.

Hadley tensed, feeling a sharp twist in her heart.

She stumbled over her words. “I...”

“Stop.”

Before she could continue, he interrupted.

He had to prevent her from finishing.

Eric grasped her thoughts effortlessly. “Are you sure you want to refuseagain?”

Hadley’s response halted in her throat.

Of course, she couldn't afford to.

Recalling how her previous refusal cost her a job at Galant, she feared what might follow another denial.

Remaining silent was her only option for now.

Her lack of response didn’t satisfy Eric, but it was preferable to her defiance. At least she retained a sense of

caution.

Eric checked his watch, a subtle smile appearing. “It’s getting late. | could use something to eat.”

He rose to his feet and faced Hadley.

“Hadley, chave dinner with me.”

Surprised, Hadley’s head jerked up. Was he really shifting the topic to dinner now?

Eric quirked an eyebrow. “You're not coming? Would you rather upsetmore?”

“Certainly not!”

Hadley responded quickly, her uncertainty apparent as she bit her lip. “If | join you for dinner, will that mean |

can return to dancing at Galant?”

Eric let out a sharp tsk, clearly annoyed. “Are we bargaining over dinner now? Hadley, was there ever a time

when you weren't so disagreeable?”

Disagreeable?

Hadley felt a jolt of shock.

If she was so disagreeable, why did he claim he wanted her around?

It was obvious he had other motives!

“Let's go,” Eric said, striding forward before Hadley could protest further.

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“Hurry up!”

With no alternative, Hadley quickly followed Eric.

As they settled into the car, Eric inquired, “What are you in the mood to eat?”

“Anything’s good,” Hadley replied noncommittally.

Eric showed a flash of annoyance. “You need to choose something specific when asked.”

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Caught off guard, Hadley faltered, unsure of how to respond.

From behind the wheel, Sebastian replied, “Mr. Flynn, it's been quite stsince she was last in Srixby. She

might not be familiar with the current dining spots.”

“Understood.”

Eric gave a brief nod, accepting the insight. “Then I'll pick the place. Cozy Room it is.”

He turned to Hadley. “I'm in the mood for their menu tonight. Is that alright?”

“Yes, that works.” Hadley agreed swiftly, wondering if her opinion truly mattered.

They arrived at Cozy Room shortly thereafter.

Eric secured a private room and proceeded to order for them both.

Reading out the dishes he chose to Hadley, he asked, “Do these selections appeal to you?”

“Yes,” she responded, maintaining her easygoing facade. “Everything sounds great.”

“Good.” Eric concluded the order and passed the menu back to the waiter. “And bring a bottle of your house

wine, please.”

Was he planning to drink tonight?

Hadley quietly hoped that the meal might lift Eric's spirits.

As the dishes were served, they faced each other across the table.

Eric ate with effortless grace, switching between bites of steak and slow sips of wine. His appetite was clearly

strong. In stark contrast, Hadley could barely taste her food, each mouthful feeling more laborious than the last.

“Why aren’t you eating?”

Eric noted her full plate.

Caught off guard, Hadley murmured, “Ah...”

He exhaled, rose from his chair, and approached her. Skillfully, he took her cutlery and began slicing her steak

into smaller, more manageable pieces.

Handing back the knife and fork, he instructed, “There, try now.”

He returned to his seat with a smirk. “Were you planning to starve unless | assisted?”

Dumbfounded, Hadley couldn't respond. That was certainly not her plan.

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What was going through his mind?

Once they finished eating, Eric got up. “I've had enough. Let's go.”

Hadley quickly placed her glass on the table and stood to follow.

Eric, however, staggered unexpectedly, leaning heavily into her.

“Eric!” Hadley exclaimed, catching him in surprise.

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Seizing the moment, Eric wrapped his arms around her, smiling triumphantly as he leaned into her support.