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

< Too Late, Mr. Billionaire You Can't AffordNow Chapter 35 A Mistake Did Hadley smile at Marshall like this when they were in Nyla's ward the other day? At the time, Eric only saw a quick side view of Hadley, but now he realized this was what Marshall must have witnessed in full.

His gaze sharpened as he studied Hadley's seemingly unfocused look. “Do you even recognize me?* Could she have confused him with Marshall? After all, it was Marshall who had accompanied Hadley back to the hotel today.

Eric's expression grew even sterner.

"You?" Yet, as she looked into Eric's intense, contemplative eyes, Hadley chuckled lightly. "I know you. You're Eric. My dearest Eric." A knot formed in Eric's throat as he observed her rosy cheeks.

Hadley must be intoxicated.

That was the only explanation why she even referred to him in such an endearing way, reminiscent of when she had first becpart of the Flynn household.

Even while drunk, Hadley's recognition of Eric was clear.

Feeling a strange surge of warmth, Eric extended his hand to her, his voice deep and resonant. "Why did you have to drink so much? Let's get you up." "No!" Hadley exclaimed as Eric reached out. She backed away, her expression wary.

"Don't touch me!" she insisted, shaking her head emphatically.

"Hey," Marshall intervened, laughing lightly. "Looks like Hadley's still sharp, even a bit tipsy. She's keeping her boundaries clear." "Shut up," Eric retorted, glaring at Marshall. "This isn't your moment. Why did you even let her drink?" "Me?" Marshall raised his hands defensively. "Okay, okay, it was my fault. Now what?" Eric was at a loss for a moment. It was good that Hadley was cautious, yet her heightened defensiveness was a challenge.

After a brief pause, Eric removed his tie, coiling one end around his hand thoughtfully. He extended the other end towards Hadley. "Grab this.” "What are you doing?" Hadley was suspicious, hugging her arms tightly across her chest.

0.0% 19.19 < Chapter 35 A Mistake Eric let out a frustrated sigh. "Look, I promise not to touch you. I'll use this tie to lead you. Aren't you exhausted? Let's get you to your room." "Yeah, I am tired," Hadley replied with a weary nod. She extended her right hand with sreluctance. Eric fastened one end of the tie around Hadley's wrist and pulled gently to check its firmness.

Once satisfied, he said, "Okay, we can go now." "Let's go," Hadley murmured in agreement, her voice low and weary.

They proceeded with Eric adjusting his steps to stay in sync with hers, casting frequent concerned looks her way.

Behind them, Marshall stood rooted in place, his eyes wide with disbelief.

"Is this a dream?” Marshall muttered to himself, utterly astonished.

Never had he seen Eric display such enduring patience.

Eric had arranged for Phillips to secure a room just across from his own.

Guiding Hadley gently, he escorted her into the room.

As soon as Eric released the tie from her wrist, Hadley's balance faltered, and she sank heavily onto the sofa.

Her body relaxed deeply into the cushions, and her eyelids drooped, struggling to remain open.

Eric's expression darkened. “Don't sleep on the couch. Use the bed." "No, no!" Hadley's eyes flew open as she protested. "I'll stay on the couch. I don't want to disturb your bed." His frown deepened, his tone becoming stern. "Do you really think I'm that fussy?" What harm could she do to his bed? "Indeed!" Hadley confirmed, nodding earnestly.

"Others might not see it, but I know how much you dislike havingaround." "Hadley..." Eric's voice softened.

Chuckling lightly, Hadley nestled deeper into the sofa, her eyelids drooping again. "Here is fine for me,” she whispered.

"Hadley?" Eric persisted, trying to keep her awake. "Stay up. Let's talk." "Too noisy!" Hadley complained, brushing him off with a hand wave. "I just need ssleep." Was she irritated with him? Eric shook his head, a half-smile creeping onto his face. "What's the use of arguing with a drunk?" He pondered. "Are you really going to sleep without even showering?" "A shower?" 19:19 Chapter 35 A Mistake Hadley's mind was foggy, her thoughts slow to conned. Abnoyty, the laced forwed, dosing the distance between her and Eric.

"Do I smell bad?" she asked, almost nose to nose with Eric Eric's pulse quickened. What was she doing so close? He recolled quickly, his face harboring, "Tene, up you distance and speak properly!" Unaware of Eric's discomfort, Hadley pulled at her shirt's collar. "Go on, smell. I'm not offendive, an Reluctantly, Eric conceded with a resigned sigh. "Alright, alright. You smell fine. Actually, you smell quite nice" Hadley's laughter rang out, her mood evidently lifted. "See? I'm as fresh as a daisy, no shower rested She gestured towards Eric, her voice slurring slightly. "Night-nigh, c The tie from Eric's earlier attempt to guide her still dangled from her wrist Eric found himself at a loss for words, managing only a stuttered, “Goodtiga” as he watched her Before she knew it, Hadley had drifted into a deep sleep on the sofa.

Eric glanced at her peaceful, slightly smiling face and couldn't help but let a small smile form on his ey Almost instinctively, his hand moved towards her cheek However, just as his fingertips were about to brush her skin, he stopped himself, a sudden reminder flashing in his mind: Hadley detested being touched.

He quickly withdrew his hand.

What was going through his mind? Did he genuinely feel compelled to touch Hadley? Could he have lost his senses? Quickly, Eric left the room as confusion overwhelmed him.

He urged himself to relax.

"Throughout our marriage, I never felt inclined to touch her. What's different now? It must be an peculiarity." Eric pondered.

As morning light began to filter through the curtains, Hadley awoke.

This was her first experience with hard liquor, leaving her with a slight headache. As she rubbed her forehead, her eyes caught sight of the tie still wrapped around her wrist.

A man's tie? Whom did it belong to? Memories began to trickle back.

She gasped, her hand covering her mouth. "Could it be? Eric?" But that seemed unlikely.

54.1% 19:19 Chapter 35 A Mistake The man from last night had been too kind. Eric was never that considerate.

It must be Marshall then.

He was the one who had given her a ride and even bought her dinner.

The more she considered it, the clearer it became. It had to be Marshall.

After a refreshing shower, Hadley felt more composed.

She took the room key and stepped into the hallway just as Eric-andm Marshall cout of their rooms En: opposite hers.

Eric avoided making eye contact, maintaining his typical distant demeanor.

Yet, it was Marshall who greeted her with a warm smile. "Good morning, Hadley. Did you end up drinking my you feeling?" vodka last nig".

"Ah, so it really was Marshall." Hadley concluded with a sense of relief.

She returned the smile. “A bit of a headache, but I'm okay." Approaching him, she ded, "Marshall, thank you for looking out forlast night and arranging t om." Eric stood there, his expression a mix of confusion and annoyance. What was she talking about?

"I was the one who took care of her and arranged the room. Is she really forgetting all that just after one night?" Eric wondered, his irritation mounting. Marshall, sensing the confusion, began to intervene.

He cleared his throat, preparing to correct the misunderstanding. "Hadley, about last night..." Too Late, Mr. Billionaire: You Can't AffordNow Chapter 3