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

Chapter 63 | Understand Your Gratitude

Even with his biting remarks, Eric moved closer and gently lifted Hadley into his arme

“Make sure you hold on,” he instructed. “Don’t slip.*

Hadley stayed quiet, resting against him.

Upon seeing her cooperate, a slight smile appeared on Eric’s face. It was good she could follow directions when

necessary.

He helped her into the car and fastened her seatbelt securely.

Hadley tried to speak, her voice raspy. “I...”

“What now?” Eric quickly glanced at her, his tone brisk. “Don’t start saying you don’t need my assistance.”

“No.” Hadley paused, and then decisively shook her head.

Her previous annoyances with him remained, yet she was truly grateful that he had cto her assistance

tonight.

Averting her eyes, she murmured softly, her voice nearly inaudible, “Thank you... for your help.”

A brief spark of something softer flashed through Eric's eyes, stirring something within him.

He gave a wry smile. “You're welcome.” Before she could say more, he interjected, “Save your voice. The docto

was clear about resting it. | understand your gratitude.”

He closed the car door behind her, made his way to the driver's side, and drove her back to her residence.

Lennon had granted Hadley a couple of days off, so she didn’t have to return to work anytsoon.

In the meantime, Eric paid a visit to Nyla at the sanatorium.

“Arrived at the right time, | see.”

Nyla had been anxious about Hadley’s supposed boyfriend. She seized Eric's wrist urgently and inquired, “Ha

you checked into him? What's the story with Hadley’s boyfriend?”

“Grandma.” Eric's face held a mix of triumph and underlying annoyance. “Drop it. That chapter is closed.”

“Closed?” Nyla’s expression showed confusion. “But Hadley said he was good to her.”

“Good to her?” Eric let out a derisive snort, his voice laden with scorn. “The man’s practically old enough to her

father, and he has children-"

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Chapter 631 Understand Your Gratitude

“What?! No, that’s unacceptable!” Nyla interrupted, her expression turning stern before Eric could continue.

“Hadley’s lost her senses. With her qualities, she could pick anyone. Why settle for someone like that?”

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Eric felt a surge of satisfaction when his grandmother echoed his sentiments.

“That's right. | never supported it.”

“Good.” Nyla gave a nod of approval, and then continued, “Make sure you deal with this correctly. Can Hadley be

persuaded by you? If not, I'll have a word with her.”

“There's no need for that,” Eric interjected, raising his hand to reassure her. “Focus on your recovery. I've taken

care of everything. It's already over between them.”

“Is that so?” Nyla’s tension eased upon hearing this. “That's reassuring... It seems Hadley still retains some

judgment.”

Eric chose not to respond. Sjudgment?

Without his intervention, that headstrong girl would have continued her misguided course.

“Eric,” Nyla said, looking at him with approval. “You've managed this situation well. Continue to watch over

Hadley like this, will you?”

“Understood, Grandma.”

After leaving the sanatorium, Eric drove directly to West 12th Street. The trunk of his car was filled with items

his grandmother had put together for Hadley-a convenient excuse for his visit.

When he arrived and knocked, Hadley was already in the kitchen, making herself ssoup.

The soup was the only thing she could manage. Her throat ached severely, making swallowing any solid food a

chore. The consistency of the soup was crucial-they couldn’t be too thick, or she'd struggle to eat.

At the sound of the knock, she approached the door, opening it to see Eric, arms laden with multiple bags.

There he was again.

“Step back,” he commanded, barging past her as he entered.

He dropped the bags on the entryway caband turned to see her puzzled expression.

“What?” His brow furrowed. “Why that look?”

Hadley gestured towards the bags.

Eric cleared his throat, his demeanor slightly uncomfortable..“These are from Grandma. You think I'd chere

by choice? It's so cramped there’s hardly room to move!”

Despite his grumbling, he made himself comfortable on the sofa, sprawling out.

He grabbed a cup of water from the table and took a large swallow.

Hadley meant to intervene, but it was already too late-he had used her cup again.

When he set the cup down, he realized his misstep. Yet rather than showing embarrassment, he simply

quirked an eyebrow at her.

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“What? There aren’t any other cups. Did you expectto visit and not have a drink of water?”

Hadley’s eyes dropped, and she chose to remain quiet.

“You-"

Suddenly, another knock interrupted Eric, reverberating through the room.

Both turned their heads, their expressions mirroring confusion. Who could it be now?

Hadley approached the door and pulled it open, revealing Duran on the other side.

She opened her mouth to speak, her voice raspy and weak. “Mr. Murray...”

“Hadley.” Duran managed a strained smile, his eyes immediately noticing the medicinal patch on her throat.

“This is my fault. I'm sorry you were injured.”

Instinctively, Hadley touched her throat, shaking her head slightly.

She moved to let him in.

“No, that’s fine.” Duran caught her intention, offering a weak smile in return. “I won't enter. | just need to say

a few things, and then I'll leave.”

Hadley paused, but then nodded slightly.

She had an inkling about what was coming.

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Their secret relationship couldn’t remain hidden any longer, especially after his daughter's outburst. It was only

a matter of tbefore his son would take actions as well.

“Hadley, I'm truly sorry.” Duran’s voice was somber. “We need to pause our arrangement for now.”

As she had anticipated.

Hadley froze briefly, her eyelashes fluttering as she absorbed his words. “Okay.”

She knew he didn’t need to make this visit. Their relationship was strictly business; there were no emotional

debts.

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Though things didn’t work out in the end, she still held a deep respect for Duran. And he had always respected

her in his way.

Hadley gently touched her throat again, mustering the strength to respond. “It’s... okay. | don’t... hold this

against you.”

“Hadley...”

Duran gazed into her eyes, his own betraying a hint of reluctance to part ways.

Attempting one more time, he asked, “Could you... possibly wait for me? After everything calms down at home,

maybe we can—"

“Ah, and who might this be?”

An unhurried, resonant voice interrupted.

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From within the apartment, a formidable presence appeared. The man’s height alone seemed to dwarf Duran.

His demeanor wasn’t overtly hostile, yet his presence was overwhelmingly commanding

When Duran caught sight of his face, he stopped short.

His face registered surprise. “M... Mr. Flynn?”

Eric gave a slight nod, his expression molding into a courteous yet tight smile. “Mr. Murray, our paths cross

once more.”

“You...” Duran’s eyes darted between Eric and Hadley, confused. “You two...?"”

What was Eric doing here?

During his past visits to Galant, whispers had circulated about Eric's particular interest in Hadley. Was he here to

rekindle whatever they had?

Duran kept his thoughts to himself, while Eric seemed indifferent to explaining

Instead, Eric reached into his pocket, retrieved a small paper bag, and casually tossed it to Duran.

“Good timing. Here-take your thing back.”

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