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

Chapter 205 Why Settle For Someone Who Never...

“Hadley?”

Noticing the tears welling up in her eyes, Eric could tell he'd hurt her deeply.

Clearly, her heart was still tied to his.

In the end, Eric knew he’d pushed her too far and wounded her deeply.

Which girl would tolerate her boyfriend standing guard over another woman?

Hadley had lashed out and walked away precisely because she'd cared so deeply.

Eric finally grasped it-why had he been so blind until now?

Without warning. Eric rose sharply, stepped toward Hadley, and lowered himself to one knee, gently capturing

her hands in his own.

“Whatever you want, Hadley. I'll promise you everything!”

With genuine remorse reflected in his eyes, he said quietly, “It waswho made the mess of things. | reacted

badly, so you have every right to be angry. You've ignoredthese past days, and | deserved every moment of

it. Are you still upset? If you are, take it out on me-tellexactly what it'll take for your heart to mend.”

Hadley scoffed bitterly.

Seeing Eric now, anyone watching might be easily fooled by his act of devotion.

At that moment, she had no interest in arguing or exchanging insults with him.

Meeting his gaze firmly, she said with quiet intensity, “You're the one who insisted on getting back together, Eric.

Let’s be clear about something-I have a bad temper, and that’s nothing new to you. This is who | am. If | bring

chaos into your life and leave everything in ruins, don’t you dare blme later.”

“What?” He laughed softly, a teasing smile playing across his lips. “You're actually worried about me, aren't

you?”

His fingers tightened gently around hers. Take it easy. Unless you're planning to leave again, there's nothing you

could throw atthat | can’t take”

Hadley clenched her teeth. Frustration got the better of her as she retorted, “I'm not joking What's your

problem? Wouldn't life be smoother with a sweet, agreeable girlfriend instead?”

“And miss all the excitement? Eric tilted his head, eyes dancing with mischief “I want a girlfriend, Hadley, not

someone who nods at everything | say Why settle for someone who never challenges me?”

For the first time, Hadley found herself without a response.

Chapter 205 Why Settle For Someone Who Never Challenges Me

Considering that, she hoped he understood exactly what he was signing up for-no complaining later, not second

thoughts.

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She was laying all her cards on the table now, and he’d better live up to his confident promises.

At the police station, Elissa had woken up early.

Days had blended together into a blur, filled with repeated trips in and out of a holding cell. Nobody could expect

a young woman like her to get accustomed to such a nightmare.

Appetite long abandoned, sleep stolen by worry-she wore her exhaustion plainly.

“Elissa Holland.” A voice broke through the haze, calling her clearly.

Slowly, Elissa raised her head, eyes rimmed red. “Yes, officer,” said Elissa, rising to her feet at once.

The metallic clang of the gate echoed through the room. “Step outside.”

“Oh.” A brief flash of confusion crossed her face. “Is it tfor more questions?”

“No,” the officer said, shaking his head.

Near the gate, another officer stood waiting, her posture relaxed and reassuring.

“You can go with this officer. She'll guide you through the paperwork. After that, you're free to go.”

What?

She was really free?

The female officer offered her a comforting smile. “Cwith me, please.”

“Of course. Thank you, officer.”

Elissa trailed behind quietly, filled out all the forms as instructed, scribbled her signature, and retrieved her

belongings without fuss.

“All set. You're officially released.”

“Thank you so much, officer.”

As Elissa stepped through the building, she embraced the sudden sunlight, taking a deep breath as warmth

spread across her skin.

She reached for her phone and immediately dialed Hadley’s number.

Sitting in Eric's car, Hadley saw the incoming call, Elissa’s nglowing brightly on the screen. Glancing toward

Eric, she marveled silently at how quickly he’d managed it all.

Their talk had barely ended, yet Elissa was already calling with news of her release.

Hadley answered the call without hesitation. “Elissa! Hey.”

“Oh, Hadley,” Elissa said, relief flooding through her until tears streamed freely. “I'm finally out. Thank you!”

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Chapter 205 Why Settle For Someone Who Never Challenges Me

Who else but Hadley would have cto her rescue?

Following the chaos, even contacting Robin had becimpossible. Elissa doubted he’d lift a finger even if the

authorities needed someone to identify her remains.

“You don’t owea thing.”

At last, a weight lifted from Hadley’s chest. “This happened because of me. Now, just head hand rest up,

and we'll catch up later when you're stronger.”

“Got it. I'll call you later, Hadley!”

Elissa ended the call and turned toward the bus stop, her pace quickening, her heart lighter than it had been in

days

Across the street, beneath the shade of an old oak, Ernest observed quietly from inside his parked car as Elissa

disappeared among passersby.

Quentin said carefully, “Sir, should we get going now?”

“Yes.”

With a faint nod, Ernest shifted his attention away.

Quentin continued, “Mr. Flynn, throughout this entire mess, her husband never bothered to appear. Perhaps we

should-

“No need,” Ernest interrupted before Quentin could finish.

His expression betrayed no emotion, his voice neutral but final. “As long as she’s unharmed, what she chooses to

do from now on is none of my business. Am | clear?”

Quentin's shoulders tensed slightly, a chill running down his spine. “Perfectly clear, sir.”

On Irondeer Road, at FOUR Hours.

“Mr. Flynn, please take a look...”

The store clerk cheerfully led the way, followed by Hadley, who had just changed clothes.

Following their earlier chat, Eric had practically dragged her here, determined to have her select something she

actually liked.

The outfit she currently wore was the one he had picked personally.

Linda always leaned toward graceful, ladylike elegance, but the style Hadley wore now was relaxed and

effortlessly refined, with subtle touches of charm.

“You're stunning He squeezed Hadley’s hand, his smile deepening “I knew this would suit you. Are you happy

with it?”

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“Well... yes.

Although Hadley was reluctant to admit it, she actually liked what she wore right now.

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Chapter 205 Why Settle For Someone Who Never Challenges Me

Part of her wanted to disagree and prove him wrong, yet the truth was undeniable-he had genuinely chosen

well this time.

“Really? That's great.”

Sliding an arm gently around her waist, Eric drew her near, openly pleased and entirely self-satisfied.

“Told you | knew your taste. You never giveenough credit.”

However, Eric wasn't completely innocent here.

Earlier, he'd only asked FOUR Hours to send women’s clothing to Silver Villas but neglected to specify y any

details. Taking the initiative, FOUR Hours naturally delivered items reflecting the Flynn family’s typical choices -

clothes for Linda.

The store, in its own way, had played a hand in this as well.

Feeling too intimately pressed against Eric, Hadley gently pushed back. “We're in public. People will stare.”

“Really?” Eric laughed softly, entirely unconcerned, keeping her firmly beside him. “Who exactly?”

The employees, sensing a romantic moment, had already discreetly vanished into the background.

“Hadley.” Gently turning her toward the full-length mirror, Eric whispered playfully, “Look at us. Tellwe don’t

match perfectly. With someone like you by my side, it’s tough for others to compete.”

She blinked, momentarily stunned.

Was this a compliment for her, or was Eric praising himself? How could anyone be this confident?

“Hadley.” His voice shifted abruptly, uncertainty creeping into it. “Listen, | think... maybe | might have... | mean, |

really am...”

She stared blankly. What was he trying to say? Why was he suddenly stumbling over his words?

Holding her just a bit tighter, Eric finally managed to say clearly, “I think I'm starting to fall in love with you.”

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