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

Too Late, Mr. Billionaire: You Can't AffordNow

Chapter 247 How Dare You Suggest Such Vile Things

Observing Linda's heated reaction, Hadley suddenly empathized with Eric.

“Linda, are you holding something against Eric?”

“What?” Startled by the question, Linda responded, “What are you implying?”

“You don’t bear a grudge?” With a knowing nod, a wry smile crossed Hadley’s refined features. “Then it seems

you're just incredibly self-centered. Frankly, you desire the affection of both brothers, yet marriage binds you to

only one. You can’t stand the thought of Eric with anyone else...”

“Hadley! Shut up!” Linda cut her off, her face contorting in anger. “What nonsense is this? How dare you

suggest such vile things? Eric and | have a lifelong bond. | prioritize his well-being above all!”

“Save your self-righteous act.”

Hadley’s gaze was cool, her voice even.

“If you really cared as you claim, you wouldn't have insinuated tothat he would always hold a place for you

in his heart... such remarks.”

The attempt to stir trouble was so evident that anyone could see through it.

“You think highly of yourself, don’t you?” Linda scoffed loudly.

“Me? Not at all.” Hadley tilted her head to the side, pretending to be confused. “Indeed, what significance do |

hold? It bafflesas well. Eric made it a point to remind me... that he was injured on my behalf, and it had

nothing to do with you. How should | interpret that?”

With a sly grin, Hadley tossed her hair and walked away.

Linda stood there, utterly shocked and lost for words.

Could it be true that Eric really said that?

Had his feelings shifted towards Hadley?

Ernest completed the paperwork and was going back to the OR when he encountered Hadley.

“Ernest.” Hadley greeted him with a nod, intending to continue on her way to avoid another encounter with

Linda.

“Hadley,” Ernest called after her.

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warc tou suggest Such Vile Things

He glanced towards where Linda had been, and then said quietly, “Could we have a word? There's something |

need to discuss with you.”

Obliged by his request, Hadley stopped. “Of course.”

“This way, please.”

Ernest guided her to a nearby lounge.

“Please, have swater.” Ernest offered, pouring a glass for her.

Gratefully, Hadley accepted the glass, cradling it in her hands. “Thanks.”

“You're welcome,” Ernest replied, taking a seat opposite her, pondering how to start the conversation.

Breaking the silence, Hadley addressed him. “Ernest, | owe you an apology for today. The blis mine to bear.”

Though unintentional, her actions had led to Eric's accident, which necessitated another surgery.

Ernest was visibly taken aback, his head shaking in disbelief.

“Look, I'm not here to accuse you. I'm not fully aware of all the details, and it’s not my place to judge.”

Hadley’s expression grew thoughtful. What then, could Ernest possibly want to discuss?

“Listen, Hadley,” Ernest said, exhaling a deep breath and speaking with deliberate slowness. “There seems to be

sconfusion between you and Eric, possibly involving Linda, correct?”

The sudden mention of this sensitive issue caught Hadley off guard, her eyes widening with shock.

Such matters were typically off-limits within the Flynn family, rarely if ever brought up around Ernest.

Chuckling at her defensive reaction, Ernest reassured her gently, saying, “Don’t tense up; it’s fine. I'm aware of

everything, even the whispers in Srixby about the Flynn brothers falling for the swoman...”

Hadley tried to respond, but words failed her.

Ernest, directly implicated in the rumors, was now discussing this with her with such peace?

Ernest casually took a drink from his glass.

“I've never really addressed this because, honestly, what could | say now that the rumors have already spread?

But | know the truth, and that’s what matters.”

Hadley listened, her breathing steadying.

Could there be more to the story than the rampant speculation suggested?

Ernest placed his glass back on the table. “It's a fact that both Eric and | have shown kindness towards Linda,

which is undeniable. Hadley, are you curious about why that is?”

Caught off guard by his question, Hadley’s pulse quickened.

She nervously bit her lip and nodded affirmatively. “I am.”

Ernest let out a heavy sigh, the weight of the topic pressing down on him. “We seldom discuss this in our family

because it’s a painful memory, particularly for Eric.”

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Chapter 247 How Dare You Suggest Such Vile Things

He continued, his voice heavy as he dredged up the past.

“Back when we were kids, Eric and | were abducted...”

At that time, their parents were also captured.

The event caused a major stir in Srixby.

Night and day, the police scoured the area but failed to locate them. Despite their disappearance, the

kidnappers made no attempt to contact Nyla.

It becclear to the authorities that ransom wasn’t the kidnappers‘ motive, which complicated the

investigation further.

The ordeal lasted six months without any leads.

Eventually, the police discovered Eric and Ernest. They were found in a criminal gang's lair, malnourished and

injured.

At that moment, Eric was being carried out by a girl.

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She appeared to be his age, clad in tattered clothes, looking frail, having carried him on her back for miles across

rugged terrain.

When they were found and it was tto take them both for medical care, the girl resisted; she still needed to

lead them to rescue Ernest...

She was too small to carry Ernest as he was older and bigger than her.

Since Eric was safe, she insisted on returning to save Ernest!

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Following her directions, the authorities managed to save Ernest as well.

Tragically, their parents were never found.

The police eventually concluded they likely didn’t survive...

This painful memory had since been deeply etched in the hearts of the Flynn family, seldom discussed to avoid

reviving the profound grief.

Ernest concluded his recount with a distant, almost unrecognizable tone. “That was the situation.”

Tears clouded Hadley’s eyes as she began to understand. “So, Linda was that girl.”

“Yes,” Ernest confirmed quietly. “People often remark on our kindness towards her, not realizing she truly

deserved it.”

Certainly.

Hadley had to acknowledge the truth.

Without Linda, the entire Flynn family might have ceased to exist in Srixby years ago.

How would Nyla, advanced in age as she was, have coped by herself without any of her family left?

It was now clear why Linda possessed such arrogance.

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Chapter 247 How Dare You Suggest Such Vile Things

Thus, the layers of their past unfolded.

“Hadley.” Ernest's voice cracked slightly as he spoke again. “I understand my brother well, and it’s clear to me

he has feelings for you, deeper than he might admit.”

He checked his watch before rising from his seat.

“Eric's a straightforward man. His appreciation for Linda stems from gratitude. His affection for you, however, is

born from a genuine desire to be near you. If that’s not fondness, what else could it be?”