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

Chapter 31 She Had Never Smiled At Him Like This "Mr. Flynn!" Lennon's anxiety was palpable.

"The dressing rooms are occupied by many young women. It would be inappropriate for y Eric halted immediately upon hearing these words.

Indeed, entering abruptly could lead to unintended sightings.

Eric spun around and shot Lennon a frosty glare. "You don't intend to bring her out, then?" enter." Lennon forced a nervous smile. "We are merely performing our duties here. If you could kindly support her, would always reserve the best seat for you. She would appreciate it deeply." Eric scoffed coldly.

Lennon was proving to be a slick and crafty businessman. Eric was not about to cause a commotion over a mere dancer.

"Do you expectto support her?" Eric's eyes, cold and dark, briefly lit up with an icy smile. "Let's see if she has what it takes to impress me." With those words, he walked away.

That woman was merely a dancer. Did she think she could affect him? "Take care, Mr. Flynn! Hope to see you again!" As Eric walked away, Lennon bowed, ushering him towards the exit.

After leaving Galant, Eric did not go back to Silver Villas but went straight to the sanatorium to be with his grandmother post-surgery. He planned to stay overnight to monitor her condition.

Nyla was out of immediate danger yet remained frail. She spent the majority of her tasleep, barely conscious.

During the night, she was under constant care from nurses and caregivers.

Eric's primary concern was to ensure that all was well.

The night concluded without any problems.

At dawn, Eric was awakened by his alarm for an urgent morning meeting that required preparation.

He collected the clothes Phillips had prepared for him and proceeded to shower.

0.0% Q 19:17 O < Chapter 31 She Had Never Smiled At Him Like This Meanwhile, Hadley reached the door of Nyla's room and was about to enter.

Someone tapped her on the shoulder from behind at that moment.

Turning around, Hadley saw Marshall Myers and greeted him with a smile. Marshall looked surprised. "Are we acquainted?" Realizing Marshall obviously didn't recognize her given how much she had changed over the years, Hadley was about to introduce herself. "I'm-" "Wait, are you Hadley?" Marshall unexpectedly said her name.

"Yes," Hadley responded with a smile and a nod.

"Ah." Marshall expressed genuine surprise before warmly complimenting her. "You've becso much prettier. I almost didn't recognize you." "Thanks, you're too kind." "Are you here to see Nyla?" "Yes." "Wonderful, I am as well. Let's enter together." "Certainly." With a courteous gesture, Marshall opened the door, motioning for Hadley to proceed. “Ladies first, please." "Thank you." "You're welcome." # Inside, a nurse was attending to Nyla's morning needs.

Marshall indicated the sofa. "Please take a seat." "Okay." Hadley seated herself.

"Would you care for something to drink?" "No-" Before Hadley could elaborate, Marshall had already risen and was on his way to the kitchen. He cback bearing two cups of coffee.

He placed one before her. "Is this alright?" "It's fine, thank you." Hadley, feeling compelled, took the cup.

Marshall encouraged her with a smile. “Go ahead; take a sip.

23.1% 19:17 1 1+ 111 < Chapter 21 She Had Never Smiled At Him Like This "Alright" Upon tasting it, Hadley found it bitter and furrowed her brow.

It's plain black coffee. Not to your liking? Shall I add smilk or sugar?" "There's no need to bother It's no bother at all* Marshall went and soon returned with milk, adding it to her cup.

"Is this sufficient? "That's enough- "Oh dear, that's too much!* Marshall feigned a spill, causing Hadley to startle.

He then chuckled. "I'm just messing with you." Hadley, realizing the jest, gave him a look of mock distress. "You really frightened me!" "Do you scare that easily?" Suddenly, the bathroom door opened, and Eric entered, finding Hadley and Marshall sharing a moment of laughter on the sofa.

He stopped sharply.

His attention was drawn to Hadley's face, uplifted slightly, her lips curved in a gentle, warm smile.

He recalled never seeing such a smile directed at him before.

Always, she had been more critical and questioning towards him.

Yet here she was, smiling so freely, but for another man.

This sight darkened Eric's mood, and he approached them briskly, casting a brief glance at Marshall.

"Marshall." Eric pointedly disregarded Hadley.

"Hey, buddy." Marshall nodded.

Just then, Xander and Theodore entered with breakfast.

Though Marshall had informed Eric of his visit, Hadley's presence was unexpected.

As they arranged the meal, Xander noted, "We only have two portions." Marshall responded swiftly, "No problem. Hadley, cover here. You can have mine." Hadley hesitated, and Eric was noticeably surprised. Since when were Hadley and Marshall so close? "There's no need-" "No!" 42.7% ||| 19:17 O < Chapter 31 She Had Never Smiled At Him Like This Hadley initially resisted, but was interrupted by another voice-Eric's.

Marshall, caught off guard, looked back and forth between them. What exactly was happening here? He shot Eric a questioning look and said softly, "What's the issue? It's merely breakfast.” Despite knowing Eric's feelings towards Hadley, Marshall still thought he was overreacting.

He then decisively took his breakfast and set it in front of Hadley. "Go ahead and eat, and eat, Hadley ignore him.

my Breakfast and I'm sharing This is my it with you. If you refuse, it would be as though you're disrespecting me." With reluctance, Hadley accepted the meal. “Thank you." "You're welcome," Marshall replied with a big grin.

11 Marshall's playful expression brought a smile to Hadley's face, her dimples peeking through.

Upon seeing another smile from her, Eric's frustration grew, and he was on the brink of reacting.

Suddenly, a distressed whimper was heard from the inner room.

Instantly, they all stood, their expressions tense as they rushed to investigate.

Inside, they heard the caregiver saying, "It's okay, Mrs. Flynn. We're ay.

just changing your sheets and helping you clean up." Nyla resisted, visibly upset, shaking her head.

Eric approached with concern. "What happened?" He asked the caregiver.

The caregiver explained, "Mrs. Flynn had her catheter removed last night, but she's still feeling the effects of the anesthesia and has becincontinent." Nyla, always a strong figure, struggled to accept her current state.

"Grandma," Eric started, unsure of what to do. "Please, let them help you," he suggested.

Nyla, silent, gestured dismissively and closed her eyes.

"I'll take care of it." Hadley stepped forward, reaching to hold Nyla's hand.

"Nyla, it's me, Hadley. Lethelp you, okay? I'm no stranger. I would've cared for my own grandmother this way." "Hadley?" Nyla opened her eyes and firmly held onto Hadley's hand. Though she was not fully aware before, she recognized Hadley's aid.

She remembered Hadley had sucked out the mucus she was choked on with her own mouth when the sputum aspirator failed.

Meanwhile, Eric was just standing there when it all happened.

64.8% 19:17 O < < Chapter 31 She Had Never Smited At Him Like This Although he wasn't necessarily neglectful, it was really so brave and selfiess for Hadley to do that for th "Okay," Nyla responded with tears forming Hadley then instructed everyone to leave. "You can all leave. I can manage on my own." "Alright." "Okay,"

As the nurses and caregivers left, followed by Eric and Marshall, Eriq cast a lingering dance back at E Hadley, his expression reflecting a mix of emotions, difficult to decipher. 100.0% mmMwWLlilofiflo&1 mmMwWLlilofiflo&1 mmMwWLliI0fiflO&1 mmMwWLlilofiflo&1 mmMwWLliIofiflo&1 mmMwWLlilofiflo&1