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

Chapter 34 Her Radiant Smile Hadley masked her profound annoyance.

"Mr. Flynn, you're mistaken. I have no clue about your accusations. I cbecause Nyla requested my presence.

I'm far from perfect, but I keep my word when I say I'll leave you alone." She then walked away briskly.

"Hadley, where are you heading?" Was her reaction that severe? A mix of humor and irritation welled up in Eric as he watched her disappear. "Off so soon? Fine. If I meddle in your affairs again, callfoolish." Meanwhile, Hadley found herself at the bus stop where she had alighted earlier, feeling disheartened. Was there really no bus returning? What was her next step? As she surveyed her surroundings, she realized she was quite isolated.

Just then, a sleek black Cayenne pulled up next to Hadley.

The window rolled down, and a familiar voice sounded. “Hadley." Marshall's presence here wasn't really surprising given the connections between the Flynn and Myers families.

"Mr. Myers." "Why so formal? Just Marshall will do." Adjusting a lock of hair behind her ear, Hadley nodded. “Marshall." "That's more like it." Marshall noted the time. "It's late, and there are no buses now. What brings you out here?" Before Hadley could answer, Marshall gestured for her to join him. "Get in," he suggested. "I'll give you a ride." "Thanks," Hadley said, climbing into the car without protest.

As they drove, Hadley briefed Marshall on the events, her voice laden with regret.

"Had I known it would turn out this way, I wouldn't have stayed for coffee with Nyla. I should've delivered those papers earlier." Marshall quickly understood that Nyla had likely orchestrated this.

0.0% O 19:19 ||| O < Chapter 34 Her fadiant Smile He glanced at Hadley playfully. "Is that so? Aren't you hoping to reconcile with Eric, perhaps revive something from the past?" Hadley paused momentarily, her smile tinged with sadness.

Given her past infatuation with Eric, Marshall's assumption didn't seem unreasonable.

Breathing out slowly, Hadley confessed, "I've changed. That part of my life is over. Besides, nothing with Eric was ever worth reigniting" Her words hung in the air as Marshall fell silent.

He observed Hadley through the rearview mirror, noticing her transformation.

They soon reached the hotel.

Marshall looked at Hadley and asked, "Are you hungry? Let's go grab something to eat. I have swork later but let's eat first." "Alright," Hadley agreed.

They walked into the hotel restaurant, with Marshall taking initiatives and placing the order.

"Eat up," he encouraged, gesturing towards the spread.

"Thank you, Marshall." Hadley was famished, as her earlier treats with Nyla hadn't been sufficient.

While they ate, Marshall's phone rang persistently. He was here on business, hence the continuous calls.

Marshall wrapped up one call only for another to immediately follow.

"Yes, it's me." He spoke into the phone, furrowing his brow as he listened. "Hold on, I'll take a look." Standing, he appeared to be in need of handling something urgent.

After setting his phone down, Marshall said to Hadley, "I need to sort this out. Please, take your twith the meal." He then pointed at his plate, “Help yourself to anything you like here, okay?" "Okay," Hadley responded.

Before she could continue, Marshall hurried off.

Perhaps because Marshall was Eric's friend, Hadley felt a sense of relief in his absence. She ate voraciously. Finishing her drink, she mistakenly grabbed Marshall's glass, assuming it was water.

Upon taking a large gulp, she choked on the spicy, fiery liquid.

"What is this?" she coughed out, her expression contorted. "It's so spicy!" It dawned on her then-she had unwittingly downed a strong liquor. Deciding to stick to her own food and beverages, she avoided Marshall's drink thereafter.

19:19 0 < Chapter 34 Her Radiant Smile Finishing her meal, Hadley soon felt the effects of the alcohol, her cheeks flushed.

"What should I do tonight?" she wondered aloud.

Staying at the hotel was not feasible due to the high cost.

Bag over her shoulder, Hadley walked to the lobby and found ssofas.

She decided to camp out there for the night, drawing on her past experience with overnight shifts at a supermarket.

This time, however, the impact of the alcohol was more severe than she anticipated.

Her head spun and her eyelids weighed down, leading her to slump on the sofa in a daze, only half-aware.

Her heart raced, keeping her from fully resting.

"This is tough," Hadley thought bleakly, her head throbbing.

Suddenly, she sneezed, further disorienting herself.

Located in the mountains, the Linacre Lake area was briskly cold at night. Hadley, dozing off on the sofa, shivered and felt unwell from the chill.

"Achoo, achoo!" Her sneezing echoed in the lobby as Eric and Marshall entered, returning from their meeting. Both glanced over and noticed Hadley slumped on the sofa.

"Oh man!" Marshall exclaimed, a hint of guilt coloring his tone. "I got so caught up in work I completely forgot about Hadley! Fric, clearly irritated, pulled Marshall aside. "Didn't she head back home? What do you mean you forgot her?" Marshall was indignant.

"You're being unreasonable. She chere to deliver documents for you. Weren't you aware there were no buses back to town? Did you expect her to find her own way?"

Eric scoffed dismissively, "She left by herself. She was just trying to stay longer under such false pretenses, but I saw through that.” Marshall shook his head, not convinced. "Believe me, she's done with you." Ignoring Eric's protests, Marshall continued towards Hadley.

Eric objected, "And how is this your concern?" Marshall retorted, "Why stopping me?" "I told you she left on her own terms," Eric responded and then walked over to where Hadley was seated.

Following him, Marshall cautioned, "Be gentle with her. Remember, she's vulnerable right now." Eric stopped in front of Hadley, who was dabbing her red, sneezed-raw nose with a tissue. Noticing his presence, she looked up, her expression earnest.

"What are you staring at?" she inquired.

Eric, caught off-guard, stammered, "I thought you were stronger than this. Why haven't you left?" Hadley's face fell, and she remained silent, hurt evident in her demeanor.

"Hold on." Eric paused, sniffing the air.

He leaned closer and asked, "Hadley, have you been drinking?" He crouched down to meet her gaze. The unmistakable smell of alcohol was overwhelming.

Suddenly, Hadley burst into a fit of giggles, her demeanor lightening.

Holding up her fingers close together, she confessed with a playful smile. “Just a little. Really, just a tiny bit!" This unexpected reaction from Hadley caught Eric completely off guard.

Her radiant smile disarmed him entirely.

"Her smile could floor anyone," he thought to himself, stunned by her charm. Overwhelmed by her infectious grin, Eric was left utterly bewitched. Bountiful Free Coins are waiting for you, don't miss out! GO NOW < Too Late, Mr. Billionaire You Can't AffordNow Chapter 35 A Mi