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

Chapter 25 An Unforgivable Sinner
Hadley paused, uncertain
Rather than moving forward, she stepped back.
Just go ahead. I’ll follow shortly.”
Eric’s confusion quickly turned to annoyance. “What are you doing? Get in here!”
His patience was running low. He reached out, intending to guide Hadley inside.
However, Eric stopped mid–gesture, recalling how much Hadley detested being forced into contact. Any physical attempt would
surely upset her.
This realization made him reconsider.
“Let’s go, quickly now! Come inside!” Eric tried to encourage her verbally instead.
“No...”
Hadley firmly shook her head, standing her ground.
“Hadley”
Eric’s frustration was mounting, his temper on the brink.
Meanwhile, the elevator seemed indifferent to their quarrel. The doors started closing right before both Eric and
Hadley.
“Stop!”
Eric’s attempt to halt the elevator doors was just a second too late. He grumbled softly, “Such a difficult woman!”
Inside, Linda and her assistant shared a look.
“Eric,” Linda said, gently pulling at his sleeve with a reassuring smile. “Relax. It’s Nyla’s surgery today. Hadley will make it up in
time.”

“I understand,” Eric responded, his brow furrowed. “But why is she so hesitant to join us in the elevator?”
Linda’s smile faltered slightly. “Well, it might be my fault. You know we had a disagreement recently, and perhaps she’s avoiding
me because of that.”
A disagreement?
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Chapter 25 An Untergrate Sinner
Eric’s expression hardened, his voice taking on a chili. “If that’s true, why is she throwing a tantrum now? Hadley should feel
ashamed of herself”
“Let’s not dwell on it,” Linda replied, her face tensing as she attempted to defuse the growing tension.
“That incident was some time ago. I was just upset then. We should put it behind us.”
“You expect me to just forget about it?” Eric responded sharply. “What Hadley did isn’t something minor that
can just be overlooked. It’s unforgivable! We can’t simply forgive and forget.”
“Eric...”
“Enough.”
Linda attempted to soothe him, but Eric interjected, “You might forgive her out of kindness. But to me, it’s
about the child our family lost. I will never forgive Hadley, not ever.”
How could he let it go and still look his brother or the rest of the family in the eye?
Linda looked up at Eric and then quietly let the matter drop, choosing to remain silent.

She then recalled another issue. “You mentioned that you had made a decision about finalizing the divorce. So,
what’s happening with you and Hadley now?”

Eric dismissed the question.
“There’s been a complication. We’ll reschedule it for another time.”
At that moment, the elevator halted, and the doors opened.
Eric exited the elevator, glancing back at Linda, “Grandma isn’t aware yet, and you know how she opinions. Please, let’s not
mention this to her for now.”
“Understood,”
Linda agreed, offering a reassuring smile.
to her
After a pause, Linda voiced her concern. “So, there was a problem, and the divorce proceedings were halted?”
“Yes,” Eric responded, his explanation brief. “A last–minute issue came up, and I wasn’t able to attend. We need
to move on.”
With that, he strode forward.
“Alright.”
Linda trailed behind, observing Eric’s retreating figure while lost in thought.
“Linda,” her assistant murmured, drawing close. “Mr. Flynn is finalizing his divorce. You might have a chance
here. Don’t miss it.”
“What are you implying?” Linda retorted, her frown deepening as she quietly scolded her assistant.
“Eric and I are just friends! If anything, we’re practically family.”
The assistant was visibly unnerved by Linda’s intensity.

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Chapter 25 An Unforgivable Sinner
“Never mention such things again!” Linda replied sternly. “If the press gets hold of it, we could be swamped
with scandals. Understand?”
“Yes... I understand,” the assistant stammered.
“We need to move,” Linda instructed, folding her arms as she quickened her pace to catch up with Eric.
With Hadley yet to arrive, they were forced to wait in the lounge.
Hadley entered a few minutes later than expected. Eric glanced at her with evident annoyance. “Let’s go, Grandma is waiting.”
“Alright.”
Eric led the way, Linda followed closely, and Hadley trailed behind. The room for pre–surgery preparation was
set.
Nyla was on the bed, reaching out her hand eagerly as she saw Eric, Linda, and Hadley enter.
“You’ve all arrived.”
“Grandma.”
“Nyla.”
Nyla gripped the hands of both Eric and Linda. “I’ll be alright, just you wait and see. No need to worry.”

Her gaze then shifted to Hadley.
“Hadley, come closer, let me have a good look at you,” Nyla said.
“Nyla.” Hadley approached, and Nyla tenderly took her hand.
“Hadley, you’ve really matured after everything you’ve endured. Once I recover, I’m going to spoiled you like in
the old days, okay?”
“Absolutely. You’re on for a pinky promise, no backing down!” Hadley responded, extending her pinky finger.
“Huh?” Nyla was momentarily taken aback, but then her laughter filled the room. “Alright, alright!”
Nyla joyfully linked her pinky with Hadley’s. “It’s a promise, no going back on it!”

From a short distance, Eric watched with a subtle grin.
Despite Hadley’s challenging demeanor, her knack for brightening Nyla’s mood was undeniable.
With just a few playful words, Nyla was filled with laughter.
Eric and Linda knew they couldn’t inspire that joy quite like Hadley.
“It’s time, Mrs. Flynn. We should get going.”
A nurse arrived and began to take Nyla towards the surgery room.
The operation was expected to last between four to five hours, providing plenty of time for the family to wait in the VIP lounge.
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Chapter 25 An Unforgivable Sinner
As lunchtime neared, Linda checked her watch before addressing Eric
“Hey, Eric, what are you in the mood for? I’ll place an order.”
“Choose anything you like. I’m not picky.”
At that moment, Eric’s phone vibrated with an incoming work call. “I need to take this. I’ll be right back.”
This left Linda and Hadley by themselves in the lounge.
Linda offered a warm smile. “What about you, Hadley?”
After a brief pause, Hadley slowly shook her head. “No, thanks. You two go on without me.”
She then picked up her bag and headed for the exit.
Linda watched her leave with a slight smirk. “Not hungry, huh? That’s alright. I wasn’t particularly eager to
share a meal with you either.”
She gestured for her assistant to come closer. “Let’s get something to eat. You remember what Eric prefers, right?**
“Yes, I’ve got it covered,” the assistant replied confidently before walking off to order their food.
By the time Eric returned, the food had been delivered.
“Eric!” Linda greeted him cheerfully, gesturing him to join her. “Here, sit down. We ordered all your favorites.”
“Sounds good.”

Eric stowed his phone away and settled into a chair.
As he reached for his fork, he looked around. “Where’s Hadley?”
“Hadley?” Linda responded nonchalantly. “Oh, she left a bit ago. Said she wasn’t hungry.”
“Not hungry?”
Eric let out a derisive laugh. Lately, “no” seemed to be Hadley’s new favorite word, as if she were trying to make it her trademark.
Always declining offers.
He pushed his plate aside and stood up.
“Where do you think you’re going?” Linda reached out, grasping his arm.
“To look for her. She might skip lunch if we don’t.”
“Oh, drop it!” Linda laughed, releasing his arm. “She was quite clear. Plus, you know her background in dance. Dancers tend to
be strict with their diets.”
“Strict with her diet?”
Eric was skeptical. Despite her recent return, he’d observed her eating habits. Hadley had a strong appetite.
“You don’t understand. She really can eat.”
With that, he pushed back from the table and exited.
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