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

Chapter 33 Being Late On Purpose It was Monday today.

Mondays were Hadley's days off, as Galant typically saw less business.

With free tavailable, Hadley chose to visit Nyla.

Nyla's health was improving significantly; she was fully conscious and gradually regaining strength. Together with a caregiver, Hadley assisted Nyla out of bed and wheeled her into the garden to soak up ssunlight.

"Hadley." Nyla exhaled deeply, grasping Hadley's hand. "I will always remember your kindness, dear." "I did what I felt was necessary for you," Hadley responded, offering a soft smile as she shook her head gently. Nyla squeezed her hand. “And I'll never forget it." Tears welled up in Nyla's eyes, her voice breaking. “My biggest regret is how I left you on your own these pas. years..." "Nyla." Hadley quickly pulled out a tissue to dab at the older woman's tears. "That's behind us now. I'm doing well, aren't I?" "Of course." Nyla affirmed with a reassuring smile. “You will always be part of my family, as Eric's wife." Hadley's face showed a moment of uncertainty.

She then decided to leave it to Eric to break the news of their divorce to Nyla however he saw fit.

She knelt to gently massage Nyla's calf. "I don't have work today. I'll stay with you tonight, is that alright?" "That would be wonderful." Just then, the caregiver approached. "Mrs. Flynn, you have a call," she said, offering Nyla the phone.

"Thank you." Nyla accepted it and noticed Eric was on the line.

"Grandma." "What's happening?" Nyla asked. "Aren't you supposed to be at Linacre Lake now? Don't worry about checking in if you're busy." "That's not why I'm calling this time, Grandma," Eric responded, his voice light with amusement.

0.0% O Q 19:19 < Chapter 33 Being Late On Purpose He continued, slightly amused. “I'm actually calling to see if you could have someone look for a manila envelope. I may have left it there." Eric had been spending nights at the sanatorium to be close to Nyla, often bringing work with him, which explained why he thought he might have left it there.

Nyla's face took on a grave expression.

"Do you need it immediately?" "Yes, it's crucial for a meeting tonight. Could you please look for it?" "Certainly." Having been a professional herself, Nyla understood the importance of such requests. She set the phone aside and turned to Hadley.

"Hadley, would you mind checking inside my room for a manila envelope?" "Of course." Without hesitation, Hadley made her way indoors to search.

Returning shortly, Hadley held up a C4-sized manila envelope. "Is this the one?" "Let's have a look." Nyla accepted the envelope, examined its contents, and then reconnected with Eric on the phone. "It's here. I've got it." "Excellent." Relief was evident in Eric's voice as he responded over the phone. "Grandma, can you arrange to have it sent to me?" "Of course." Nyla consented and then ended the call.

As she started to search her contacts to make another call, she paused, struck by an idea. She then turned to Hadley.

"Hadley, could you chere for a moment?" "What is it?" Nyla grasped Hadley's hand. "Eric needs these documents urgently. I trust no one but you to deliver them. Would you mind making the trip?" Nyla gently tapped the envelope, her voice lowering. "These papers contain sensitive business information. It's too risky to entrust them to a courier." Hadley paused, weighing her response.

She realized Nyla's request might be an attempt to mend bridges between her and Eric.

Reluctantly, because she wasn't ready to face Eric again, Hadley almost declined.

Yet, she couldn't express her true feelings to Nyla about her strained relationship with Eric.

"Okay." Hadley finally agreed, her voice tense as she accepted the task.

Ultimately, Hadley was just there to deliver a package. She planned to hand it off to Eric and make a quick exit 21.7% 19:19 ||| < Chapter 33 Being Late On Purpose without engaging in any conversation.

"That's my girl." Nyla expressed, pleased, her smile broadening. "First, let's sit down for srefreshments together while we enjoy the sun before you head out." Nyla pondered the timing of the delivery. The documents weren't needed until later that evening. "It might be better for them to meet in the evening and then she stays," she muttered silently.

"Alright." Hadley agreed, unaware of Nyla's subtle matchmaking. "I'll follow your lead." Departing the sanatorium around four in the afternoon, Hadley slipped the manila envelope into her backpack and caught a bus to Linacre Lake.

Linacre Lake, a burgeoning community within Srixby's region, required a lengthy two-hour bus journey. Arriving at her destination, Hadley walked the short distance to Eric's hotel, following the directions Nyla had sent her.

The hotel was recently built, its corridors still reeking of fresh paint.

Once inside, Hadley adjusted her backpack to the front and called Eric.

Back in his hotel room, Eric saw Hadley's nflash on his phone. Surprised, he wondered why she was calling. Memories of their last argument surfaced, stirring a mix of emotions.

She had even accused him of harboring inappropriate feelings for Linda.

With a cold expression, Eric placed his phone face down on the table, ignoring the incoming call.

Outside, Hadley checked her phone, her eyebrows knitting together in confusion. "Why isn't Eric answering? Doesn't he need these documents?" Could he be tied up with something? Perhaps it was just bad timing? After a brief pause, Hadley decided to text him instead.

"I was asked by Nyla to deliver something to you." She quickly took a photo of the manila envelope she was holding and sent it to Eric.

Eric's phone made a buzzing sound on the table.

He frowned.

What did Hadley want now? He pondered. "She still thinks I have such low morals, yet she contacts me?" Nevertheless, Eric picked up his phone, swiped to unlock it, and looked at the message.

When he saw the message from Hadley, Eric's expression softened. She was simply delivering the documents.

he needed.

He quickly got to his feet and left his room.

Outside, the evening was setting in, marked by a faint glow of the sunset on the horizon.

There stood Hadley, dressed in a beige T-shirt and cargo jeans, her long hair secured with a black hair tie.

48.8% 19:19 ||| O Her figure was slender and poised, outlined by the fading light.

A lump formed in Eric's throat as he approached her.

"Hadley," he called out gently.

Hearing her name, Hadley looked up. "Oh, you're here," she responded, 5m swiftly pulling the manila envelope from her backpack to hand to him.

"Here you go. Is this what you were waiting for?" "Yes," Eric answered, examining the contents of the envelope. "Everything appears to be in order." He sealed the envelope back and offered Hadley a knowing smile. “You really do have impeccable timing." "Huh?" Hadley looked puzzled, unsure of his implication.

Eric, tapping his watch, retorted playfully, "I called Grandma just after one today, and now you finally turn ub? There's no bus back at this hour, is there? Planning to stay over?" Hadley's heart skipped a beat at Eric's insinuation. There was no bus back to town tonight? Eric's laughter had a biting edge. “Seems like you're playing your old games.” He had believed Hadley was no longer pursuing him, yet here she seemed to be reverting to her previous tactics.

"Persistent, aren't you?" Eric muttered to himself.

"Fine," Eric responded, gesturing dismissively. "You've made the effort to chere so I'll arrange a place Enr for you to stay tonight." Without waiting for her response, Eric started to walk away, expecting Hadley to follow.

However, Hadley remained rooted to the spot.

Realization dawned on her that he suspected her of deliberately timing her visit.

Eric looked over his shoulder, his expression turning sour. "Aren't you coming? Or are you cooking up a new plan now that I've caught on?" Recommended for you The CEO'S RUNAWAY The CEO's Runaway Wife To the public, she was the CEO's executive secretary. Behind closed door...

Most Tipped No.9 Read