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

Chapter 94 Drive Him Crazy

Hadley quickly intervened, flashing her wallet. “I'll take care of it myselfTM

The manager looked taken aback and reflexively glanced at Eric for direction. Confusion dearly marked is

features.

Eric simply laughed, his demeanor exuding arrogance and ease, which was almost exasperating to witness

“You're going to pay?” He sounded amused. “Please, don’t be silly.”

Could she truly believe he would allow her to handle the expense?

After all, he was well aware that she hadn't accepted any support and the modest incshe made a Galant

surely wouldn't cover it.

“Save your earnings,” Eric said, waving off her attempt. “This one’s on me-

“I insist on paying for it myself!” Hadley interrupted forcefully, her hands balled into fists as she laid down her

terms. “If you won't let me, then | don’t want the doll at all!”

Oh, really?

Eric regarded her intently. She had been eyeing that doll with such intensity since she first spotted it.

This wasn’t just about money; it was about asserting her independence from him.

Alright. He decided to let her win this round.

He had indeed messed up earlier, and buying her this toy was his way of apologizing, not a gesture to indebt her.

If she preferred to pay for it herself, he wouldn't argue with her.

“Fine, fine.” Eric sounded patient, almost like soothing an upset child. “If it makes you happy, go ahead and pay

Hadley was too intent on settling the bill to catch the tenderness in his voice. She quickly turned to the manager.

“How do | pay?”

“Right this way, please,” the manager said, still processing the peculiar dynamics at play.

The wealthy certainly had their unique quirks; nonetheless, he was just there to make things happen.

“Will that be cash, credit card, or other mobile payments?”

“Do you take PayPal?”

“Certainly,” the manager responded, and then informed her of the pricing details. “The list price is $39, 000

However, there's an internal discount which brings it down to $21, 000. But for you, Mr. Flynn's associate, the

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Chapter 94 Drive Him Crazy

price is just $16, 000. Please scan here.”

W-What?!

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$16,000?

That meant a discount exceeding fifty percent!

Hadley’s eyes brimmed with gratitude. “Really? Thank you so much!”

“Absolutely,” the manager responded with a laugh. “Though it’s really Mr. Flynn you should be thanking.”

Hadley was aware of that fact.

While she completed the payment, Eric peered over to see the details on the screen at the check-out counter,

raising his eyebrows in surprise.

$39, 000 for a toy?

To him, the amount was trivial, yet for most, it was far from affordable.

Shaking his head, Eric reflected on his financial independence. He had built his own wealth, distinct from the vast

Flynn family’s fortune.

Even the alimony he had proposed in their divorce had cfrom his personal earnings, a detail he had kept

to himself.

He was resolved to ensure Hadley’s future needs were met, to avoid any further outbursts or difficulties on her

part.

Suddenly, Eric winced and touched his neck—the area where Hadley had bitten him was still sore.

Hadley shot a guilty look at Eric, wondering if she'd really bitten him that hard.

“Um...” She paused, and then in a tentative voice, she asked, “Is it very painful?” Eric quirked an eyebrow, his

smirk playful. “Would it matter to you if it was?”

That question made Hadley freeze. Why did she even ask?

With a theatrical sigh, Eric played up his plight. “You've marked me, yet you withhold your pity?” He then moved

his hand away to show the bite mark. It was small but evidently deep, still bleeding. The manager, catching sight

of this, started piecing together a tic scenain his head.

This wasn’t just any bite; it looked like the kind of mark one might find in an intense lover's quarrel.

So the late-night trip for this exclusive doll was their way of making-up? The extravagance of the wealthy really

knew no bounds.

Meanwhile, Hadley, missing the manager's silent conjectures, asked with genuine concern, “Is there a first aid kit

available?”

Seeing the actual blood made her think she should at least help clean Eric's wound.

The manager glanced at Eric, catching his stern look.

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Eric’s expression was forbidding, and he subtly shook his head.

Promptly, the manager responded with an air of finality, “We don’t stock first-aid supplies here. This is a retail

shop, not a medical facility.”

Hadley, unaware of the silent exchange, looked regretfully at Eric. “Should we look for a pharmacy nearby,

then?”

She was sure there would be one open all night somewhere close.

“Alright,” Eric said, somewhat pleased that Hadley was showing concern.

Just then, store employees approached with the Minnie Mouse doll, packaged and ready. They looked uncertainly

as to who the package they should hand over.

Without thinking, Hadley reached out. “I'll take it.”

“Wait.” Eric's voice cut through, sharp and commanding. “Why assit’s yours to carry?”

He extended his hands. “Hand it over here.”

“Right away, Mr. Flynn,” one employee quickly said, passing the plush toy to Eric. It was an unusual sight,

indeed-Eric Flynn, a prominent businessman, carrying a large stuffed animal through a store.

Hadley couldn't suppress a laugh at the unusual sight.

Eric caught the sound and looked at her with a raised eyebrow. “Are you finding this funny?”

Trying to compose herself, Hadley quickly denied it with a shake of her head. “Not at all.”

He seemed skeptical but chose to overlook it. Her smile was too charming to ignore.

“Laugh all you want,” Eric suggested casually. “It suits you better. Crying? Not so much. It makes you look

terrible. So, let's keep the tears away, agreed?”

Hadley felt a sting at his words-really?

She turned her head, her thoughts drifting.

She just knew that in his eyes, Linda was always the epitof beauty.

Fortunately, a 24-hour pharmacy was located just a short distance from the mall.

“Sebastian can handle the purchase,” Hadley suggested, already edging toward departure. “I think I'll head

home.”

“Don’t even think about it,” Eric said darkly, tapping his neck where the bite mark still showed. “Imagine

Sebastian finding out about this. How am | supposed to maintain any dignity?”

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“Shh!” Hadley urgently motioned with her hands, her voice a whisper. “You're too loud!”

The late hour made their voices carry further, risking unwanted attention.

With resignation heavy in her voice, Hadley replied, “Alright, I'll handle it.”

Eric scoffed, “That's right, you will.”

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While at the pharmacy, Ene found a comfortable spot on a bench and made himself at has Hadley gathered

the needed medical supplies

Returning, she motioned towards his shirt. “You might want to open your collar so it doesn’t get stained,”

His response was casual, his arms stretching along the bench “You take care of it,” he said, displaying the

nonchalance of someone used to being pampered.

Alright. For that huge discount and the money he had helped her save, she could put up with a bit more.

Hadley tightened her jaw, drew in a breath, and reached to unbutton the top two buttons of his shirt.

Her fingers accidentally brushed against his Adam's apple as it moved subtly.

She paused momentarily. Surely, that was unintentional?

Eric's expression tightened, and his voice roughened suspiciously, “You're doing that on purpose, aren’t you?”

Did she not realize the sensitivity of a man’s throat?

“Nope. You're imagining things.” Hadley kept her tone level, opening the disinfectant swab and leaning closer.

“Stay still. This might hurt a bit.”

He grunted softly in acknowledgment.

When the medicine brushed his skin, Hadley gently blew on the area to soothe the sting.

Eric felt a strange warmth spreading within him.

He squinted slightly. How had she picked up such a technique?

This wasn’t the sHadley he used to deal with.

Hadley used to be loud and outspoken, constantly inserting herself into his affairs.

Now, she was almost silent... yet somehow, every small action of hers was driving him crazy.

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