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

Chapter 128 Not Looking To Be In A Relationship

The stage lights converged, casting an ethereal glow over the performer at their canter

Hadley stood poised, draped in her custom performance attive, her movements effortlessly elegant. Her long

straight legs exuded grace, and her orsine-so delicate it seemed as though it could be dirded with a single hand-

moved fluidly with the rhythm.

As the music swelled, her steps matched each drumbeat with precision

Somehow, each note reverberated through Eric's chest, a strange, unsettling sensation creeping up his spine- as

if the music wasn’t just playing, but striking at something deep within him.

And then, as the final note lingered in the air, she stopped with a radiant smile, she turned toward the audience.

The reaction was instantaneous. Thunderous applause. Cheers. The air buzzed with electrified admiration

“Bravo!” Denver couldn't hold back. He shot to his feet, his hands coming together in unrestrained enthusiasm.

Then-Hadley looked his way. With a dazzling smile, she lifted a hand and waved, the joy in her expression

unmistakable.

And then-she jumped. Just a small bounce on her toes, playful, as if making absolutely certain Denver saw her.

“Hadley...”

Denver stood there, frozen-completely stunned.

*His heart pounded-too fast, too hard, as if it might give out at any moment. His chest felt tight, almost on the

verge of bursting, but instead of discomfort, it was exhilarating

He grinned, wide and uninhibited, an expression he couldn’t control even if he tried.

For the first tin his life, he felt an unshakable, electrifying rush-something thrilling, something undeniable.

The performance had been a resounding success, and Denver, along with the guys, hurried backstage to

celebrate.

“Hadley!” Denver's voice was full of warmth. “Congratulations, that was incredible!”

“Thank you!”

Hadley took the bouquet with both hands, her smile radiant, though her eyes glistened.

Denver's gaze lingered on her, catching a small detail-her lips were dry, her lipstick slightly smudged. “Hadley,

are you thirsty?”

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Chapter 128 Not Looking To Be In A Pelationship

Hadley blinked, caught off guard. “How did you know?”

She was thirsty. But she had been so anxious about everything going perfectly on stage that she hadn't dared to

drink a drop.

Was it really that obvious?

Denver didn’t think twice. He had cprepared.

Twisting the cap off a bottle of mineral water, he held it out to her. “Here, have some.”

“Okay.”

Hadley took the bottle, tilting her head back to drink-but in her eagerness, a few drops slipped past her lips,

trickling down.

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“Slow down!”

Denver chuckled, instinctively reaching out to wipe the stray droplets away. Then, he hesitated. He wasn’t her

boyfriend... yet.

But he knew that behind them, Eric was watching.

Before Denver could rethink it, he did it anyway. Gently, his thumb brushed against her lips, wiping away the

water.

“Careful. Don’t choke.”

The warmth of his touch startled Hadley. It was a fleeting moment, but too close. Was this... appropriate?

But before she could react, Denver pulled his hand back, as if nothing had happened. “All good.” Denver's touch

lingered for a fraction of a second longer before he stepped back, his expression open, gentle.

“Hadley!”

Before Hadley could say anything, the backstage area erupted with noise.

“Where are you? Ms. Nicolson is looking for you!”

Hadley turned toward the sound. “I'm here!”

The messenger barely paused. “Hurry up! Ms. Nicolson, the media, and the audience-everyone’s waiting to see

you!”

“I'll be there in a minute!”

Hadley bit her lip, glancing at Denver with an apologetic smile. “Sorry, I'll be swamped tonight. There's a little

celebration party with the team later, too.”

It was inevitable-this was her first major performance.

Denver nodded easily. “I get it. Go on, don’t keep them waiting.”

Hadley hesitated for only a second before flashing him a grateful smile. “I'll see you later, then!”

She turned, took a few running steps toward the crowd, but then spun back around, waving the bouquet and

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Chapter 128 Not Looking To Be In A Relationship

water bottle in the air. “Denver! Thanks again for the flower

With that, she disappeared into the bustling ses of people.

Denver stood there, watching as she was swallowed by the crowd, his smile unwaverag

Barrie had witnessed the entire exchange unfold. With an amused sigh, he leaned back, a knowing glint in his

eyes. “Ah, there’s nothing like the sweetness of young love” “And what about you?”

Eric, who had been silently observing, finally looked up, his expression impossible to decipher. “What about men

“Nah. Forget | asked.”

Barrie was just about to steer the conversation elsewhere when Eric's voice cut through, low and tense, his jarar

clenched tight.

“What if | just snatch her away?”

The words escaped before he could stop them-a thought that had been smoldering in his chest all night,

threatening to ignite.

Barrie stilled, momentarily thrown.

“What are you saying?”

His eyes darted toward Denver and Marshall, both nearby, blissfully unaware of the weight pressing down

between them. He turned back to Eric, his voice dropping. “Wait... you're not serious, are you?”

Eric exhaled sharply, a scoff escaping. “Of course not.”

Barrie let out a tic gasp, clutching his chest in mock distress. “My heart, Eric-so tell me, which part of that

was the truth?”

Eric shot him a sideways smirk, laced with dry sarcasm. “What do you think? You said it yourself-they're clearly

drawn to each other. What would be the point even if | snatch her away?”

Barrie studied his friend for a long beat before shaking his head with a sigh. “Exactly.”

He then clapped a hand on Eric’s shoulder. “Forcing things never ends well, my friend. Let it go. There are other

fish in the sea.”

“Yeah.”

Eric gave a short nod before turning abruptly on his heel.

“Hey-where are you going?” Barrie called after him.

Eric didn’t break stride. “Out. Need a cigarette.”

If he didn’t smother the fire in his chest now, he wasn’t sure what it would push him to do.

The performance was nothing short of a triumph.

Success didn’t happen overnight, but last night did change everything.

With media coverage flooding in, Hadley’s nwas suddenly on everyone's lips. The show had been a

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Chapter 128 Not Looking To Be In A Relationship

breakthrough-her first real step onto a bigger stage.

Even Blanche, usually reserved and strict, was in an uncharacteristically good mood.

“Not bad, Hadley. You madeproud.”

Hadley’s heart swelled at the rare praise. “Thank you, Ms. Nicolson.”

She knew full well that hard work and talent alone weren't enough. Opportunities mattered.

Not everyone-no matter how gifted-got the chance to shine. And she was grateful for hers.

Blanche gestured for her to sit. “This is also because of your own hard work.”

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Then, with the ssharp, businesslike tone as always, she continued, “Next, I'm including The Passage in the

tour.”

A tour?

An international tour?

Could this all be happening a little too fast?

Blanche didn’t wait for Hadley to process it. “I called you here to remind you-don’t get complacent. If you ruin

your reputation before the tour, you won't be going.”

Hadley straightened immediately. “Understood!”

How could she possibly waste this chance?

“I won't slack off, Ms. Nicolson. I'll give it everything I've got!”

Blanche studied her for a moment before nodding, a rare smile tugging at the corners of her lips.

“Good. Now go.”

Blanche knew she had taken a significant risk by elevating Hadley to this position. But it wasn’t a decision made

in isolation. Her husband had benefited from Eric's influence, and in return, she had gambled on Hadley.

Luckily, Hadley had proven her worth.

Blanche had placed her reputation on the line, and Hadley had delivered.

In a way, Blanche felt a quiet sense of gratitude toward her-because if Hadley had failed, the consequences

would have been severe.

When Hadley received the official tour schedule, she sat down to study it carefully. Her eyes skimmed over the

list of locations, tracing each stop-until she froze. Blathe.

Lightning Dance Stuhad toured Blathe before, but this time, it felt different.

Would this mean she could see Joy?

That evening, Denver arrived at the stuto pick her up.

She didn’t have a performance scheduled, so she wasn’t expecting him-but the moment she saw him, he

greeted her with a familiar smile.

Chapter 128 Not Looking To Be In A Relationship

“This time, | booked somewhere a little fancier,” Denver said, his voice warm. “We need to properly celebrate

your debut.”

Hadley hesitated for a moment, and then nodded.

At the restaurant, the warm glow of ambient lighting wrapped around them as they sat across from each other,

the quiet hum of conversation filling the air.

As they waited for their food, Hadley took a slow sip of water, steadying herself.

Finally, she looked up, meeting the eyes of the man sitting across from her. “Denver?”

“Yeah?” He straightened, sensing something different in her expression. “Is there something on your mind?”

Hadley gave a small nod. “Yes.” She had spent the past few days thinking about this. She owed him honesty.

Her voice was soft but firm. “I truly appreciate your kind gestures... which is why | need to be upfront with you.”

A flicker of uncertainty crossed Denver's face. Was this-was she turning him down?

His throat tightened as he forced himself to stay composed. “Go ahead.”

Hadley took a steady breath. Then, with quiet sincerity, she spoke the truth. “I'm not really looking to be in a

relationship right now.”