Too Late, Mr. Billionaire: You can’t afford me now

Chapter 954:

As he stood there, puzzled, Eric noticed Linda giving him a knowing smile. “I know where he is. Come with me.”

Without saying another word, Linda turned around and walked straight toward the door.

“Linda?” Confused, Eric followed her. “What’s going on? Do you actually know what’s going on with my brother?”

“I do,” Linda responded, her smile subdued yet revealing nothing. “Come with me, and you’ll see.”

Linda then led the way to her car and drove Eric to the sanatorium. As the building came into view, realization dawned on Eric, darkening his expression. “Where are we heading?”

Linda shot him a glance, still wearing that same unreadable smile. “You’ll see when we get there.”

They arrived and parked in front of the sanatorium.

Eric’s anxiety increased, his brow creased with worry. Did Linda know about Ernest’s connection to Elissa? Was Ernest here at the sanatorium right now? And Linda came here because…noveldrama

At the entrance, Hadley was completing her registration. Ernest’s call had unsettled her, and without any news of Elissa’s whereabouts, she decided to come here herself.

As Linda pulled up next to her, she rolled down her window. “You’re here too? Seems I made the right decision coming.”

Linda gestured towards the back seat. “Hop in. It’ll save you the walk.” The grounds of the sanatorium were wide, and reaching Elissa’s quarters from the entrance on foot would take a while.

“Hadley!”

Eric hurried over to take her hand upon seeing her. “What brings you here?”

Hadley glanced from him to Linda. Her thoughts drifted, looping around Elissa… and then Ernest. A dramatic realization dawned on her. Could it be…

Within the walls of the sanatorium, Quentin, catching his breath, hurried towards Ernest. “Mr. Flynn, we’ve located her!”

At that, Ernest rose swiftly, his expression intensifying as he looked past Quentin. “Where is she?”

“It might be best if you come with me and see for yourself. Miss Holland is distressed and won’t let anyone else near. She cries uncontrollably if they do.”

A surge of concern shook Ernest, and he nodded firmly. “Lead the way!”

“This way, sir!”

Ernest followed Quentin, his pace quickening as he neared their destination, struggling to grasp the reality of the situation. Elissa was really here?

There was a row of trash bins, neatly lined up against the wall.

Quentin pointed to the green one. “Mr. Flynn…”

Realizing the gravity of the situation, Ernest swallowed hard and cautiously stepped toward the green bin. Someone nearby helped lift the lid.

As soon as the lid was opened, a shrill scream pierced the air, like the sound of someone exposed in their most fragile state. Then came the broken sobs and a pleading voice. “No, don’t come near me… Please, don’t hit me. Don’t hit me!”

Ernest leaned in and looked down.

Elissa was there, curled up tight like a cornered animal. Her body was filthy, her face smeared with dirt and fear.

He had no idea what she’d been through before hiding in there. Scratches marked her face, and her knuckles were scraped raw. He couldn’t help but wonder if there were more injuries beneath her clothes.

.

.

.