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

Chapter 956:

As Ernest walked past them, he cast a quick glance in their direction and said in a barely audible voice, “We’ll talk later.”

Right now, Elissa came first. He had no time to explain anything to them.

Back at the villa, the caregiver was helping Elissa bathe in the bathroom. The doctor had already arrived and was waiting to treat her injuries.noveldrama

In the living room, Eric and Linda sat across from each other in silence. Meanwhile, in another room, Ernest was speaking with Hadley.

“Hadley…” Ernest paused, weighing his words. “Elissa doesn’t know it’s me, and I’d like to keep it that way for now.”

Hadley frowned. “Why? What are you planning to do to her? She’s been through a terrible marriage. She’s already suffered enough! Don’t make it worse!”

Ernest’s brow twitched. “Make it worse? Do you think I’m toying with her?”

“Then what else?” Hadley pointed toward the door and lowered her voice. “Even before I married into the Flynn family, I already knew you and Linda were together!” It wasn’t a secret in Srixby. Ernest’s devotion to Linda was something most women in town had envied.

“Ernest, you can’t just—”

“That’s in the past.” Ernest cut her off, shaking his head slightly. “Linda and I have broken up.”

Upon hearing this, Hadley froze, stunned into silence.

What did he just say? Ernest and Linda… had actually broken up? Even with him standing there saying it out loud, she couldn’t make sense of it right away.

In her mind, they had always seemed unbreakable. The kind of couple people didn’t question. But here they were.

“Yes,” Ernest nodded. “We’ve broken up.”

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He was never one to talk much, especially when it came to his private affairs. The only reason he said this much to Hadley was because of Elissa. Hadley was one of the few people Elissa trusted.

But that was as far as he’d go. Ernest had no intention of explaining further.

“I’m serious about Elissa. I’m not playing games. You don’t have to worry.”

The sound of running water stopped in the bathroom. Ernest glanced toward the door. “Hadley, you should go. The doctor needs to treat her wounds.”

Hadley hesitated. Her lips parted as if she wanted to say more, but she ultimately just said, “Okay.”

With that, she stood and walked out, her mind still spinning.

In the living room, Eric kept glancing at Linda, who hadn’t said a word this whole time. He felt uneasy, debating whether he should say something.

Suddenly, Linda stood and smiled lightly at him. “I’m kinda thirsty. I’m going to get something to drink. Do you want anything?”

“I’ll get it,” said Eric, rising to his feet.

“I’ve got this.” Linda had already stepped into the dining room before he could move. She opened the fridge and pulled out a bottle. “There’s iced tea. Is that okay?”

“Yeah,” Eric answered casually.

“Alright.” Linda tried to twist the cap off, but it wouldn’t budge. “Why won’t it open?”

Eric reached out to help. “Let me—”

“No! I can do it!” Linda twisted harder, but the cap still wouldn’t give. To make matters worse, her nail broke.

“Linda?” Eric took the bottle from her hand and leaned in to see if she hurt herself.

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