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

Chapter 949:

Hadley blinked at the pink cotton candy in his hand. What was this?

She wasn’t five anymore!

She let out a faint scoff, half incredulous.

“Go on,” Eric said, nudging it toward her with a hopeful smile. “I’ve got two. One for you, one for Joy.”

But Hadley remained still, arms crossed, her expression unreadable.

Eric sighed, seeing her refusal, and said with mock seriousness, “If you don’t eat it, Joy’s going to want both. She’s still young—too much sugar’s not good for her.”

Hadley shot him a glare. He really had a counter for everything, didn’t he?

Still… he wasn’t wrong.

She snatched the cotton candy from his hand and took a huge bite, chewing with unnecessary force—as if it were him.

Eric chuckled under his breath, satisfied, and started the car again.

They drove the rest of the way in a quiet, oddly comfortable silence until they reached Millland Road. Eric pulled up outside Hadley’s building. As she reached for the door, he moved to follow.

“I’ll walk you up,” he said casually.

“No need.” Hadley glanced over her shoulder. “You should be resting. Head back.”

“Hadley,” he said suddenly, his eyes flicking to the corner of her mouth. “You’ve got… a bit of sugar there.”

“Where?” Hadley raised her hand to wipe it away.

“Not that side…”

Before she could react, Eric leaned in. His hand rose—but instead of simply brushing her cheek, he cupped her chin.noveldrama

𝙏𝙝𝙞𝙨 𝙛𝙞𝙡𝙚 𝙞𝙨 𝙛𝙧𝙤𝙢 𝙜𝖆𝗅𝗇𝗈ν𝖊𝗅𝘀[ꞏ]𝖈𝖔𝖒

Their eyes met for the briefest second. Then he dipped his head.

His lips brushed the corner of her mouth, feather-light but deliberate—kissing away the sugar crumbs clinging there.

“It’s so sweet,” he murmured, voice low. “I meant the sugar… and you too.”

Before she could form a reply, a small, surprised voice piped up from behind them.

“Mommy… are you two kissing?”

Startled, Hadley broke into a sudden sweat, forcefully shoving Eric and shooting him a look of deep betrayal. She was shocked by his actions. And to think, Joy had seen them kissing!

With a clumsy chuckle, Eric admitted his unintended mistake.

Their attention shifted to Joy.

“Joy!”

“Sweetheart…”

“Oh, no!” Bursting with amusement, Joy covered her eyes with her hands. “I’m just a kid, and kids shouldn’t see adults kissing!” She then sneakily glanced through the gaps between her fingers.

“Joy, don’t be naughty,” Melba said, barely holding back her laughter as she took Joy’s hand. “You’re making them feel awkward!”

Hadley pressed her lips together, her expression ghostly and strained as she glared at Eric. “Shouldn’t you be on your way?”

“Uh, yes, I should go,” Eric said quickly, eager to avoid further upsetting her.

As he turned to leave, Joy opened her arms wide for a goodbye embrace.

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