The Billionaire’s Secret Quartet (Thalassa and Elowen)

Thalassa spun around, and there was Spencer, sporting a crisp blue shirt and slate-gray slacks, striding toward her with a plump chicken in his grasp.

Relief washed over Thalassa as she greeted him, "Spencer, did you go grocery shopping?"

Spencer?

The name struck Alaric like a hammer to the heart, his steps faltered, and he turned, the carefree smirk wiped clean off his face.

Indeed, Spencer approached, a lively hen clutched in his hand.

Alaric's gaze fixed on the chicken's clucking beak, a shiver running down his spine, his skin crawling with goosebumps. Rooted to the spot, paralyzed with dread, he couldn't move an inch. Since childhood, Alaric had harbored an irrational fear of beaked creatures, chickens most of all!

the very object

to make a hearty soup for Hertha-help with her recovery," Spencer said, reaching Thalassa's

far off, he added, "Mr. Falconer, you missed out on the meal

chicken a tad higher, flaunting its quality, hinting at the savory broth it would yield. In a show of good faith, Spencer edged closer to Alaric, chicken in hand. Confronted with the chicken's beak, Alaric's deep-seated fear surfaced. He dodged behind Thalassa, panic-stricken, urging Spencer, "Keep that thing away from me.

earth had gotten

C

FAVOURITE GAMES ON

it out, Alaric thrust something into her hands, his voice

word, Alaric fled to his car, revved the engine, and sped off, leaving a

stood there, baffled.

poised and graceful Alaric Falconer, always suave and a bit wicked, had bolted in sheer

but want to laugh, having never seen this

glasses and remarked, "Mr. Falconer seems to have a fear