The Billionaire’s Secret Quartet (Thalassa and Elowen)

"But I didn't really have my fill earlier," Alaric murmured, wishing more than anything to grab a bite alone with Hertha.

Since they'd met, it seemed like they hadn't once dined alone or caught a movie together-none of the typical things couples do. And Alaric, he really wanted to do all that with Hertha.

"You not having enough to eat sounds like a you problem, not a me problem!" Hertha said with an air of indifference. She walked briskly, soon reaching the park across from their neighborhood. Sitting down on a bench, she flicked a glance at Alaric and said, "Sit."

Alaric paused for a moment but didn't press further. The fact that Hertha was calm enough to sit with him was already a win. Asking for more might mean losing even the chance to chat.

Alaric sat next to Hertha, pulling out his phone to show her a video from his gallery. "That day, I was in a foul mood, so I hit up Richard and Ethan to grab some drinks at Sapphire Skyline. Out of nowhere, Zola shows up with a bunch of girls. We didn't ask for company, but this one, Ruby, she just oversteps, trying to feed me a drink. I lost it and pushed her away, and she fell, spilling her necklace and scattering the rubies everywhere. She looked so pitiful. I offered to compensate with a similar necklace, but she had the nerve to say mine was less valuable!"

craftsmanship and material were nearly identical. Guess why she claimed mine

and curious, stayed on him,

so it was worth less than a third of hers! I was livid. I mean, how could she undervalue your

settle with a piece designed by me?" Hertha was taken aback, her

your work. And then she goes and says your design's worthless. That just set me off, and I pushed her again. She hit her head on the coffee table, got a gash, and next thing I know, I'm at the police station. That's the whole

awaited Hertha's reaction, worried she might not believe him. Richard had warned him, he'd laid out the facts for Hertha, but she was

leaving no

Hertha, he saw her breathing heavily, her cheeks puffed out in anger. Her baby-fat cheeks, already plump, looked even rounder, making her appear

edge, fearing she was angry or still doubted his story. Just as he was about to offer further proof, Hertha slapped her thigh in outrage. "That's outrageous, looking down on