The Billionaire’s Secret Quartet (Thalassa and Elowen)

Ethan gingerly touched his throbbing eye, wincing at the sharp pain that greeted his fingertips. "Damn, she really packs a punch," he muttered to himself.

"Who told you to catch me? Where did you think you were touching just now?" Lydia's voice rose, her chest heaving with anger.

The thought of being touched in places no one had dared to before, especially by a man, filled her with indignation and a sense of violation. The idea alone made her blood boil, her thoughts racing with visions of retribution.

Hearing her, Ethan's mind raced back to the moment of contact, the unique sensation making him suddenly sheepish. "It was all so chaotic, I... I wasn't really thinking..."

"Not the truth, huh?"

"Ow!" Another punch landed in Ethan's gut, eliciting a pained yelp from him.

Struggling to lift his gaze, he saw Lydia's fist raised again, this time aimed at his face. Panic set in, and Ethan braced for impact, shutting his eyes tight.

But instead of pain, the sound of a ringing phone halted Lydia's wrathful arm mid-air.

With a fierce glare, Lydia withdrew her fist and fished her phone from her pocket.

laced with barely

I sent someone over to see you. His friend's sick and he needs your help. Did he make it there?"

to Ethan still kneeling before her.

quickly confirmed, "Yes, it's me.

Lydia snapped at him,

him, his earlier

he there with you?" Thalassa's voice broke

here, I've got it from here," Lydia

turned to Ethan, "So, how do you propose we settle

the fierce determination in her stance. He knew better than to expect any

from Lydia's formidable expression to his own

just at the doorstep

your lab experiment exploded,

out. There

or avoiding it. I meant

you away, but ended up catching you in...