The Billionaire’s Secret Quartet (Thalassa and Elowen)

Ethan locked eyes with her, the fury in her gaze making him shrink back a little.

He had heeded Alaric's advice and arrived early at Lydia's apartment complex, hoping to offer her a ride to work. But he had no clue which apartment was Lydia's, nor whether she had already left, so he ended up asking the security guard at the gate. The guard mentioned that Lydia had just left a short while ago, so Ethan hurried after her. Little did he know, he'd catch up just in time to see Lydia confronting Jesse about a fight from the day before! At that moment, Ethan felt a sense of dread creeping up on him. But it was too late to stop Jesse from spilling the beans.

"Hey, Dr. Lydia," Ethan managed to find his voice amidst the thick tension, greeting her first.

Lydia shot him a fierce look, filled with disappointment and anger, then turned and walked away without a word. Her silence scared Ethan more than any scolding could.

As soon as Lydia stepped away, Ethan quickly caught up, explaining anxiously, "Dr. Lydia, it's all Alaric's fault for giving me this terrible advice. He suggested I play the damsel in distress so you'd play the hero, creating a reason for us to connect. I already gave Alaric an earful yesterday!"

so frustrated. His good days hadn't even properly started, and everything had already gone south. Why was it so easy for Alaric to chase after women, but so hard for

me!" Lydia didn't even turn her head, her words as cold as ice, quickening her

at all these bruises

because he hadn't met a womandike her. And now that he had, he didn't want to let her slip away. Missing out on

anger bursting forth. Her chest heaved, and through gritted teeth, she yelled. Ethan froze, Lydia's outburst startling him into immobility, his neck shrinking back. Facing Lydia's fury,

sorry, I swear I won't do it again. Please, forgive

quench Lydia's anger. On the contrary, it fanned the flames even higher. She detested being deceived more than anything. Especially