The Billionaire's Secret Quartet

Ashton didn't utter a word, just nodded at Kimberly's command and headed to the room to grab their family records.

Alaric was over the moon, while Hertha's eyes widened in shock. Turning to her mother, she exclaimed, "Mom, are you serious?"

"Sweetie, when have I ever joked about something like this?" Kimberly chided, her tone playful yet firm.

In just a few moments, Ashton was back, handing over the documents to Hertha. "Go on, the sooner you leave, the sooner you're back. Your mom's pork rib stew is almost ready."

Hertha was taken aback, glancing at the documents and then at her father. Were her parents really that eager to see her married off?

"What are you waiting for? Take these and go! It's 1:40 now, the registry office opens at 2. If you hurry, you can be the first in line. Get it done and come back home for lunch," Kimberly urged, nudging Hertha's arm, signaling her to take the documents quickly.

Hertha was still dazed. She had been eagerly waiting for Alaric to come back with the documents, but as time passed, her anticipation turned to disappointment, doubting Alaric's feelings for her.

Once doubt creeps in, that intense anticipation just fades away.

give up, Alaric returned, documents in hand, urgently wanting to marry

on to her anticipation or give

hesitated, Alaric took the documents from Ashton, wrapped an arm around her shoulders with an intimacy that faced both Ashton and Kimberly, and said

that, he took the documents, still arm in arm with

Helena took a few steps after them,

daddy and mommy

didn't say a word,

both confused and a bit

Alaric?

during the wait, the moment they were actually heading

Alaric was thrilled, his face beaming

normal pace until they reached the registry office at

were ten minutes late,