The Billionaire's Secret Quartet

Hertha's big, round eyes were locked on Alaric as she suddenly remembered something. "Wait, isn't W Thalassa? When she picked that stage name, I was her sounding board."

Alaric, with a grin that was all too eager to please, said, "Right, it hit me later too. That Ruby said your designs aren't worth as much as Thalassa's..."

"Ah, well, Thalassa's the talk of the town now, a designer in high demand. I can't compare to her, can I? And just because of that, you went and cracked someone's head open?" The revelation that her work was deemed less valuable than Thalassa's initially cooled Hertha's temper and forced her to face reality.

Thalassa was her closest friend, the one she had dragged into the jewelry business. Now, Thalassa's fame was skyrocketing, her creations were like gold dust.

Everyone wanted a piece of her magic but could hardly get it.

That Ruby, having got her hands on one of Thalassa's phone charms, must have treasured it like a rare gem. But to have it ruined by Alaric in a heartbeat, no wonder she was less than thrilled.

A simple rebuttal led to a cracked skull – talk about being unjustly wronged.

Alaric nodded, "Exactly, I was so heated. In my eyes, Hertha, your designs are the best, the most valuable. When someone belittled your work, of course, I got mad. I can't stand anyone talking down about you."

Seizing the moment, Alaric made his feelings clear, showing just how much he valued Hertha.

was about to lose herself in the moment, skepticism crept into her gaze. "Are you making up stories again to cheer me up?

game of love, could

but a wave of sarcasm snapped her back to

and her own infatuation, she had pursued him recklessly, losing herself and ending up with

the biggest blunder of her otherwise proud

fall for Alaric's ways

Hertha stood up

make you happy, I meant every word.

or it didn't happen. I wouldn't lie," he said, playing

hospital room, the camera focusing on a woman's

an IV in her arm, it was clear she was a

Ruby

Mr. Falconer's replacement