The Billionaire's Secret Quartet

"Hey, Hertha, come on, don't be like that. Everything I said earlier was true." Richard was getting anxious seeing Hertha's cold response.

Alaric had threatened him, saying they'd be through if he didn't smooth things over with Hertha.

Richard truly valued his friendship with Alaric.

"Mr. Richard, you might as well leave. You're ruining our dinner. We were enjoying our meal until you showed up, and now we've lost our appetite," Hertha said, clearly not interested in prolonging the conversation.

Richard was taken aback, "What do you mean? Do I look that off-putting to you?"

"Take it however you want to. We're going to eat now," Hertha picked up her fork and knife again, resuming her meal, ignoring Richard completely.

Getting the hint, Richard nodded, stood up, and walked away.

The table fell silent again. Hertha chewed her food, but it tasted bland, and she felt a sudden weariness, as if all her energy had been drained. "Maybe you should give Richard a chance?" Thalassa leaned in and whispered to Hertha.

Hertha gave her a glance and said, "Even you caught the obvious flaws in his story. How can we trust him? I'd rather trust the police."

if it's

no going back for me and Alaric." Hertha cut Thalassa off, her voice tinged with sadness. "Alaric

opened her mouth to say something more but stopped at Hertha's clear

the restaurant and immediately called

had cleared his day to explain to Hertha that Alaric was innocent, but it had all

had to

call connected, Richard knew Alaric

did it go?" Alaric

me. She thinks I'm some kind of

"Damn it,

4chard, you've screwed

Alaric cursed,

for nothing.

bear to