The Billionaire's Secret Quartet

Under the sharp gaze of her mother, Hertha wilted, immediately retracting the fierce look in her eyes and offering her mother an awkward smile, without shrugging off Alaric's hand resting on her shoulder. "Hertha and I have cleared up the misunderstandings that have long stood between us, and we've decided to be together. Please give us your blessing." Seeing Hertha hadn't pushed him away, Alaric grew bolder, feeling confident enough to lay it all out to Hertha's parents.

Hertha not pushing his hand off her shoulder in front of her mother was an indication; she was giving him a chance.

A chance to show his true feelings in front of her mother. If Kimberly accepted him, he could truly be with Hertha.

This was an opportunity too good to miss. And he'd be a fool to let it slip through his fingers.

So, despite the nerves clawing at his insides, he steeled himself and laid it all out.

No sooner had he finished speaking than Hertha pushed his hand away, countering, "Who says I want to be with you? Don't get ahead of yourself."

the chance to react before she heard her daughter's dismissive

on Hertha's finger, "You accepted

Hertha retorted, her pride not allowing her

her hand, lifting it for Kimberly to see the ring clearly: "If you didn't accept my proposal, then how do

paused, suddenly remembering the engagement ring Alaric

to a scuffle between

calm down right now!" Kimberly commanded with a stern

this was not the time

then stopped resisting, no longer trying to remove the ring, and pushed Alaric's hand away to

Alaric, as long as Hertha wasn't trying to remove

what's going on," Kimberly