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."

she heard her daughter's dismissive words, causing her brows to knit

locked onto the ring on Hertha's finger,

retorted, her pride not allowing her to admit anything, despite the awkwardness of being

see the ring clearly: "If you

suddenly remembering the engagement ring Alaric

to a scuffle between the

down right now!" Kimberly commanded with a

to realize that this was not the time for jokes; she was

longer trying to remove the ring,

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

what's going on," Kimberly said,