The Billionaire's Secret Quartet

Alaric gently took Hertha's hand, sliding three credit cards into her palm with a charming smile, his eyes twinkling with a mischievous glint and lips curved into a crescent moon. It was a gesture of pure affection and trust.

Hertha, caught off guard, blinked her large eyes in disbelief. She thought Alaric was joking at first, but there he was, seriously handing over his financial lifelines to her.

"Alaric, you really shouldn't have," Hertha started, feeling a mix of embarrassment and astonishment.

Before she could finish, Alaric cut her off, "This card right here, it's the one I get my salary on. You know I've been working with the Crawley Group, and they're pretty solid about dropping the paycheck on the fifteenth every month. Feel free to check the balance then."

He pointed to the first card he gave her and then moved to the next, "This one's from when I was dabbling with some investments during my stint with the Falconer family. Got lucky with a startup that pays out dividends annually. You can take a look at the start of each year, see what's come in."

Alaric explained with such earnestness that Hertha didn't want to interrupt, instead listening intently.

She had pegged Alaric as a playboy, never suspecting he had a knack for investments and financial planning.

Falconer family. Used to be my mom would deposit some spending money every month. Haven't touched it

Alaric's explanations, it was clear that this card was

her with his entire

the knot, and here you are, handing over your entire wealth to me. Aren't you scared I'll

was a light-hearted

filled with warmth, "To be deemed worthy

tears. Alaric's words had moved her deeply, a

Alaric on the forehead, "Who in their right mind

you, I don't mind being this kind

heart fluttering, stirring emotions she hadn't