The Billionaire’s Secret Quartet (Thalassa and Elowen) novel Chapter 1230

"Seriously, Hertha? This is what you dragged me out for?" Alaric asked with a raised brow, his casual attire contrasting sharply with the urgency in his voice.

"What else? My bestie gets bulldozed by that jerk Lysander, and you think I'm just gonna let it slide?" Hertha retorted, her fiery spirit matching her fiery hair.

"If you hadn't dragged her to that blind date, she wouldn't be in this mess," Alaric pointed out.

He knew Hertha was kicking herself over the whole situation, yet he couldn't resist poking at her sore spot.

Hertha's breathing deepened, and with a flicker of her eyelids, she shot him a glare that could freeze hell over. "I get jittery on dates, okay? She's my one and only best friend. Who else was I supposed to bring along, you?"

"Why would you get jittery?" Alaric pressed, his tone turning serious.

"Isn't it obvious? Because it's terrifying! I'm not some heartless playboy like you!" Hertha snapped back.

Alaric had a reputation for being a heartbreaker, a smooth operator who'd charmed his way through a string of romances. His sweet nothings were legendary, at least until he got what he wanted. Then, poof! Like a magician's act, the sweet talk vanished.

Hertha had witnessed first-hand his prowess in wooing women as well as his ruthless side.

Just like Lysander with Thalassa, all take and no give.

Hearing her blunt words, Alaric felt a twinge in his chest, as if shards of glass were lodged in his heart, causing a mix of pain and frustration.

Hertha's nerves over the blind date were because she cared too much, worried about being rejected or ending up alone.

Why get worked up over something bound to fail?

In her eyes, her true love was Spencer. For him, she'd pinch pennies and skip meals.

For Alaric? She saw him as a fool. Once she had her cash, she'd spend without a second thought.

Alaric's hands clenched on his knees, his usual sultry, slanted eyes now stripped of their charm, replaced with a simmering anger as he stared at Hertha.