The Billionaire’s Secret Quartet (Thalassa and Elowen) novel Chapter 1406

Hertha's round, doe-like eyes fixed on Georgia with a fiery glare, irritation ready to spill from her lips in a heated tirade.

But suddenly, Alaric extricated his arm from Georgia's grasp, casting her an annoyed glance. "Georgia, cussing someone out as soon as you see them, is that what you'd call cultured? Don't make me think you haven't even finished elementary school!"

At Alaric's words, the anger boiling inside Hertha simmered down to a mere half of its fury.

What was going on?

Was Alaric actually standing up for her?

Wasn't Georgia his fiancée?

Three years prior, Alaric and Georgia's engagement party had set the town of Starhaven abuzz, with every major media outlet clamoring to cover the event. The ceremony was both lavish and grand, and it lasted two days—much more extravagant than most engagement parties.

Hertha wanted nothing to do with news about Alaric, wishing to remain ignorant of his engagement to Georgia.

But television, social media, news alerts—everywhere she turned, the splendor of Alaric and Georgia's engagement was broadcasted.

Even if there was a shred of longing left in Hertha for Alaric, it was thoroughly extinguished by the grandeur of that engagement party.

Three years after their engagement, Hertha didn't know why Alaric and Georgia hadn't wed, but she was certain they had been intimate.

She didn't know how many times, but she was crystal clear about one instance—they had truly slept together.

If once they'd shared a bed, then surely there must have been more after their engagement.

Now, Alaric was not siding with his own fiancée but defending her, an outsider.