The Billionaire’s Secret Quartet (Thalassa and Elowen) novel Chapter 1698

Hertha's breathing hitched, her eyelashes fluttered, and as she closed her eyes, she could feel Alaric's hot breath on her cheek, his lips inching closer and closer, almost about to kiss her when—

"Hertha, why can't I open your room?" Suddenly, Kimberly's voice echoed from outside the door.

Hertha's mind raced, shocked, she opened her eyes wide and saw Alaric's handsome face so close to hers. Hastily, she pushed him away with one hand and nervously responded to her mother outside, "Oh, the door lock is acting up..."

After she spoke, Hertha twisted her face in guilt, amazed at her own ability to lie on the spot.

"The lock's broken? What a hassle, can't even get into the room. I'll go out and buy a new one," Kimberly said before leaving.

Only after hearing the door close did Hertha let out a huge sigh of relief, nearly scared to death.

Her heart was like a roller coaster, soaring and diving, thrilling yet terrifying.

Just as Hertha relaxed, Alaric's deep, teasing voice sounded in her ear: "I helped you out. How are you going to thank me?"

Hertha looked at him incredulously, "Have you no shame? When did you ever help me?"

"The keys are on the dining table," Alaric said.

Seeing his amused expression, Hertha instantly understood—Alaric had locked the room from the outside when he came out.

That's why her mother couldn’t open the door.

Hertha chuckled mockingly, "Didn't know you had psychic abilities. So impressive, why don't you become a fortune-teller?"

After speaking, Hertha grabbed a bathrobe hanging in the bathroom, wrapped it around herself, and stepped out.

She immediately picked up the keys to unlock the door, swiftly gathered the clothes scattered on the floor, not bothering to sort whose were whose, and threw them all into the washing machine, followed by the bedsheets.

After adding detergent, she started the washing machine.