The Billionaire’s Secret Quartet novel Chapter 1425

The warmth in Alaric’s heart had no chance to surface before it was cruelly drowned in the ocean.

His face darkened as he watched Hertha and Spencer exchanging greetings casually.

Still holding onto a thread of hope, he questioned, "You both live here?"

"Yeah, is there a problem?" Hertha answered without hesitation, her eyes calm and steady after an initial flicker of panic.

“Mr. Falconer, I’ve heard Hertha mention you before. It’s worth celebrating to see old friends, isn’t it? I’ve just picked up some stuff for a barbecue tonight, why don’t you join us?” Spencer invited with a friendly smile.

“Oh, come on! He’s now the Vice President of Falconer Group, busy managing a huge business empire. He’s much too unavailable for a casual dinner with us,” Hertha said, her voice cool as she declined on Alaric’s behalf.

The last thing she wanted was for Alaric to linger. How could she possibly want him to stay for dinner?

Especially when her kids might come back home any minute now. That would push her world to a whirlwind.

Hertha was eager to send Alaric away now. But to him, her excuses sounded like a different message.

Hertha was mocking him, suggesting he only got the Vice President position because of the Reed family's connections.

And that his busy schedule was filled with obligations to the Reeds.

Alaric felt a sharp pain in his heart, as if it had been pricked by needles. His very bones felt as if they were soaked in brine, heavy and sour.

Three years can witness a lot.

In the end, Hertha had married Spencer! They lived together, and the way they communicated was distinctly that of a married couple.

Yes, three years ago Hertha had said it herself that her interest in Alaric was fleeting, but her feelings for Spencer were genuine.

That was close. Alaric had almost discovered her children.

As tough as she was, she couldn’t stand against the Falconer family, so the best strategy was to keep her children’s existence a secret from them.

“Sorry about that, I didn’t mean to give him the wrong idea.” Hertha said, snapping back to reality and apologizing to Spencer.

Spencer’s lips curled with a smile that held a tinge of bitterness.

“You like him, don’t you? Why didn’t you explain?” he asked.

“Ah, liking someone and seeing the reality are two different things. Anyway, do you think you’ve bought too much for just us to eat?” Hertha deflected, eyeing the bags in Spencer’s hands.

“I bought it to share with you guys,” Spencer said, his voice soft.