The Billionaire’s Secret Quartet novel Chapter 1785

"Back off, buddy. Sooner or later, you'll end up wrapped around some lady's finger," Alaric teased, shoving him lightly to deflect the ribbing.

He made his way to the dining table, aiming to soothe any tension with his grandparents. Luckily, they hadn't brought up anything about kids this time.

Otherwise, he was pretty sure Hertha would've knocked his teeth out right then and there.

Dinner was a quiet affair for Remington and Beatrice, too. Both seemed lost in their own worlds, barely touching their food.

After the meal, Ethan took on the duty of driving Remington and Beatrice home, while Alaric trudged back to his apartment, head full of thoughts.

He kept going over the advice Remington had shared with him at dinner. To win Hertha's heart, he needed to become someone her kids couldn't live without.

A light bulb went off in Alaric's head. That was it! He finally had a clue!

The old saying was true: there's no substitute for experience!

The next afternoon.

Hertha was dozing off at her desk when her phone suddenly buzzed to life, waking her up. Squinting, she saw it was a call from her mom. Wiping the drool off her chin, she quickly answered, "Hello?"

"Hertha, the kids are gone!" Kimberly's voice tore through the phone, panic-stricken.

Hertha's brain buzzed. "What did you say?"

Kimberly, trembling with fear, replied, "I was watching the kids play on the slide downstairs. I got distracted chatting with Mrs. Wilson from the next building over for just a moment, and when I looked back, they were gone! I've searched the entire complex, but I can't find them anywhere!"

With that, she raced off like a shot.

Arriving at the complex in record time, Hertha saw Kimberly still frantically calling out for Julian and Helena, panic written all over her face.

Hertha rushed over, grabbing her mother's arm. "Mom, any luck?"

Turning to see her daughter, Kimberly's face crumbled, tears streaming down as her hands shook. "No, nothing. We've checked all the security footage, but there's no sign of where they might have gone..."

Hertha felt numb, her mind a void. The thought of her children being lost was unimaginable.

Trembling, she pulled out her phone, muttering, "I'll call the police. They'll help us find them..."