The Billionaire’s Secret Quartet novel Chapter 1419

"I agree. Go ahead with your plan," George said, clapping Alaric on the shoulder with a reassuring thud.

"The Reeds have really thrown you a lifeline in business. Try not to burn bridges with them," Michael reminded Alaric before he left. After casting a meaningful glance at Hertha, he made his exit.

One by one, the rest of the stakeholders filtered out of the room.

At the conference room door, only Hertha and Alaric remained.

The once bustling space quieted down, and the air seemed to thicken with an odd tension that made Hertha feel uneasy, her heartbeat picking up pace.

"Um, I actually..."

"Sorry you had to see that circus," Alaric cut in before she could continue, his normally carefree eyes clouded with a certain gravity.

The roguish charm that usually danced in his eyes seemed to have dimmed, leaving him looking decidedly deflated.

He was apologizing to Hertha for having to witness such an unbecoming scene.

He was frustrated with himself, too. Anyone could've seen him in that state, but the last person he wanted to be seen like that by was Hertha.

And yet, she had witnessed it.

Alaric felt as if his pride had been dragged through the mud, and he couldn't bear to face Hertha.

After that apology, he turned to leave.

Hertha stood stunned, her mouth agape, struggling to reconcile the image of the embarrassed, guilt-ridden man before her with the flamboyant, carefree Alaric she knew.