The Billionaire’s Secret Quartet novel Chapter 1677

Hertha's good nature evaporated in an instant, replaced by a blaze of anger that surged up into her chest. Known for not taking any lip, Hertha stormed a few steps towards Georgia and Angelina, her presence fierce as she glared at them and barked, "What's with the late-night yapping, huh? Whose unruly mutts got loose, biting everyone in sight? Rabid dogs belong in the pound, not breathing this fresh air!"

"You..." Georgia, instantly riled up by Hertha's biting words, was about to retaliate when Angelina swiftly grabbed her hand, stopping her mid-gesture.

Their mission was to persuade Alaric to come home, to show him Georgia had shed her diva-like attitude, promising a change from her former self. But if Georgia were to engage in a shouting match with Hertha, it would only push Alaric further away. The bigger picture mattered, of course, but so did handling foes.

"Arguing with us won’t get you anywhere. You took my two million, promising not to hassle Alaric anymore, and yet here you are, in his house. Isn't that backtracking? If you had any decency, you’d leave right now!" Angelina assertively told Hertha.

Hertha glanced at Alaric, expecting some form of support as Angelina and Georgia bullied her, yet he just stood there, clenching his jaw, a clear sign of holding back immense frustration, but without any intention to intervene.

Her heart sank. Turning to Angelina, she said, "What my principles are isn’t for you to define! Whether I leave or stay is my choice. You better watch your mouth!"

After glaring at Angelina, Hertha quickly left, refusing to look back at anyone in the house. Her visit was meant to discuss their children with Alaric, to talk about their future. But with Alaric taking Georgia's side by default, failing to address the conflict between her and Angelina, Hertha felt utterly disappointed. Thankfully, she hadn't revealed that the children were his; otherwise, she would have dug herself into an even deeper hole.

Fuming and disillusioned, Hertha returned home. Georgia, impressed by Angelina's handling of the situation, glanced at her admiringly. Angelina had managed to send Hertha packing with just a few words, sparing Georgia a potential spat and the embarrassment in front of Alaric.

Patting her hand in a comforting manner, Angelina gently turned to Alaric and said, "Alaric, living on your own without anyone to look after you, where do you even eat? Look at how thin you’ve become. You should come back home. Mom was wrong to argue with you; please forgive her and come home."

Alaric, his eyes narrow and tinged with red, stared intensely at Angelina, "Was it you who offered Hertha the two million that morning three years ago?"

Alaric pieced together crucial information from the exchange between Angelina and Hertha. Three years prior, Angelina had told them that Hertha had demanded two million early one morning in exchange for cutting ties with Alaric. Now, their argument and the story Angelina had previously spun didn’t align. The only logical explanation was that Angelina had been lying to him.

Caught under Alaric's penetrating gaze, Angelina realized her slip-up. Too much time had passed, and she had forgotten how she had initially framed the story of Hertha demanding two million from her to Alaric and their friends, Remington Falconer and Beatrice. Her recent argument with Hertha seemed to have inadvertently revealed something.

With a flustered look, Angelina stammered, "How could it have been me initiating it? It was Hertha who asked for it. I was puzzled at the time; you were about to marry her, so why would she need money from me? Then she said she wasn’t with you for marriage but for your money, which made me angry, so I gave her the two million..."

Alaric stepped closer, his demeanor more imposing, "Not telling the truth yet?"