The Billionaire’s Secret Quartet novel Chapter 2099

If Ethan kept pressing his luck, he might just end up getting a taste of his own medicine. With Dr. Funke out of the clinic and no other patients around, Lydia had no reservations. Beating him up would be as easy as taking candy from a baby, right? Ethan sighed, knowing better than to provoke her further. He could only grab his prescription and sulk away from the clinic.

Back at the office, as he passed by Alaric’s office, he heard Alaric humming a tune, as cheerful as if he had just won the lottery. Ethan initially walked past but then doubled back, leaning casually against the doorway, arms crossed, eyeing Alaric who was bobbing his head to the music. “What's got into you, conquered an army of women last night?” Ethan joked.

Alaric looked up to see Ethan, a playful smirk on his lips, tossing around a bawdy joke. In the past, he would've shot back with a quip of his own. But now, hearing such a risqué joke felt almost like an insult. He hurriedly said, “Dude, I’m a married man now, can’t be chasing women like you. Can't afford those kinds of jokes anymore. If Hertha hears about it, I’m a dead man.”

Ethan felt a twinge of discomfort at Alaric's words. Especially the part about "chasing women like you" felt like a jab at him. “And since tying the knot with Hertha, your happiness meter's off the charts. Is marital bliss really that great?” Ethan asked Alaric.

Alaric, brimming with enthusiasm, walked up to Ethan, ready to preach about the joys of marriage. How could he explain it in a way that Ethan would get it? He tried to find the right words several times but realized it wasn't going to work. Everyone's definition of happiness is different. What he felt, Ethan might not understand. After a few failed attempts, he finally gave up.

“Forget it, talking to a bachelor and skeptic like you about love is like casting pearls before swine.” Alaric returned to his desk, clicking away at his mouse while humming a tune.

Ethan approached, leaning over the desk, eyes slightly narrowed, “How am I supposed to understand if you don't explain?”

“Ever watched any of those romantic comedies?” Alaric suddenly asked him.

“No, why?” Ethan responded.

“If you haven't even seen those, why waste my breath? You don’t know the first thing about love, let alone the sweetness of being with someone you cherish. Explaining it to you would be like talking to a wall,” Alaric said bluntly.

Ethan replied, “Are you discriminating against me?”

“That's not discrimination, it's the truth, and you need to accept it. If you disagree, then tell me, have you ever pursued a woman? Have you ever been moved by one? Do you even know what that feels like?” Alaric shot back, knowing full well Ethan wouldn't have the answers. He knew Ethan inside out; his friend never dated, never pursued women. All he cared about was work and making money, missing out on the joys of being a man.

“Isn’t it just like feeling you’ve lost something when you don’t see her for a day, and getting electric shocks when you touch her?” Ethan suddenly said.

“Damn, you’re in love?” Alaric was stunned. It was as if the sun had risen from the west.