The Billionaire’s Secret Quartet (Thalassa and Elowen)
Chapter 1142

Hertha was in a right state of panic. She hadn't exchanged a single word with Alaric before arriving, and she was clueless about how to field the barrage of questions his folks might throw at her. To top it off, Angelina had a point. Alaric and Georgia were practically betrothed.

Just a moment ago, Alaric had propositioned her: help him break off the engagement, and in return, he'd arrange a private meeting with Dominic for her.

But the guy hadn't given her the faintest clue on how to help him get out of the engagement.

Beatrice and Remington exchanged a knowing glance before Remington spoke up thoughtfully, "Angelina, if Alaric doesn't have the hots for Georgia, we just need to find the right moment to have a heart-to- heart with her family. Matters of the heart can't be forced."

"Absolutely," Beatrice chimed in. "If it weren't for true love, Remington and I would have split eons ago."

Beatrice wasn't exactly blue-blooded. She came from humble beginnings and had fallen head over heels for Remington when they were both young. Against all odds, they ended up together. Throughout the years, Beatrice had faced her fair share of hardships in the Falconer family because of her background, but her love for Remington gave her the strength to overcome any obstacle to stay by his side. And weren't they the picture of happiness now?

Sharing a tender gaze, the depth of their affection was plain to see - each had eyes only for the other.

Hertha couldn't help but feel admired.

"But Alaric's big brother is about to tie the knot with Miss Suttner. If he can make a strategic alliance through marriage, why can't Alaric?" Angelina wasn't easily swayed by the old couple's reasoning. Alaric had a cousin two years his senior, who was effectively running the Falconer empire, while Alaric managed just a handful of subsidiaries. Angelina was worried that Alaric's cousin might clinch the CEO position of the Falconer Group for good.

Alaric had a reputation for being a ladies' man, so his own family harbored doubts about his leadership potential. If he married a woman from a non-influential family, then his power wouldn't expand. That would only diminish his chances of vying for the CEO seat.

Angelina came from a prestigious family, and it was her support that had helped Alaric's father secure the helm of Falconer Group in the first place.

Ideally, Alaric's father should have passed down the CEO title to him, but his cousin was more discreet and was about to marry Miss Suttner. With that marriage, he'd surely gain the support of the Suttners. And what did Alaric have? His high-profile antics had soured his image with the company's board members. Now, he was also bucking against marrying Georgia Reed. Was he trying to sabotage his own future?

Angelina had quizzed Hertha about her family background to weigh the pros and cons.

"Ahem, oof, my heart..." Suddenly, Remington coughed and clutched at his chest, looking quite distressed.

"Dear..." Beatrice rushed to his side.

"Dad, are you okay?" Angelina, too, was alarmed and quickly checked on Remington. Seeing his pallor, she hurriedly fetched some pills from the drawer and helped him take them.

After patting his chest soothingly, she said in frustration, "Dad, did I say something to upset you again?"

"You're not upsetting me; you're upsetting Alaric's girlfriend. She's right here, and you keep harping on about Georgia," Remington chided mildly.

"Given Alaric's track record, his girlfriend must be immune to his antics by now. I mean, she'd have to be, right? She'd stay calm and collected even if he's cuddling up to another woman right in front of her. Is that right, Hertha?"

Angelina had already sussed out Hertha. Not only had she witnessed Alaric being quite familiar with other women in Hertha's presence, but she also knew Hertha's character. She wasn't the sensitive type, but she was no pushover when it came to temperament.

Angelina knew that Hertha wasn't a sensitive girl, so she felt bold enough to throw veiled barbs at Hertha in front of Alaric's grandparents, hoping to intimidate her into backing off. If it weren't for Remington feigning a heart episode and pressing her to bring Alaric back with a suitable partner, she wouldn't indulge Alaric to bring Hertha back.