The Billionaire’s Secret Quartet (Thalassa and Elowen)
Chapter 1657

The burly man was terrified, immediately raising his hands in a gesture of surrender, "Don't shoot, I haven't done anything yet, please don't shoot..."

His voice was thick with desperation.

The arrogance and lust that had filled him moments ago had vanished in an instant.

He was just a thug, looking for a taste of the forbidden fruit, but he wasn't ready to lose his life over it.

The cop kept the gun trained on him while pulling out handcuffs. Stepping forward, he secured the man's hands behind his back.

"Thalassa! Are you okay?" Hertha burst into the room, her heart tightening at the sight of Thalassa lying on the bed, a look of utter despair in her eyes. She quickly tore off the tape sealing Thalassa's mouth and anxiously untied the ropes binding her hands.

The moment the ropes fell away, Thalassa seemed to breathe anew. She wrapped her arms around Hertha, crying softly, her fear pouring out.

Hertha held her tightly, gently patting her back, trying to offer comfort, "It's okay, you're safe now... don't be afraid."

Despite her comforting words, tears streamed down Hertha's face too.

The past few hours had been a nightmare, filling her with terror.

When she had run to the roadside seeking help, luck had been on her side as a police car passed by. Hertha had flagged it down, and after being rescued, she explained the situation to the officers. With her guidance, the officers quickly made their way to the motel, and with the authority of the law behind them, the front desk clerk dared not conceal which room the burly man had taken Thalassa to. Knowing the exact room saved precious time, and when the officers burst in, the burly man hadn't managed to do anything yet.

Thank goodness for the roadside police car, thank goodness the burly man hadn't had the chance, thank goodness the worst hadn't happened.

Thalassa clung to Hertha's clothing, biting her lip, trying not to cry, but tears fell unchecked, her previous terror still unassuaged.

As her fear and despair were released, Thalassa's body shook slightly.

Feeling her tremble, Hertha's heart ached even more, her tears falling freely, "Thalassa, I'm so sorry, I shouldn't have suggested we go to that diner..."

If they hadn't gone out, none of this would have happened. Hertha could only imagine the fear and despair Thalassa must have felt.

Thalassa released Hertha, her eyes watery as she shook her head, "It's not your fault. Don't think like that. You saved me. If not for you, I... I could have been ruined."

If Hertha hadn't arrived with the police in time, Thalassa's fate could have been sealed.

They comforted each other, Thalassa wiping the tears from Hertha's cheeks, Hertha doing the same for Thalassa.

Their movements were almost synchronized, each wiping away the other's tears, and then, despite the tears, they smiled.

But those smiles were tinged with so much bitterness and helplessness.

Yet, from that moment, they understood a profound truth: a woman can only rely on herself. Only through self-rescue, independence, confidence, and self-sufficiency can she truly shine. Romance and men, in crucial moments, they're unreliable. Love and men can leave a woman battered and bruised.

The folly of drowning sorrows over a man, risking everything, is the height of foolishness.

Women must be strong and independent, shining brightly on their own. Happiness is self-made, never dependent on others.