chapter1188

Georgia sensed something was off when she noticed Alaric's gaze drifting towards Hertha, who was

seated at the next table. His complexion changed, indicating an internal shift that didn't go unnoticed.

Georgia, who had been brimming with warm enthusiasm, suddenly felt like she had been doused with a

bucket of ice water. The chill ran from head to toe, leaving her feeling hurt and rejected even as she

leaned in closer to Alaric, her dismay plainly written across her face.

Juliet, Georgia's mother, didn't take kindly to her daughter being sidelined. Her features clouded over

with discontent as she turned to Angelina and said, "What's the deal with your son? Is he not interested

in sharing this meal with us?"

Angelina hurried to smooth things over with a placating smile. "Well, not at all," she assured. "It's just

that Alaric's been feeling under the weather today, a bit of a stomach bug, you know. That's why he

looks a bit off. It's actually quite touching that he still wanted to come out and spend time with Georgia

despite not feeling his best."

Upon hearing this, Juliet's concern was immediately piqued. "Alaric, you're not feeling well? You should

have said something sooner. We could have rescheduled for another day."

But Alaric was barely listening to their exchange. His attention was fixated on Hertha, who seemed to

be thoroughly enjoying the meal Spencer was enthusiastically serving her. They exchanged smiles,

and the way Spencer looked at Hertha was with unabashed affection.

It was clear that Spencer had taken a liking to Hertha, and she was responding in kind. Their

interaction was intimate enough that they might as well have been feeding each other.

This blind date, it appeared, was a success.

Four days earlier, Alaric had been intimate with Hertha, and upon waking, he had expected that they

would come to some agreement about their future.

However, Angelina had told him that Hertha had taken two million dollars and left without a word—

suggesting she was only after his money.

Alaric refused to believe it until he drove to her workplace, only to find that she hadn't shown up. Calls

went unanswered. His investigation revealed that she had gone on a shopping spree at the mall,

spending a cool half a million in a single day.

Two million reduced to one and a half.

The disappointment was crushing—was she really just after his money? Did she think so little of him

that two million would suffice to reel him in and cut him loose at will?

Alaric's face darkened with these thoughts, his breathing tinged with pain. Every interaction between

Hertha and Spencer was like a thorn in his side, an anguish he couldn't easily dismiss.

"Alaric, since you're not feeling well, maybe we should go somewhere else to eat," suggested Georgia,

snapping out of her stupor. Despite the blow to her pride, she remained determined to win Alaric's

heart.

His scowl unexpectedly softened as he came back to the present, a teasing smile playing on his lips.

"Well, since we're already here, why bother moving? I'm fine, really. You go ahead and order. I'll enjoy

anything you pick."

"Sounds good," Alaric replied with a small smile.

Unseen by Alaric, Hertha nonetheless overheard every word exchanged between him and Georgia.

When Alaric said he'd enjoy anything Georgia chose, it was as if Hertha's heart had been sucker-

punched. New chаpter av?ilable on

Spencer was delighted by her reaction, eagerly offering her more food, his face alight with anticipation,

waiting for Hertha to take another bite.