Chapter 1173


    This was the life of the elderly, a serene and tranquil existence.


    In his room, ric slept soundly, his dreams filled with warm embraces of Hertha, whose slightly plump


    figure provided aforting softness to hold. The scent of her femininity was a siren''s call, tempting


    him to kiss her over and over again.


    Still ensnared by the dream, ric''s lips puckered as he imagined continuing his affections for Hertha.


    But as his consciousness abruptly surfaced, he opened his eyes to find his arms hugging nothing but


    air.


    Hertha was no longer by his side. Scrambling to his feet, he realized he was on the floor. A nce at


    the bed revealed it too was empty, no sign of Hertha anywhere in the room.


    Couldst night''s passionate encounter have been just a figment of his dreams?


    A sense of loss washed over ric as his gaze dropped to the floor. There, on the cashmere carpet, a


    splotch of red caught his eye.


    The bloodstain was none other than Hertha''s.


    Her virginity was given to him.


    It was the undeniable evidence of their stormy night of love.


    Remembering what he had said to Hertha before they made love, ric felt a tightness in his throat.


    He said that what he said to his grandpa wasn''t all a lie. His words to his grandpa were that he liked


    her and would marry her.


    Finally, Hertha agreed and gave herself to him.


    Rushing to the bathroom for a quick shower and throwing on clothes, ric hurried downstairs, anxiety


    wing at him.


    Downstairs, only his mother Angelina sat at the breakfast table, a full, untouched meal opposite her.


    ric strode over and asked, "Mom, where''s Hertha?"


    Angelina looked up, her gaze sharp and severe. "You have the nerve to ask about her? She threw a


    tantrum this morning, refused breakfast, and demanded two million, iming you owe her."


    "What? She asked you for two million? That''s absurd." ric couldn''t believe it.


    "Do you think I''m lying? She came down in a huff, using you of taking advantage of herst night.


    She wanted hush money, said if I paid her, she''d leave us alone forever. That''s ckmail, pure and


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    simple! What kind of gold-digger did you bring into the Falconer family? It''s a disgrace."Angelina''s


    anger was palpable as she spoke.


    ric''s face darkened, his jaw clenched. "That can''t be true. She''s not like that."


    "Still don''t believe me?" Angelina retorted, pulling out her phone to show the transaction record. "Here,


    see for yourself."


    The sight of Hertha''s name as the recipient felt like a punch to ric''s gut, his expression turning even


    more grim.


    "I told you," Angelina continued, "only the daughters of noble families have virtue and decency. Look at


    the women you find outside, all after your fortune."


    "Enough!" ric''s voice thundered as he cut her off, his re sending a clear message that silenced


    Angelina.


    Without another word, ric stormed out of the house, leaving his mother with a sly smirk on her face.


    Her rationalization was that whatever she did was for her son''s own good.


    If ric were to lose his ce as the head of the Falconer group, that would be the real regret of his


    life.


    "Eloise, go tidy up the young master''s room," Angelinamanded after a moment, then paused,


    reconsidering. "Never mind, I''ll do it myself."