Chapter 1230


    "Seriously, Hertha? This is what you dragged me out for?" ric asked with a raised brow, his casual


    attire contrasting sharply with the urgency in his voice.


    "What else? My bestie gets bulldozed by that jerk Lysander, and you think I''m just gonna let it slide?"


    Hertha retorted, her fiery spirit matching her fiery hair.


    "If you hadn''t dragged her to that blind date, she wouldn''t be in this mess," ric pointed out.


    He knew Hertha was kicking herself over the whole situation, yet he couldn''t resist poking at her sore


    spot.


    Hertha''s breathing deepened, and with a flicker of her eyelids, she shot him a re that could freeze


    hell over. "I get jittery on dates, okay? She''s my one and only best friend. Who else was I supposed to


    bring along, you?"


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    "Why would you get jittery?" ric pressed, his tone turning serious.


    "Isn''t it obvious? Because it''s terrifying! I''m not some heartless yboy like you!" Hertha snapped back.


    ric had a reputation for being a heartbreaker, a smooth operator who''d charmed his way through a


    string of romances. His sweet nothings were legendary, at least until he got what he wanted. Then,


    poof! Like a magician''s act, the sweet talk vanished.


    Hertha had witnessed first-hand his prowess in wooing women as well as his ruthless side.


    Just like Lysander with Thssa, all take and no give.


    Hearing her blunt words, ric felt a twinge in his chest, as if shards of ss were lodged in his heart,


    causing a mix of pain and frustration.


    Hertha''s nerves over the blind date were because she cared too much, worried about being rejected or


    ending up alone.


    Why get worked up over something bound to fail?


    In her eyes, her true love was Spencer. For him, she''d pinch pennies and skip meals.


    For ric? She saw him as a fool. Once she had her cash, she''d spend without a second thought.


    ric''s hands clenched on his knees, his usual sultry, nted eyes now stripped of their charm,


    reced with a simmering anger as he stared at Hertha.


    No woman had ever infuriated him like this.


    Hertha felt the shift in the air, and it scared her. The powerful stance she was known for softened, and


    with a blink, she stammered, "What... what are you going to do?"


    He wouldn''t really hit her, would he?


    The usually fearless Boss Lady Hertha was now intimidated by ric''s wrathful gaze.


    Just as she was about to make a run for it, ric spoke up, "Well, I wish you luck on your blind date,


    hope you find true love! Bartender, bring us ten bottles of whiskey!"


    His voice was stern as he ordered, his face a mask of severity.


    Whiskey – that was no light drink from the bar.


    His words congratted Hertha on finding love, but his eyes were full of anything but joy.


    Hertha, who had been about to stand, sat back down, frowning at him. "What do you need the liquor


    for?"


    She had once doggedly imed to adore him – was it all for the two million bucks?


    Was it his family''s wealth she was after, not him as a person? Was their supposed love at first sight just


    an act? Reаd at Draмanоvels


    Deep down, ric held out hope, hoping it wasn''t all about the money.


    ric''s eyes, once filled with a glimmer of hope, dimmed with pain as he looked away. The bartender


    set down ten opened bottles of whiskey on their table.