Chapter 1528


    ric''s charming eyes narrowed into a yful smirk as he teased, "Thssa is part of your family


    too?"


    Before Hertha or Thssa could react, ric continued, "Since friends are wee to dine with


    you, why can''t I join?"


    Hertha immediately wrapped an arm around Thssa''s shoulders, dering with conviction,


    "Thssa is practically family, not an outsider at all. Of course, she can dine with us. Besides,


    having Thssa over doesn''t make Spencer jealous. He''s more than happy to take care of all the


    chores."


    Hearing this made ric feel a twinge of difort. It was clear how much Hertha cared about


    Spencer''s feelings.


    But he quickly reassured himself that he had already decided to let go of any romantic feelings for


    Hertha and to simply treat her as a friend. And as a friend, what''s wrong with joining them for a


    meal?


    "Spencer can''t even handle you making male friends?" ric crossed his arms, leaning back with a


    casual air, his sharp eyes peering at Hertha, "Or is it that there''s ack of trust between you two?


    Spencer doesn''t feel secure? If there''s trouble in paradise, why not..."


    "You''ve got it all wrong!" Hertha cut him off before he could finish, blinking rapidly and speaking with


    a hint of nervousness, "Spencer and I are very much in love. Don''t make things up! I just don''t want


    any misunderstandings..."


    Not wanting misunderstandings?


    ric''s heart ached a bit more uncontrobly.


    However, seasoned in the ways of love, he had mastered the art of concealing his feelings. No


    matter how much it hurt, he maintained a carefree and somewhat roguish demeanor.


    "Seems like you don''t really consider me a friend, eh? Moving in next door on my first day, and you


    don''t even invite me over for a meal. You''re breaking my heart."


    "What? You''re the new neighbor?" Hertha eximed, her eyes wide with surprise. She had seen


    ric directing movers around the house but hadn''t thought much of it.


    ric living in a Falconer family mansion was one thing, but moving into this modest apartment


    complex was entirely unexpected!


    She thought ric was just overseeing the work, never imagining he''d be her neighbor!


    Hertha''s face drained of color, "ric, you did this on purpose, didn''t you?"


    "This is the employee apartment Mr. Ethan arranged for me. What would I be doing on purpose?"


    ric replied, his gaze scrutinizing Hertha.


    ric was seriously considering making his mark at the Crawley Group?


    "ric, have you lost your mind? Turning your back on the luxury of the Falconer family and


    choosing to live here, pretending to be just another employee in your buddy''spany? Moving


    into a ce that''s beneath your status?" In her distress, Hertha couldn''t help butsh out at ric.


    ric moving in was no small matter. Running into him every day, and the secret of her children,


    Julian and Helena, would be impossible to keep hidden.


    Hertha was genuinely terrified of ric finding out about her children and possibly fighting her for


    custody.


    ric was momentarily stunned by Hertha''s outburst. He hadn''t said anything to provoke such a


    reaction, so why was she so agitated?


    ric''s yful smile faded as he frowned, fixing Hertha with a stern look, "Did you hit your head or


    something? Are you not feeling well? What did I do to you?"


    "No, it''s just..." Hertha started to exin.


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    "Hey, hey, let''s just calm down," Thssa quickly intervened, holding Hertha''s hand to soothe her.