Chapter 1530


    Hertha was on pins and needles, wondering if ric had figured out her and Spencer weren''t


    actually married.


    The moment she heard Spencer''s voice, it was like a lightbulb went off. She whipped her head


    towards ric, ready to back up Spencer''s story, only to catch a glimpse of embarrassment and


    dejection in ric''s captivating eyes.


    Her initial urge to revel in his misfortune suddenly vanished. In that moment, she couldn''t help but


    feel a pang of sympathy for ric.


    Her heart softened, and she chirped, “Spencer,e on in. And you too, don''t just stand there at


    the door.”


    Spencer''s response was a nonchnt grunt, the kind of interaction that spoke volumes about their


    faux-marital familiarity. It was devoid of any awkwardness or excessive politeness. It was only in


    such close rtionships that conversations flowed effortlessly.


    And right then, ric saw this effortless dynamic between Hertha and Spencer. Despite his


    reluctance to ept it, the fact was staring him in the face: Hertha was married, and evidently,


    happily so to Spencer.


    As ric felt a twinge in his heart, Spencer turned to him with a smile, saying, “Mr. Falconer,


    please,e in...”


    ric was about to decline, his interest piqued earlier when he saw Thssa and Hertha with bags


    full of ingredients for a ssic barbecue, momentarily tempted to invite himself over for dinner.


    But seeing Spencer and Hertha''s apparent closeness made him rethink stepping inside.


    Just as he was about to excuse himself, Hertha, with a beam, said, “Oh, Mr. Falconer, doe in.


    I''ve put together a barbecue from scratch today. Care to taste my culinary skills?”


    Hertha''s smile, her eyes squinting ever so slightly, resembled orbs half-hidden, shimmering with


    warmth and allure, causing ric''s heart to skip a beat.


    He was about to turn and leave, but Hertha''s gaze made him reconsider.


    Taking a deep, steadying breath, he masked his difort with his usual cheeky smile, “Well, with


    such a warm invitation, how could I refuse?”


    With that, he strutted into the house.


    Hertha stepped aside to let him through, watching ric enter the living room before turning to


    Spencer with a grateful blink.


    Having Spencer y along and allowing Bridget and her kids to stay at his ce temporarily had


    been a godsend, preventing ric from stumbling upon the truth.


    N?velDrama.Org owns all ? content.


    Her gratitude towards Spencer was evident in that meaningful nce.


    Spencer simply nodded, silently telling her it was nothing.


    After their silent exchange, they moved into the dining room where Thssa was setting the table.


    She turned to greet ric, “Mr. Falconer, wee, please, have a seat.”


    ric, never one to stand on ceremony, took the seat of honor and teased, “Hertha, looks like you


    and your husband are living the high life, indulging in barbecue every now and then. I can''t even


    match this kind of gourmet lifestyle.”


    He grabbed a piece of meat and popped it into his mouth without waiting for anyone else.


    Hertha couldn''t help butugh, “You''re the vice president of the Falconer Group, and you''re telling


    me you can''t afford a simple barbecue? Who are you kidding?”