Chapter 1784


    ric jumped up, trying to block their view. "Grandpa, Grandma, let me get you some tea..."


    His awkward attempts were in vain.


    "Hertha, is that really you? It''s been years, and you''ve grown into such ady," Beatrice stood up, delightedly approaching Hertha.


    Her face was filled with a kind smile as she warmly greeted Hertha. She walked up to her, gently cing her hands on Hertha''s shoulders, giving her an up-and-down look before saying with augh, "Hertha, thest time I saw you three years ago, you were still a bit of a tomboy. Look at you now, all grown up and charming."


    Hertha recognized them as ric''s grandparents, whom she had met three years ago at ric''s ce, thanks to Beatrice''s meddling, which had led her to get involved with ric. She still remembered Angelina''s words, saying that Remington and Beatrice just wanted a woman to bear ric''s children, and it didn''t matter who the woman was. Those words had deeply hurt her.


    Because of that, Hertha didn''t have much fondness for Remington and Beatrice. She stepped back, avoiding Beatrice''s touch, and forced a smile, "Oh, Beatrice, it''s been a while. You haven''t changed a bit."


    Beatrice''s smile stiffened for a moment but then returned to warmth as she said, "Ah, you''re such a charmer. Haven''t had dinner yet, have you? Come, sit down with us, let''s catch up."


    Beatrice invited Hertha, who stood still. Beatrice looked towards ric, frantically signaling him to invite Hertha to join them. That silly boy, always talking about making good rtionships, and here he was, missing a golden opportunity.


    Seeing Hertha reminded ric of their awkward encounter at the elevator, and knowing how angry she was, he hesitated to risk upsetting her further without making any progress. But his grandma was hinting at him; if he didn''t step up, wouldn''t that show hecked courage?


    With a forced smile, pretending nothing had happened, ric said to Hertha, "Hertha, what a coincidence! It''s fate, isn''t it? To honor this serendipitous meeting, why not join us for dinner?"


    Hertha rolled her eyes at him, bluntly saying, "I''m busy!"


    With that, she walked over to the cashier, paid with ease, and told the restaurant owner, "Don''t forget to deliver the beer to my ce."


    "Sure thing, the usual, won''t forget!" the owner replied with enthusiasm.


    Beatrice, unable to pursue further, could only watch as Hertha confidently walked away. That girl''s spirit was something else.


    Returning to the table, Beatrice


    sighed and said to Remington, "This


    kid has met his match. She didn''t


    ever spare an old woman i


    any face."


    "Let it be, considering how much the Falconer family has hurt her, it''s already good she even greeted you," Remington said.


    Beatrice nced at Remington but said no more.


    ric watched Hertha''s retreating figure, feeling somewhat dejected. Ethan came over, pped him on the shoulder, and teased, "Looks like every dog has its day. The once untouchable ric has finally met his match in a woman." Exclusive content ? by N?(v)el/Dr/ama.Org.


    ric gave him a look, "What do you know about love, you who believes in nothing?"


    Ethanughed, "You talk about love


    buts


    at you. When you were


    you were happy. Now that you''re in


    love, you look like a lost p''re in