Chapter 1998


    ?


    The warmth tickled Hertha''s neck, making her instinctively shrink back. The breeze that brushed against her skin left a tingling sensation, like an electric current zipping straight through her heart.


    Without thinking, she stepped forward, only to realize that while her legs had moved, her upper body hadn''t budged. She found herself wrapped in a firm embrace, leaning against a solid chest.


    The arms around her shoulders were strong and reassuring.


    Hertha turned her head sharply, locking eyes with ric''s amused and captivating gaze. She had been furious, but the sight of his devilishly handsome face and that irresistible charm sent a shiver down her spine.


    Damn it, why did ric have to be so infuriatingly attractive? Anger had fueled her moments ago, but now, it had vanished, almost ensnared by his allure.


    And then there were his words, soden with innuendo they were begging for a retort.


    What did he mean by "how she would thank him tonight"?


    The implication was unsettling.


    But that wasn''t the point. Why should she thank him in the first ce?


    Hertha fought back the flutter in her heart, gritted her teeth, and retracted her foot, only to stomp down hard on his: "Thank you for nothing!"


    "Ouch!" ric winced, pain shooting up even to his heart. Lifting his foot, he tried to assess the damage to his big toe, but his dress shoe concealed any injury.


    Taking advantage of his distraction, Hertha turned and quickly walked away.


    Spencer and Emmeline''s wedding was over. Staying further would only cause difort; leaving was the best choice for everyone''s sake. ric, ignoring his pain, hurried after her.


    Meanwhile, Spencer and Emmeline


    fheir quests, blissfully u from asking in the congrattions


    of Hertha and ric''s departure.


    Hertha stepped out of the hotel, looking for a taxi.


    She had opted for a cab to the


    wedding, knowing parking w


    set


    be


    a nightmare with the guest list Spotting an approaching taxi she waved it down. Content belongs to


    As the taxi pulled up and she reached for the door, someone grabbed her wrist, pulling her back as the door mmed shut. Turning, she red at ric.


    The taxi driver, annoyed, asked, "Are you getting in or what?"


    ric apologized with a gesture, "Sorry, we won''t be needing the cab. We''ve got our own ride. Just a little spat here."


    The driver, unfazed, drove off.


    "Hey, I didn''t say I wasn''t taking the cab!" Hertha protested, but the taxi was already gone, and ric was still holding onto her, making escape impossible.


    Fuming, Hertha yanked her hand away, "ric, are you out of your mind?"


    ric nced at the ring on her finger, stating matter-of-factly, "Chasing my fiancée, how''s that crazy?"N?velDrama.Org copyrighted ? content.


    The word ''fiancée'' made Hertha bristle like a threatened cat, immediately retorting, "Who''s your fiancée? What are you talking about?"


    "With everyone watching, you epted my proposal. No backing out now," ric confidently dered.