Chapter 1417 
For the past three years, Alaric often found his thoughts drifting back to Hertha. He often thought of her captivating spirit and unwavering loyalty to her friends–how she would go to the ends of the earth for them. 
Time and again, he’d hover over the buttons of his phone, itching to dial Hertha’s number. But the thought that she might have already. settled down with Spencer held him back. He didn’t want to intrude on her life. 
But his hesitation only seemed to embolden Georgia’s aggressive behavior. 
The role of Vice President at Falconer Group was something his mother had pushed him into, and the seat of President was another of her ambitions for him as well. 
None of it was what he truly wanted. 
“Alaric, get your hands off her!” Georgia snapped out of her shock when she saw Alaric kiss Hertha. Her eyes blazed with fury as she stormed forward, pushing Hertha away from Alaric with such force that tears welled up in her eyes. “What did you just say? She’s your fiancée now? I’m not even a tenth as feminine as she is, huh? Who is she anyway? Just a regular Jane from the working class. Can she support you in your career? She can’t even come up with two million without asking your mother for it!” 
Pointing accusingly at Hertha, then at Alaric, Georgia was gasping with indignation, her eyes swimming with tears. Before Alaric could respond, she continued in a piercing tone, “Alaric, I’ll assume you only said that to upset me! Apologize to me now, and I’ll forgive you. I’ll even get my parents to keep backing you in business!” 
Just the day before, Georgia had witnessed Alaric’s tender reunion with Hertha at the Starhaven International Hotel. In a moment of weakness, she’d had a row with Alaric and regretted it the moment she stormed out of the hotel. Then she went to her mother for advice. 
Her mother had told her to bide her time, to show the grace of a woman. 
Georgia had intended to do just that, but then, Alaric had called her mother to break off their engagement first thing in the morning. Georgia couldn’t hold back any longer, and that’s why she was in Falconer Group’s boardroom causing a scene now, demanding Alaric marry her in front of the company’s executives. She wasn’t going to let him call off the engagement. Not by a long shot. 
“Hertha, are you okay?” Alaric rushed to Hertha’s side, steadying her. 
Georgia had pushed her so hard that Hertha had stumbled backward. Alaric was both worried and guilt. 
Ignoring Georgia, he reached out to Hertha first. The moment his palm touched Hertha’s arm, she felt a jolt of electricity. 
She quickly stepped back, putting distance between them, and said with an aloof tone, “I’m fine. Deal with your own mess first.” 
“Alaric, you come here now! Don’t you dare touch her again!” Georgia shrieked, her eyes stinging at the sight of Alaric almost comforting Hertha. She’d been too slow to separate them when Alaric kissed Hertha. 
Frustrated, furious, and on the brink of a breakdown, she watched as Alaric reached out for that woman again. It was like pouring gasoline on the raging fire in her heart. 
Georgia couldn’t stand it. She marched forward, grabbed Alaric’s arm, and yanked him toward her. 
Three years ago, she’d followed a drunken Alaric, who was with an equally intoxicated Hertha, to a hotel. She had intended to take advantage of Alaric’s inebriated state to seduce him but was interrupted by a call from the front desk about an passport issue. 
By the time she’d dealt with it and returned to the room, she found Alaric and Hertha together! Now she felt the same mix of shock, resentment, and hysteria that had overwhelmed her that night three years ago.