Heiress' Househusband is a Secret Billionaire - Chapter 103

Chapter 103: Even the Soft Water Will Yield Away the Hard Rock
Lariette hurriedly finished her breakfast. She couldn’t contain her curiosity any longer. Ruediger told her to slow down, lest she choked on her food but, she simply grinned.

As Lariette munched the last bite, Ruediger said, “Grandpa will bring your brothers here. So, no need to go somewhere else.”

Blinking, helplessness imbued Lariette’s heart as she understood the reason. She put down the empty milk cup, staring at Ruediger across the table.

The man sat laid back on the chair, one elbow resting on the armrest.

The cool breeze blew through his crimson hair, gently lifting his strands. The gentle morning sunlight illuminated the soft smile on his lips.

Despite giving off the usual casual vibe, Lariette noticed the slight sluggishness displayed by Ruediger. His eyelids drooped occasionally as if telling how much he needed rest.

This man… He could be quite stubborn, didn’t he?

“You have to sleep soon,” Lariette said as she slowly stood up, her tone having a sense of finality, “I’ll drag Maddie to nag you if you won’t. Tho she might just push you to bed.”

Realizing what Lariette meant, Ruediger broke into laughter. He also rose to his feet, still laughing as he looked at the lovely brunette.

“I can imagine her kicking my leg from behind so that I’ll tumble easily to the bed.”

Chuckles slipped out of Lariette’s lips. She shot Ruediger a knowing look before slowly stepping inside the room again. The man followed her after putting all the dishes on the tray.

“How about checking your temperature first?”

Balancing the tray on one arm, Ruediger walked to the bedside table. He took the thermometer, shaking it slightly for Lariette to see.

“Oh, a good idea.”

Ruediger handed the thermometer to Lariette, saying, “Last night, it was 38.2°C. Maddie helped me check it. She put it in your underarm. She helped me take care of you too.”

Blinking, Lariette stared at the thermometer, “Oh… okay. I’ll do that.”

“I’ll tell your grandfather now,” said Ruediger as he walked out of the room, “You just need to wait here.”

Lariette smiled, appreciating what Ruediger had done so far this morning, “Yes. Thank you, Eddy.”

Lariette settled herself in the seating area of the bedroom, sitting on a two-seater couch. She immediately checked her thermometer, sticking the tip of it in the center of her armpit.

“I think I did it right…” Lariette retrieved the thermometer once she heard it beep. She raised her brows slightly, “37.6°C. Oh, it has decreased quite a bit.”

Lariette felt better seeing the numbers. Putting the thermometer away, she threw her gaze out the window, she wondered what Declan and Rafael would tell her.

Knock! Knock!

“Lari, good morning.”

Chairman Delaney pushed the door open after knocking twice. His gaze, brimming with concern, quickly landed on Lariette. Declan and Rafael followed the elderly man from behind.

“Grandpa, good morning.”

Lariette smiled at Chairman Delaney. He quickly told her not to stand up when she just tried doing so.

“Your feet are still hurting! No need to rise. This old man will go to you,” Chairman Delaney shook his head disapprovingly, earning chuckles from Lariette.

“Hehe, okay.”

Lariette turned her gaze to Declan and Rafael. The two men were in their casual getups. All three of them locked eyes before exchanging rather dull morning greetings.

“How do you feel?” asked Chairman Delaney. He sank into the seat next to Lariette, his voice imbued with concern as he assessed his granddaughter, “Eddy said you got a fever.”

Despite knowing that Lariette didn’t want to worry Chairman Delaney, Ruediger still told the elderly man about her fever throughout the night. Fortunately, her temperature had gone down.

“Just a little bit,” Lariette patted the back of Chairman Delaney’s wrinkly hands, trying to reassure her grandfather, “I feel better this morning. Maybe due to the cold rain yesterday.”

Chairman Delaney said nothing else. He didn’t want to bother Lariette with his nagging. Smiling at his granddaughter, he returned the pat on the back of her hands.

Declan and Rafael sat awkwardly in silence. They exchanged a look, seemingly unsure how or whether they should inquire about Lariette’s health themselves.

Still, despite their uncertainty, Declan took the lead by saying, “Lari… You should continue resting. You’ve been exposed to the cold for quite a long time, haven’t you?”

Lariette tore her eyes from Chairman Delaney, quite surprised to hear the slight concern in Declan’s voice. Blinking, she looked from him to Rafael.

“Dec is right,” Rafael chimed in, nodding his head stiffly a few times, “Your palms and feet are still injured, right? You even have a fever. Take it easy for now.”

Like yesterday, Lariette saw the evident look of worry on Declan and Rafael’s countenances. Throughout the decade of her knowing them, this was the most concerned they had been for her.

Receiving Declan and Rafael’s attention and care still cast doubts in Lariette’s heart. She couldn’t help but think these men would resort to normal—ignoring her existence.

Chairman Delaney silently assessed his grandchildren as he sensed the faint tension hanging in the air. Without any need to ask, he knew what might be in their minds.

Declan and Rafael were slowly approaching Lariette, perhaps hoping to mend their relationship. Still, she was full of doubts about them.

‘It will take time. Even the soft water will yield away the hard rock.’

As long as Declan and Rafael were being respectful in getting closer to Lariette, Chairman Delaney believed the siblings’ relationship might improve.

Nevertheless, Lariette’s feelings were the topmost priority.

Her parents and siblings had victimized her for too long. As her grandfather, he wouldn’t tolerate any forced reconciliation.

“Everyone’s here now.”

Ruediger’s voice echoed from the door as he returned from the pantry. Despite noticing the slight tension in the atmosphere, he still acted casual.

The four pairs of eyes looked at the crimson-haired man until he seated himself on a single chair next to the couch Lariette and Chairman Delaney occupied.

“We shall start,” Lariette spoke after being quiet for some time. Looking at Declan and Rafael across from her, she inquired, “Did you find anything about those men? Were they too drunk?”

Lariette knew that some tourists visited the isles surrounding Azure Bay. Most of them chose to appreciate the scenery while having a drink or two.

But, she also wanted to know whether the attack was a coincidence or not.

Despite not involving herself with the people in high society, Lariette had heard enough dirty tricks committed by the treacherous people. Some of them even made her question their humanity.

Surely… the people she had in mind wouldn’t go as far as this, right?

Declan leaned forward, propping his elbows on his knees while clasping his hands together. His brows almost merged together, mirroring his troubled mind.

Rafael sat with his back straight. He nervously glanced from Declan to Lariette. Chairman Delaney and Ruediger simply kept silent, waiting for the former to speak.

“They were indeed under the influence of substances,” Declan began, his deep voice echoing in the bedroom, “We confiscated the drugs in their possession.”

Lariette frowned, shifting uneasily in her seat.

Drugs?

The two men didn’t just have too much alcohol?