Heiress' Househusband is a Secret Billionaire - Chapter 106

Chapter 106: You Listen to Him More Than Me Now
There was nothing left for Declan to say. Swallowing his saliva, he quietly assessed Lariette’s countenance, seeing the evident exhaustion on her face mixed with concern.

Despite facing a dangerous situation yesterday and suffering some injuries, Lariette barely showed her fear. She seemed to calm herself quickly.

Still, Declan wondered if Lariette simply put on a tough facade to show that she wasn’t shaken by the mysterious man’s plan albeit flawed.

“Lari, we won’t let him harm you. Please don’t worry about it. He won’t stay free for too long.”

Declan spoke with much certainty, still facing Lariette opposite him. The frown on his forehead lessened as his sapphire eyes—the ones mirroring hers—looked at her with determination.

No matter who that man was, Declan would find him. He couldn’t understand why that unknown man deliberately tried harming Lariette yet, it didn’t matter.

The reason did not matter at all.

After a decade of failing his youngest sister, Declan wanted to put a stop to that, especially when Lariette might need support the most.

Lariette blinked, catching the certain reassurance in Declan’s voice. Curling up her lips into a faint smile, she nodded once.

“I know. I appreciate your help, Dec,” Lariette shifted her gaze from Declan to Rafael, also acknowledging him, “Thank you too, Ray.”

Lariette valued Declan and Rafael’s show of support and assistance since yesterday. For the first time, they came forward without her begging for their attention.

“It’s nothing,” Rafael waved his hand, seemingly flustered by Lariette thanking him, “Leave this matter to us. You should focus on your recovery.”

“Yes, Lari,” Declan exhaled a sigh, once again the frown was back to his forehead, “Weren’t you caught in an accident just a few weeks ago? And now, this… You have to follow what the doctor has advised you.”

Declan and Rafael still felt terrible for knowing about Lariette’s previous accident late. Even though it happened because their parents hid the event, a deep sense of guilt tugged at their hearts.

“I know. I’ll continue resting soon,” Lariette replied, her tone softening. Her eyelids drooped slightly as she tried fighting off her drowsiness.

Declan and Rafael exchanged a look. The brothers stood up at the same time, seemingly sharing the same thought.

“We’ll leave now. I’ll contact Grandpa immediately if we have new clues.”

“Rest well, Lari. Don’t think about this at all. It isn’t worth your time.”

Soft chuckles escaped Lariette’s lips. She was amused to see Declan and Rafael keep worrying about her. She also noticed the lingering guilt in their countenances.

Declan and Rafael spoke to Chairman Delaney for a little. Ruediger nodded at the brothers in return when they greeted him before leaving the room.

“Let your brothers handle everything,” said Chairman Delaney once Declan and Rafael vanished. He patted Lariette’s shoulder gently, “You look sleepy, my dear. Get more rest.”

Chairman Delaney wished to talk more to Lariette but, his granddaughter’s health was his topmost priority.

“I will. Thank you, Grandpa.”

Lariette placed one palm on Chairman Delaney’s arm, smiling at him. She laughed when suddenly, her grandfather’s expression changed into worry.

“Hehe, what now?”

Chairman Delaney exhaled a sigh. Tilting his head, he carefully assessed Lariette’s pallid countenance. Ruediger silently watched their interaction from one side.

“Does your head hurt?” asked Chairman Delaney cautiously. He rubbed one side of his head as he spoke, “Any headache or something?”

Chairman Delaney wanted to send Lariette to the island hospital because of her recent medical history but, she insisted on not going. After an examination by Dr. Larson, the latter allowed her to stay in the villa unless her condition deteriorated.

“No headache, Grandpa,” answered Lariette truthfully. She understood what Chairman Delaney was worried about, “Only a slight fever. My temperature has lessened already.”

Ruediger arched his brows, asking immediately, “You’ve checked your temperature, right? How much now?”

“37.6°C.”

“It really has decreased,” Ruediger mused, a light smile hanging on his lips, “Still, you need to rest. I’ll apply new meds and change your bandages before you sleep.”

Lariette laughed in helplessness when Chairman Delaney nodded vehemently upon hearing Ruediger. She said jokingly, “Grandpa, you listen to Eddy more than me now.”

Narrowing his eyes, Chairman Delaney replied, “Because you can be quite stubborn. I’m glad I have Eddy on my side.”

“Hahaha!”

Lariette burst out laughing, amused by Chairman Delaney’s remarks. Ruediger shook his head and smiled faintly as he watched the grandfather and granddaughter duo’s interaction.

Knock! Knock!

“Lari~”

Madeline appeared at the door, peeking her head into the room. Lariette quickly waved her hand, calling her friend to come inside. The former half-ran to the seating area.

“Lari! How are you feeling today? Better? How about your wounds?”

Madeline shot question after question once she reached Lariette. She had been worrying about her friend but, held back from rushing to her when Lariette met Declan and Rafael.

“I’m better than yesterday,” Lariette chuckled, knowing that Madeline was concerned about her. Patting her friend’s arm, she said, “You took care of me last night too, right? Eddy told me. Thank you, Maddie.”

Madeline blinked, thinking back to the time she checked Lariette’s temperature and put the cold pack under her arms. Nodding twice, she laughed as she lightly scratched her cheek.

“I did nothing much ah. Well, I heard what Grandpa said. Let’s chat more after you rest.”

Madeline overheard Chairman Delaney telling Lariette to get more rest, including Ruediger saying he would help her friend change the bandages. She just came to see Lariette for a bit.

“Thank you, Maddie.”

Lariette squeezed Madeline’s arm, earning a smile from her friend. Madeline escorted Chairman Delaney out of the room, saying they might be able to have tea time together later.

“Gonna move to the bed?” asked Ruediger, raising one of his brows, slightly hidden behind his crimson fringes.

“Yeah.”

Lariette slowly walked to the bed. Her feet still hurt, but she didn’t want Ruediger to carry her, especially since the distance between the couch and the bed was short.

As the dazzling sun showered upon the island, Lariette let Ruediger attend to her wounds. They didn’t speak much, letting the room be filled with the faint echoes of the rolling waves.

“Thank you, Eddy,” Lariette whispered once Ruediger was done. Her pupils were barely visible through the thin slits of her drooping eyelids.

Ruediger pulled the blanket up, covering Lariette’s figure as she lay on the bed. Smiling, he replied softly, “If you’re up to it, let’s have tea time in the garden later.”

“…en.”

Lariette nodded lightly, her eyes closing. Her luscious locks sprawled on the pillow, the rich brown color contrasting against the light-colored sheet.

Ruediger straightened his back, his emerald eyes hadn’t left Lariette’s face. He retrieved his hands from the blanket, lightly clenching the sides of his khaki pants.

Declan’s story about the mysterious man, including Joseph Brook and Thomas Morgan, echoed in his mind.

‘Who’s that man?’

Frowning, Ruediger wondered if the man simply wanted to toy with them or, if he indeed targeted Lariette. Nevertheless, this matter wouldn’t be swept under a rug.

Ruediger turned around, intending to give Lariette privacy as she slept. His exhaustion also caught up to him as he headed inside the inner room.

Also…

There was something he wanted to ask her.