Heiress' Househusband is a Secret Billionaire - Chapter 139

Chapter 139: Better to Combine Forces
Lariette didn’t take too much time thinking. To her, the answers were already obvious, waiting to be laid out in front of everyone.

Under four pairs of eyes, mixed of concerns and uneasiness, Lariette spoke her mind. She believed this was the right option for this situation.

“Handle it as you see it fit,” Lariette began, her voice lacking warmth and unwavering, “I’ll come forward as a witness, also the victim if there’s any need for it.”

Leon’s attempt to coerce Stephanie into marrying him by harming Lariette in the process was already bad. His involvement with the drug dealer took the cake.

Lariette believed Declan, through the Elsher Group’s legal team, would succeed in getting Leon to pay for all the crimes he had done. The Holt family wouldn’t have much defense if Declan went all out.

Relief washed over Declan’s face upon hearing Lariette’s remarks. Rafael was the same. As for Ruediger and Chairman Delaney, they still wore the same dissatisfied look.

Seething in anger, Chairman Delaney snarled, “Get the harshest punishment available for that trash. My legal team will help. The Holts will surely retaliate. Better to combine forces.”

Ruediger nodded. He held back from saying anything, unwilling to pressure Lariette more than necessary. He also believed Chairman Delaney wouldn’t let Declan go easily if he didn’t handle this issue well.

“I will do that,” Declan said firmly, showing his decisiveness in making sure Leon faced the consequences of his actions, “My lawyers are drafting the necessary papers now.”

Lariette exhaled a sigh, still not expecting such a thing to happen behind the scenes. What Declan had just told her sounded like a nightmare.

‘She’s kinda trapped, huh?’

Without any doubt, Leon and Stephanie weren’t simply having an affair. The man bore a deep and hideous obsession over her, enough to resort to vile tricks to make sure she wouldn’t leave him.

Lariette knew she should feel bad for Stephanie because if Leon got what he desired, the woman’s life might be heading to ruin. Saying his obsessions were bad was an understatement.

Unfortunately, her complicated feelings toward Stephanie made it hard for Lariette to fully sympathize with her.

It was fine, Lariette told herself. Stephanie had many people who would ensure her well-being was taken care of after the traumatizing ordeal caused by Leon.

Still…

Lariette’s gaze regained its focus as she stared at Declan and Rafael. Parting her lips, she asked, “How’s the situation at home?”

Declan blinked, understanding there was a deeper meaning behind Lariette’s simple question. This was the first time he heard her inquiring about their family after the news of Stephanie and Leon’s affairs first broke out.

“It’s chaotic, to say the least,” Declan refrained from sighing, the heaviness in his voice remained, “Mom and Dad always fight. Mom wants to hold the Silvera family accountable for what happened but, Dad doesn’t agree.”

Rafael nodded, showing he agreed with Declan. He added cautiously, “Also, Mom wants the Holt family to be responsible for what Leon has done to Phanie. It’s a total mess.”

Rafael chose to stay in their family home after returning from Azure Bay. As for Declan and Alaric, they lived in their respective residences, only coming back occasionally.

Rafael witnessed the moments Samantha and Jonathan fought. His mother was adamant about getting Matthias and the Silvera family to apologize for the fiasco they caused, including the Holt family.

Time and again, his father called her demands bullshit. He put the blame on Stephanie, also saying how she had humiliated their entire family because of her bad conduct.

Rafael could safely say this was the first time Samantha and Jonathan had a massive and long fight. He tried acting as the peacekeeper but, to no avail.

Lariette opened her mouth, seemingly wanting to say something but, she decided against it. She simply nodded at Declan and Rafael, indicating she heard them well.

“Your mother is too stubborn,” Chairman Delaney rubbed his wrinkly face, a long and heavy sigh escaping from his lips, “Matthias did humiliate Phanie but, it’s not really his fault. As for Leon and the Holts, it’s a different story.”

Chairman Delaney felt a headache threatening at the back of his mind. He did talk on the phone with Samantha twice after coming back from the island but, his daughter’s unwillingness to see that Stephanie was at fault frustrated him.

No matter what happened, Chairman Delaney still had a degree of care for Stephanie. But, it didn’t mean he would forget her wrongdoings.

“For now, focus on pressing charges on Leon. Make sure Phanie doesn’t go anywhere near him this Monday. Also, watch his movements. We can’t let him escape.”

Chairman Delaney cast his eyes on Declan, reminding his grandson about the core issue. If Leon chose to flee, the Holt family had enough resources to ensure its success.

“I understand, Grandpa. My people have started monitoring his movements. For now, there’s nothing concerning.”

Ruediger raised his hand slightly, wanting to speak after being quiet for so long. Staring at Declan, he asked, “How about the drug dealer? Lari is the victim. What if they decide to implicate her too?”

Ruediger knew Lariette was not the main target but, he couldn’t risk any chances. If there was a possibility of the drug dealer and his cronies trying to drag her into this mess, he wouldn’t stay still.

Lariette turned to look at Ruediger upon hearing his questions to Declan. That thought didn’t cross her mind because she was not the main target.

Declan glanced from Ruediger to Lariette, understanding what the crimson-haired man was concerned about.

“Your concern is valid. The dealer comes from a mid-level organization. The police actually have been watching their movements. We’ll give our full cooperation to make sure they’ll be destroyed.”

“What if,” Rafael chimed in, having an idea, “For now, we let the bodyguards follow Lari? It’ll be safer that way. At least, until everything ends.”

“Huh? No…”

“That’s great!”

Lariette’s ‘no’ was quickly swallowed by Chairman Delaney’s exclamation. All eyes turned to the elderly man whose face beaming with relief.

“It’s better to be safe than sorry. Lari, what do you think?”

“…”

Blinking, Lariette could only stare at Chairman Delaney blankly. She was too stunned to answer immediately.