Heiress' Househusband is a Secret Billionaire - Chapter 208

Chapter 208: The Hidden Passage
<.Lumina Spring Apartment.>

Sitting before the vanity mirror, Ruediger glanced at the clock hanging on the wall—eleven-fifteen. He returned his gaze to his reflection in the mirror, running a comb through his crimson locks.

Ruediger would head out this noon, leaving the apartment alone because Lariette was already at school. He hadn’t forgotten his promise to meet Edmund[01].

Instead of securing his hair into a messy bun like usual, Ruediger opted for a cleaner look today. He simply tied his locks in a low ponytail, letting the strands fall below his shoulders.

After several days, Ruediger’s back was not as sore as before. Still, the pain hadn’t dissipated entirely. He still had to be careful not to strain his back.

‘I haven’t replied to Nate. What was that? He said Elsie has a store at the mall?’

As Ruediger grabbed a dark gray suit from the wardrobe, he recalled Nathaniel’s messages. His friend texted him right before he showered. He only skimmed the messages without replying.

Ruediger knew that Nathaniel would have a historic moment in his life this morning. His friend had been telling him about sending Lorianne to her first day in the new kindergarten.

“Rudy, she’ll be the cutest there, I swear! Haa… I can’t wait to introduce her to you. Wait for a little bit. She’s very outgoing. I think she’ll be excited to meet you.”

Ruediger smiled in helplessness when a dramatic Nathaniel told him about Lorianne and her new uniform yesterday. He told his friend that he would wait for an invitation, including bringing gifts for the little girl.

Through the messages this morning, Ruediger could tell that Nathaniel appreciated being able to send Lorianne to her new kindergarten. It might be a simple act, but it was a major milestone for his friend.

Just…

Ruediger didn’t expect to learn that one of the stores on Edenia Avenue belonged to Elsie. He knew she was a budding fashion designer a few years ago. This meant the store most likely was a boutique.

‘Which one? I should ask Nate.’

Nathaniel didn’t mention the store’s name in the text. Ruediger grabbed his phone from the bedside table. His fingers moved swiftly, typing on the screen.

[Ruediger: Gonna meet Edmund today. Which store is Elsie’s?]

After sending the message, Ruediger stood before the full-length mirror. He paired the dark gray suit with a V-neck shirt in a mint green color. The jacket and the long pants fit perfectly on his tall and well-toned figure.

Ding! Ding! Ding!

Nathaniel’s reply came within a few minutes.

[Nate: A fashion store. She said it’s called Annelle Style]

[Nate: Just in case you can’t get it, that name came from our names combined, including Lorrie]

[Nate: A very good name, don’t you think?]

Ruediger chuckled softly. He sensed pride and arrogance from Nathaniel’s texts. He simply replied to his friend with three emotes of rolling eyes.

‘…wait.’

Blinking, Ruediger read Nathaniel’s messages again. The store’s name rang a bell in his mind, but he couldn’t pinpoint the reason immediately.

‘Annelle Style… Isn’t that…?!’

Ruediger’s eyes widened as the realization hit him. Now he knew why the name sounded familiar to him.

It was the place where Lariette bought the dress for their marriage registration day!

“That store… belongs to Elsie?”

Amazed by the coincidence, Ruediger whistled softly. He shook his head, his lips quirking into a smile.

Ruediger grabbed his wallet and truck key before heading out of the apartment. He took one look at Lariette’s cutesy abode where he began settling in. He smiled, thinking of his plan to pick her up at school later.

Lariette said the school ended around three in the afternoon. Ruediger predicted his meeting with Edmund most likely would conclude before that time, allowing him to return to this neighborhood early.

‘I should text her later. She might stay at school longer if she has more work to do.’

Walking down the hallway to the basement parking lot, Ruediger’s shadows trailed from behind. He recalled his conversation with Lariette this morning during breakfast.

“We’re usually less busy on the first day of school. But, let’s see. Maybe the principal wants us to celebrate the new teacher. He’ll be in the language department, same as me.”

Ruediger wanted to tell Lariette about him picking her up if she was up to it, but he held back. She knew he would be going out today. It wouldn’t be surprising if he told her later.

Hopping inside the truck, Ruediger latched the seatbelt. He glanced at the dashboard screen, seeing the time had changed to eleven-forty.

‘I might get there before twelve.’

Pushing the gas pedal, Ruediger drove out of the basement, heading to the major road. The engine hummed gently as the tires rolled on the asphalt.

The midday sun cast a golden hue over the city as Ruediger drove his navy blue truck down the bustling streets. The sky was a brilliant blue, dotted with puffy white clouds drifting slowly.

On Monday noon, the traffic was moderate. Ruediger kept one hand on the steering wheel while the other tapped against his thigh, following the rhythm of a classic rock song playing on the radio.

Soon, Ruediger neared Edenia Avenue. He saw the towering luxury mall come into view, glistening under the sun.

The mall had been a pinnacle of luxury and a paradise for the elite, standing in the heart of the city. People might not know who the man in the shadows was, but it didn’t stop Ruediger from being proud of himself.

Ruediger simply parked the truck in the basement parking lot. He texted Edmund, telling him that he had arrived. They would meet at the man’s office.

Walking inside the mall, Ruediger was not in a hurry to get to the administrative part of the building. His steady strides brought him past rows of luxury stores on the first floor.

Ruediger swept his gaze around, looking at the area. He walked quietly among the passing people.

Despite being Monday, many visitors still flocked to this mall. Some of them were white-collared workers from nearby offices, coming here to get some lunch.

‘Not too bad, I guess.’

Arching his brows, Ruediger strode faster. He headed to the restroom area on this particular wing. When no one was looking, he disappeared through a hidden entrance.

This corridor had an elevator that would bring Ruediger directly to Edmund’s office. Aside from him, Edmund also often used this secret passage whenever he needed.

Within a few minutes, Ruediger reached the top floor in an elevator. He walked further down the windowless corridor until he reached the sole exit—directly to the CEO’s office.

‘The coast is clear.’

Through the intercom system, Ruediger looked inside the office. Edmund was the only one present there. The man was drinking a cup of tea in leisure as he sat at the seating area.

Smirking, Ruediger pressed the button to signal his arrival. He chuckled when Edmund quickly put the cup down, eyes staring in the direction of the hidden door.

What? Did he think he got caught being lazy?

After keying the password on the keypad, Ruediger opened the door. He grinned at the sight of Edmund’s surprised look on his face.

———-

Reference:

1 – Chapter 153