Heiress' Househusband is a Secret Billionaire - Chapter 217

Chapter 217: Since When Did He Get Married?
That night, Nathaniel, Elsie, Lorianne and Tristan had dinner under the starry sky.

The outdoor lights illuminated the terrace and the surrounding area. The breeze carried the saltiness of the ocean and the soothing lavender scent.

They conversed while enjoying the scrumptious dishes prepared by Tristan. The sound of their chatter and laughter blended with the soft echoes of the waves.

“Lorrie, already finished everything? Want some dessert?”

Nathaniel glanced at Lorianne, who sat beside Elsie. The little girl had wiped her plate clean. Licking her lips, she seemed content with her meal.

Lorianne had some pumpkin soup before eating her portion of lemon butter pan-fried sea bass. She also finished the sauteed carrots and asparagus.

“Want!” Lorianne chirped, happy at the mention of dessert, “What’s for dessert, Daddy~”

Nathaniel, Elsie and Tristan chuckled collectively when Lorianne began speaking in a sing-song voice. She kicked her feet under the table, almost dancing in her chair.

“I made something special for you!” Tristan exclaimed. Rising to his feet, he hurried to the side table where the desserts were kept inside a chilled box, “You’ll love it, Lorrie!”

Lorianne’s gaze followed Tristan, watching him with a pair of expectant eyes. She gasped in surprise once the young man presented him a plate of…

“Wow! It’s a kitty pudding! The kitty jiggle jiggle!”

A proud Tristan put the plate of jiggly white pudding in the shape of a cat before Lorianne. It even had sesame seeds for its eyes.

Tristan deliberately shook the plate, causing the pudding to jiggle. Lorianne laughed out loud, even clapping her small hands.

“Hehe, do you like it?”

“Like it!”

Nathaniel and Elsie exchanged a smile as they watched Tristan and Lorianne’s sweet interaction. The young man poured a mixed berry compote onto the plate, surrounding the kitty pudding.

“Did you make it yourself?” Elsie asked Tristan, her voice filled with admiration, “You’re a genius, Tristan.”

“Hehe, the recipe is easy,” Tristan chuckled, looking a little sheepish as Elsie praised her, “Mr. Rudy taught me before. As you know, he loves cooking and baking.”

Elsie arched her brows, recognizing the name. She knew how close Nathaniel and Ruediger were, enough to call them brothers despite the two men not sharing the same blood.

“Does Rudy always come here?” Elsie turned to Nathaniel, directing the question at him, “How has he been? I forgot to ask about him.”

Ruediger returned to Velondia after staying for over a decade in Norvonna because of Nathaniel. He played an important role in the latter’s revenge plan to ruin his malicious and greedy paternal family.

“He comes here quite frequently. His last visit was two weeks ago, I think,” Nathaniel replied. He put down the knife and fork, reaching for a glass of apple juice, “He brought his wife to meet my parents.”

Elsie paused, her eyes flung open in shock, “…Rudy is married? Since when? How long has it been?”

Nathaniel’s words about Ruediger having a wife surprised Elsie. Throughout the years, she had only seen him dating someone once during his university years. The relationship barely lasted for a year.

Since then, Ruediger seemed to have no interest in dating; both in having short flings or pursuing a much serious relationship.

When asked, Ruediger said he simply wanted to focus on building his life. Elsie didn’t push for further information.

Nathaniel chuckled seeing the baffled look on Elsie’s face. He could guess what was in her mind. He briefly explained to her after taking a few sips of his juice.

“He married Maddie’s best friend. Her name is Lariette. They just clicked together, so they didn’t wait long to get married. They registered their marriage not even one month in. No wedding.”

Nathaniel didn’t have the intention to share details about Ruediger and Lariette’s contract marriage with Elsie. Even though he trusted her with his heart, this was still his best friend’s secret.

Only Ruediger—with Lariette’s approval—could tell Elsie. Nathaniel was aware he didn’t have a say in this subject.

Tucking her hair behind her ear, Elsie hummed softly. This was unexpected but still a pleasant surprise. She laughed inwardly, thinking how many things had changed over the years.

“Rudy is a good guy,” Elsie mused, smiling at Nathaniel, “I believe his wife is a lovely lady.”

“She is,” Nathaniel nodded, “They’re a good match. Maybe you’ll get to meet them in the future.”

Elsie chuckled, but didn’t say anything. She was open to the idea because Ruediger was among the ones she had a good friendship with before.

After dinner, Nathaniel, Elsie and Lorianne took a stroll in the garden. The ambiance between the man and the lady was not as tense as in the late afternoon, despite a big agenda waiting for them tonight.

“Daddy, can you read me a story tonight?”

Lorianne blinked her round eyes repeatedly, deliberately acting adorable as Nathaniel carried her around. She grew fonder to be held by her father whenever they went for a stroll.

“Okay,” Nathaniel agreed easily. He gently ruffled Lorianne’s bangs with his fingers, “Which story do you want me to read tonight?”

After tea time a few hours ago, Lorianne played to her heart’s content in the playroom. She also read the books Nathaniel put in the bookstore playhouse.

Lorianne didn’t immediately answer. Putting one hand under her chin, she took on the posture of someone thinking deeply.

“Hehe, what are you thinking, en?”

Elsie laughed in helplessness, amused by Lorianne’s antics. She walked closely by Nathaniel’s side, watching the father and daughter’s interaction.

“Hmm… I wanna read the frog in the well book!” Lorianne clapped her hands once. Then, she asked confusedly, “Daddy, why does the frog live in the well? A pond is better for it.”

Nathaniel laughed, “Hahaha! Consider it done. You’ll get the answer later.”

After the stroll, they returned inside the villa. It didn’t take long for Lorianne to feel sleepy. Elsie accompanied her to the ensuite washroom. The room was rebuilt to cater to a young child like Lorianne.

“Mommy, come here. Daddy, here.”

Lorianne urged Elsie and Nathaniel to lie on the mattress with her once she settled on the bed. The man and the lady could only agree. They were worried Lorianne would cry again like before[01].

With one storybook in his hands, Nathaniel narrated the story. Albeit a little awkward, he made different voices as he read, even exaggerated certain scenes.

Lorianne’s eyes wandered from the illustrated pages to him, eager to know what happened next. As for Elsie, she gently patted the little one’s arm, a routine she had been doing since Lorianne was a toddler.

“…she’s asleep.”

Nathaniel lowered his voice, his gaze landed on the sleeping Lorianne. The once energetic little girl became very docile as she drifted into sleep.

“She played so much today,” Elsie replied, her voice barely a whisper. Slowly sitting up, she adjusted the blanket covering Lorianne.

“Can we… leave now?” asked Nathaniel, sounding unsure.

Elsie smiled, nodding once. She leaned toward Lorianne, gently pressing her lips on the little one’s forehead. Nathaniel quietly watched him, also wanting to do the same.

And…

The image of Elsie kissing Lorianne’s forehead was too beautiful in his mind.

———-

Reference:

1 – Chapter 188