Heiress' Househusband is a Secret Billionaire - Chapter 233

Chapter 233: Being Much Older Won’t Mean Being The Wisest
A steady hum of chatters blended with the clinking of cups, followed by the hiss of the espresso machine as the cafe buzzed with the morning rush. The pair by the window had just been served with their choices of food and drinks.

Lariette sat comfortably across Ruediger. She focused on slicing through her crispy chicken croissant sandwich as the office workers hurried past outside, their coats billowing in the crisp autumn breeze.

“Eddy, take this.”

Lariette placed a slice of her sandwich on Ruediger’s plate, earning helpless chuckles from him. He thanked her before doing the same with his spicy egg mayo bagel sandwich.

“Is it good?” asked Ruediger after sipping his black tea. Delicate wisps of steam swirled from the hot drink. He hadn’t eaten his bagel sandwich.

“This is good,” Lariette replied after swallowing a bite. Grinning, she said, “I gonna try your bagel next.”

Ruediger chuckled once again. He sliced another smaller piece, this one was for himself before taking an unhurried bite. Lariette had chewed the piece he gave her earlier.

“Oh~ This is nice too!” Lariette exclaimed, delighted with the taste of the bagel sandwich.

Her croissant sandwich was as good as his bagel one. Still, the flavors and textures were different.

Her flaky, buttery croissant crumbled at the first bite, giving way to the crunch of the golden fried chicken tenders. Pepper and herbs seasoned the meat well, the taste was balanced by crisp lettuce and thinly sliced bell peppers.

His toasted bagel sandwich had a slightly crisp golden crust. The interior remained dense and chewy. The rich and creamy egg salad had a hint of tangy and spicy mayonnaise, also a dash of mustard, wrapped by crisp lettuce.

“Hmm, but,” Lariette lifted her eyes from her plate, smiling at Ruediger, “I like the sandwiches you made better.”

Ruediger blinked. He unconsciously loosened the grip on his fork. Sensing the heat swirled from his cheeks, he said, “Should I make some tomorrow morning? Which one do you want?”

“Hehe, let me think of it first,” Lariette chuckled. She forked another bite of her sandwich, “Go on, Eddy. Eat.”

“Ah, yes.”

A comfortable silence settled between them as they resumed eating. The morning rush didn’t affect them at all.

Ruediger enjoyed the peace after the arduous events from yesterday. He gave a few more of his sandwich to Lariette, eliciting helpless chuckles from her.

Lariette and Ruediger continued chatting. She brought up their trip to the amusement park this Saturday. Like her, he also looked forward to it.

When they left the cafe, it was still early. The sun had risen higher, bathing the streets and illuminating the buildings with its golden light. The distance between the cafe and the school was around five minutes’ walk.

Lariette and Ruediger walked side by side, their steps in sync. The rays cast long shadows on the pedestrian walkway, filtering through the trees lining the sidewalk.

The morning breeze was cool, tousling Lariette’s long chocolate-brown hair and Ruediger’s crimson locks. The weather was still bearable because it was still the early phase of autumn.

They joined the loose crowds of students flocking toward the gates, their chatter and laughter resonating in the air. A few rode bicycles, some walked in pairs or small groups, while the others ran ahead excitedly.

“Lettie, I forgot to ask.”

Ruediger’s voice was low as he spoke cautiously, unlike his usual confident self. Lariette tilted her chin up, looking at the man whose eyes were already on her face.

“Yes, Eddy? What did you forget to ask me?” asked Lariette, intrigued.

Ruediger pursed his lips, hesitating for a second. Exhaling a sigh, he said, “Yesterday… he came to your school, right? Did your colleagues ask you anything? He did make a spectacle, coming with his limo.”

Blinking, Lariette quickly realized the meaning behind Ruediger’s question.

Indeed, Chairman Alvord’s appearance made waves in the teachers’ group chat. Nora was the only teacher with Lariette at that time, but some saw it from afar.

Lariette replied to all in the group chat, her husband’s father, also meant her father-in-law came to meet her.

Some of them gushed how wealthy he was based on the car he came with. A few openly asked if she was from the affluent Elsher family, and if her husband came from the prominent Alvord family.

Unsure how she should respond, Lariette went silent. She assumed it was better not to answer any of her colleagues’ speculations about her and Ruediger’s families.

Fortunately, Principal Smith stepped in and reminded everyone to respect their colleague’s private life. That put the end to the frenzy in the group chat.

But…

Lariette knew some would ask her more once she arrived at school. She hoped that she could quickly remove herself from the situation if that ever happened.

“I did tell Nora that he’s your father,” Lariette replied after a short pause, “At that time, I only thought to quickly get away from school without making much fuss.”

Ruediger silently listened to Lariette. The look on his face unreadable, causing her stomach to churn.

Lariette lowered her gaze, her voice quieter, “I’m sorry, Eddy. I should’ve thought of better excuses. I… I shouldn’t say anything at all, actually.”

“No, you did what you thought was best. I’m glad you told your colleague that.”

Ruediger’s words, spoken as tenderly as usual, lured Lariette to once again look at him. His lips curved into a smile, the same gentle one she often saw. The familiar emerald eyes under the crimson fringes gleamed softly.

“It’s quite tricky, right? I mean, the situation,” Ruediger said, “Instead of you not saying anything and making people talk badly about you, you’ve chosen a wise option.”

From Madeline, Ruediger heard how Lariette suffered from cruel rumors in high school, led by Stephanie. They gossiped about her dating much older and wealthy men.

Ruediger doubted Lariette’s colleagues would have the same thinking as the mean and immature high schoolers, but he didn’t want to take any chances.

Even a person who had experienced decades of life didn’t mean he had become wiser.

The reassurance in Ruediger’s voice helped to lift some worries off Lariette’s chest. Holding the strap of her backpack, she said, “Thank you, Eddy. That means so much to me.”

Ruediger simply smiled. He could safely say that he felt much, much better than before. He was glad of this change after the suffocating and sleepless night he had to endure previously.

Soon, they reached the main gate. A few cars still lined the curb as parents dropped their children off. The students rushed inside, happily waving at the teachers who they met along the way.

“Well… I’ll get going now.”

Lariette smiled at Ruediger, getting ready to start another day at school. Still, she felt a little regret that their walk to school was this short.

“Have a good day. Oh…” Ruediger paused for a moment, “Is it okay if I come to pick you up later? Only if you’re alright with it.”

“Okay~ As long as it won’t hinder your work. Hehe, I don’t want Nate to think you’re slacking off because of me.”

Lariette quickly agreed, thinking it was fine if Ruediger did it occasionally. She just didn’t want to bother with his work schedule.

“You won’t,” Ruediger quickly replied, his voice firm.

She wouldn’t ever be a nuisance to him.