Heiress' Househusband is a Secret Billionaire - Chapter 249

Chapter 249: He Looked Happier, Even
[Lariette: I might clock out at five. Will text you first]

[Ruediger: Okay. Think of what you want for dinner tonight :)]

As Lariette read Ruediger’s next message, soft laughter spilled from her lips while the look on her face softened. She shot him with a quick reply, saying she would definitely think of a dish she craved.

Leaving the back garden, Lariette returned inside the building, her steps slow. Nora’s words from earlier lingered in the back of her mind, but she tried not to let them bother her too much.

Lariette believed no one among her colleagues would dare openly ask her about Chairman Alvord’s bribery scandal. Even if they did, she had the right not to answer them.

‘No need to overthink.’

Exhaling a sigh, Lariette reminded herself that. From the years she spent working in this middle school, her colleagues and the other staff were not people who would heavily invest themselves in others’ lives.

Some were quite gossipers, but not the annoyingly persistent types. She could certainly handle this much.

‘I only hope he won’t feel bad. That man deserves this.’

Lariette was aware that Ruediger had an extremely complicated relationship with Chairman Alvord. The way the crimson-haired man acted before spelled that he hated his father, but he might feel conflicted over this news.

Hopefully, she was terribly wrong.

As Lariette expected, she did sense some stares thrown her direction, yet no one stepped forward and asked her about Chairman Alvord. She mingled with her colleagues like usual between the short breaks before each class.

The majority of the students had left when Lariette finally headed out of the teachers’ lounge. The academic buildings were quiet, but not the fields and gymnasium where some students practiced for the upcoming Sports Day.

The sun had dipped low, spreading its golden light across the sky. Lariette smiled as she read Ruediger’s message, saying he had just arrived. She walked past the fence bordering the school’s field.

The crisp autumn air carried the students’ chatter and laughter. Lariette also heard thud of sneakers running on the grass, and the echo of the children falling on the crash mat.

“I’m serious! I’ll transfer school if Class 8-C wins over us again!”

“Did you see Janice’s backflip? She’s so cool!”

“Urghhh! My legs are like jelly now! Come on, let’s rest for a bit.”

“Should we get milk tea or ice cream? Well, why not both?”

Lariette held back from smiling too much. She tucked her hair behind her ear when the breeze tousled her locks. The students’ conversations highlighted the innocence of their youth.

As Lariette neared the open school gate, she caught the sight of Ruediger talking to a familiar figure—Mr. Eastwood. She arched her brows, for she didn’t expect to see the two of them together.

“Eddy. Mr. Eastwood.”

Lariette quickened her steps, only to slow once she was near Ruediger. The crimson-haired man turned to her, his lips curling into a smile. Mr. Eastwood also looked at the young lady.

“Lettie, hey.”

“Hello, Miss Elsher.”

Lariette inched closer to Ruediger. She briefly assessed the look on his countenance, finding no traces of despair. With a smile, she glanced at Mr. Eastwood.

“I didn’t expect to find you chatting with my husband,” Lariette chuckled, her eyes drifting from the new teacher to the man beside her, “Found a mutual interest topic?”

Lariette’s remarks earned laughter from Ruediger while Mr. Eastwood smiled softly. The middle-aged man replied, his tone ever so polite, “I remember Mr. Alvord will assist us on Sports Day. Since I saw him waiting for you, I thought I should greet him at least.”

“Mr. Eastwood talked about the current preparations,” Ruediger added, a wider grin tugging on his lips, “I’ll surely live up to everyone’s expectations, especially you, wifey.”

Lariette blinked, slow and dazed before a flush spread on her cheeks. She shot Ruediger a glare, only to get amused chuckles from him in return.

Mr. Eastwood glanced at the husband and wife. He laughed slightly, “I shall take my leave, then. See you again, Mr. Alvord. Miss Elsher, see you tomorrow.”

“Until then, Mr. Eastwood.”

“See you tomorrow.”

Mr. Eastwood smiled at them one last time before resuming his steps, heading to the opposite direction. The middle-aged man disappeared at a corner, concealed by the shadows of the low-hanging branches.

Ruediger lowered his chin, then stared at Lariette. The light in his emerald irises softened as she looked up, allowing their eyes to collide.

“Shall we go now, Lettie? Have you thought of what you want for tonight?”

Ruediger’s husky voice, which mellowed at the edges, resonated in the small proximity shared between them. Lariette tried to assess his countenance again, but there were still no traces of tension or any unpleasantness in it.

If she may say, he looked even happier than usual.

‘Well… He might rejoice over the news.’

Lariette highly doubted that Ruediger had yet to hear about the bribery scandal linked to Chairman Alvord. Thus, there was only an explanation.

He was immensely pleased for the trouble faced by the man whose sole purpose was only to donate half of his genes to him.

“How about…” Lariette tilted her head, mischief glinting in her sapphire eyes, “I cook tonight? Hehe, for a change. Do you have anything you crave?”

“Oho?”

Ruediger raised his brows, the flash in his eyes mirroring the one in Lariette’s. He dipped his head lower, the warmth of his breath fanning her face the closer their proximity was.

Lariette froze before her heart somersaulted within the confines of her chest. The faint chatter and laughter from the distant school field became even fainter to her, the sound drowned by her rapid heartbeat.

“You wanna cook tonight? Any dishes that I crave?”

Ruediger’s voice was low and sensual, with a hint of teasing as he continued staring into Lariette’s eyes. The moment her gaze fell on his lips, she quickly turned away.

“You better tell me quick before I take it back.”

Ruediger laughed as he watched Lariette spinning on her heels, rushing in the direction leading to their apartment. He saw the adorable blushing look on her face earlier, urging him to tease her more.

“Lettie! Wait for me!”

“Hurry up!”

Laughing, Ruediger ran toward Lariette. The sun caught in his crimson hair, gleaming like flickers of flame. His heart felt light seeing her glancing behind her back, smiling at him ever so radiantly.