Heiress' Househusband is a Secret Billionaire - Chapter 252

Chapter 252: Because They’re Damn Real!
When Ruediger and Lariette had a peaceful dinner on the balcony, the same couldn’t be said to Matthew Alvord. The bribery and political scandal forced him to be constantly on edge today.

After the end of the press conference, Matthew returned to the company instead of his residence. Vincent followed from behind, mostly staying quiet.

‘Damn! Damn them all!’

Matthew’s face flushed with rage as he rushed inside the office, his feet stomping heavily on the polished floor. Yanking off the tie from his neck, he threw it on the table as if it was a death sentence noose.

“Who dares to screw me up?!”

Matthew growled. He slammed both hands on the table. A blaze of fury flamed his eyes as his chest heaved up and down rapidly.

Gritting his teeth hard, the veins popped on Matthew’s forehead. His white-streaked crimson hair was messy, so very unlike the usual slick-back style.

“Father, we’re handling it,” Vincent, who had been silently following Matthew from behind, spoke, “But this is way bigger than a mere smear campaign. The documents were too specific. It should be someone from our circle.”

“Because they’re damn real!”

Matthew snapped, shouting angrily at Vincent. Turning around, he eyed his second son who clamped his mouth shut. The younger man lowered his gaze as he stared at the floor.

Vincent was there when Matthew faced the journalists in the grand conference hall earlier. He kept his composure despite the rising unease within him, for he knew he couldn’t afford to show any weakness when they questioned his father.

Matthew stood before the glares of spotlights and cameras flashing with an unwavering composure. He declared his innocence throughout the end.

“I deny all allegations of bribery and corruption, either personal or corporate. All these politically motivated accusations are baseless. I have always conducted my affairs with absolute integrity.”

“The leaked documents are fabricated. My legal team will pursue all necessary actions against these defamatory claims. My name and our corporation are at stake.”

After the urgent video conference Matthew had with Vincent and his right-hand men this morning, they did everything they could to control the damage from spiraling further. But bad news continued knocking on the door.

Declining stocks.

Threats from the investors and the opposing political factions.

Call for official investigations and internal audit.

Matthew attempted to contact Senator Grayson Fowler and Minister Lucian Firth, but none picked up until the nth time. Both politicians dared to blast their anger at them before cutting the call short.

Damn old men!

Damn snakes!

Matthew immediately ordered a conference once he caught wind the People’s Century Party did the same. The senator and the minister dared to lie through their teeth as they claimed innocence in front of the media.

“Find who’s behind this! I don’t care what you do to get it done! I want names!”

Matthew’s shout blared inside the spacious office room. With a sweep of his hand, he sent the items originally on the table scattering on the floor.

“Yes, Father.”

Vincent clenched his jaw before nodding. He sensed how heavy the air was, thickened by his father’s growing fury. The current storm that raged through the Alvord Corporation was something he hadn’t foreseen.

Everything was calculated precisely. Vincent couldn’t help but have some sort of admiration for the mastermind. Still, this didn’t mean that he agreed with whoever orchestrating this behind their backs.

“I will do that, Father. For now… why don’t you head home to rest? We’ll have another long day tomorrow.”

Matthew answered with a slam on the table. Vincent knew there was nothing more he could do here. After bowing slightly at his father, he walked out of the Chairman’s office, his footsteps heavy and listless.

The same question remained in Vincent’s mind as he headed down the cold hallways. Despite being late, some tables were still occupied by the staff due to the sudden trouble faced by the company—especially the PR Department.

Who was the mastermind?

One of their corporate rivals? Or one of the opposing political factions?

Narrowing his eyes, Vincent quickened his steps. He needed to be fast yet careful in planning a counterattack. Regardless of who the mastermind was, the Alvord Corporation couldn’t afford to delay any strike.

The young man’s figure disappeared inside the elevator, determined to uncover the truth.

Throughout the week, news about Chairman Matthew Alvord’s scandals continued topping the headlines of the business and politics column in newspapers. At the same time, the People’s Century Party was pressured by the opposition to be investigated thoroughly.

[Chairman Alvord: Is This the Fall of a Titan?]

[Shareholders Panic: Alvord Stock Nosedives Amid the Scandal]

[Century People’s Party Faces Internal Revolt After Bribery Fallout]

The Sentinel Report openly publicized the Alvord Corporation’s threat to sue them, causing the latter party to receive more backlash.

When Matthew, Vincent and their people were busy fending off more allegations from hitting them, Ruediger’s attention was on what might happen this weekend. He looked forward to Lariette’s first visit to the studio, also…

His plan to profess his feelings to her.

That Thursday morning, Ruediger got ready as usual to walk Lariette to school. Before leaving his room, his eyes traced the music sheet lying on the bed.

Pursing his lips, Ruediger’s heart thumped with anticipation and concern. He picked up the paper before carefully folding it and storing it inside the bedside drawer.

‘I hope she’ll love this song.’

An anxious Ruediger finally chose a song among the many on his lists. He originally picked a soulful, slow ballad love song, only to change his mind to something more upbeat, but also equally heartfelt.

Ruediger knew he had waited for so long, and he could afford to wait for way longer. But… for some reason, he wished to let Lariette know about his feelings.

Whether she would accept him, or be repulsive, he wouldn’t ever know. The answer only lay on her.

“Eddy! Are you ready?”

Lariette’s voice from the hallway outside snapped Ruediger out of his trance. He quickly pushed the door open.

“Ready!”

“Hehe, why do you sound so excited?”

A grinning Lariette appeared in front of his door, causing Ruediger’s heart to do another round of somersault. He chuckled while gripping the door handle tighter, fearing he would rush to hug her instead.

“It’s nothing. Shall we go now?”

“Let’s!”

Ruediger smiled to see Lariette turned around as she headed to the main entrance. Hope bloomed in his heart amidst uncertainty.