Heiress' Househusband is a Secret Billionaire - Chapter 269

Chapter 269: Never Trading His Peace
“Did you see the memo for Tuesday’s meeting?”

“My son brought his friends home yesterday. This is the leftover cookies I made for them.”

“Aaa! The ending made me cry! Can’t you see how puffy my eyes are now?”

The murmur of conversation buzzed in the teachers’ lounge as they gathered in tiny groups. Some caught up on weekend stories while a few focused on the lesson plans.

The morning sunlight poured in through the windows. Outside, the gentle breeze lifted the fallen leaves off the ground, drifting them away. The guard had just closed the main gate.

Instead of joining the others to chat, Lariette stayed at her desk. She was dressed warmly in a high-collared shirt and a calf-length pleated skirt. The loose strands of her hair framed her face.

Lariette made the final check for the first lesson which would be held in the library. The students of Class 7-B would gather there, led by their class monitor.

Buzz! Buzz!

Lariette’s eyes shifted from the lesson plan to her phone. Once she saw the familiar name on the notification bar, a smile lit up her face. She received a few texts from Ruediger.

‘Hehe, he surely has gotten it, right?’

Anticipation bloomed in Lariette’s heart as her mind conjured Ruediger’s blushing face. She quickly unlocked the phone before tapping on the unread messages. Besides the texts, he also attached a photo of the flower basket.

[Eddy: I didn’t expect the surprise at all. The florist said I’m lucky. Indeed, I am]

[Eddy: The flowers are lovely 🙂 Thank you, Lettie]

[Eddy: I also wonder where our chosen road will lead us. I hope our destination is the same]

[Eddy: Anyway, happy working! Hope you have a cozy day]

Ruediger’s messages were simple but enough to soften the smile on Lariette’s lips. She was also happy to know he appreciated the little surprise she planned this morning.

When Lariette recalled the lovely and hearty breakfast Ruediger prepared for her yesterday, the desire to do something meaningful for him sprouted in her heart. But she was unsure of the choices.

In the end, Lariette thought of getting Ruediger flowers. A man also deserved flowers, not just women. And she believed he wouldn’t feel emasculated by her choice.

Some men were offended by the color pink, flowers and any adorable items. More often than not, their masculinity was already fragile enough, easy to be shattered into shards.

Lariette initially wanted to have the flower basket delivered to the apartment at noon, only to scrap it when another idea came. She thought it would be funnier to intentionally lead the clueless Ruediger to the flower shop he had always frequented.

Humming softly, Lariette quickly typed her replies. Her grin widened as she read the text she had just sent to Ruediger.

[Lariette: The flowers will look great in your room or office ;)]

[Lariette: I have to trade cozy for chaos soon. Thankfully, we gonna be in the library first]

Without waiting for any new messages from Ruediger, Lariette slipped the phone into her bag. She pushed the chair backward as she stood up. Then, she began gathering her items.

The lesson began.

As Lariette headed to the library, Ruediger had just reached the apartment. The earthy scent of the fallen leaves clung to his jacket, alongside the chill of the breeze.

The smile never left Ruediger’s face from the moment he read the card written by Lariette. He carried the flower basket carefully as he walked down the hallway, heading to the bedroom.

Once inside, Ruediger placed the basket on the bedside table, the one near the windows. He admired the way the light showered on the lush petals, glinting off the remaining dew.

Sitting on the bed, Ruediger took off the jacket before fishing the phone out of its pocket. His brows raised slightly upon seeing the screen.

‘Oh, she replied.’

Lariette’s messages put a deeper smile on Ruediger’s lips. He slowly reread the texts before putting the phone down, his eyes drifting to the red peonies and yellow sunflower.

New beginnings with her.

Before leaving the bedroom, Ruediger admired the flowers again. His grin was so wide as he took several photos, intending to send them to Madeline and Nathaniel.

His intention? Of course, to brag!

Fifteen minutes later, Ruediger settled himself on the comfy swivel chair in his home office, alongside a steaming cup of coffee. He checked the e-mails sent by Edmund. Several reports needed his authorization.

Not long after completing his task, Ruediger opened a new browser tab. Moving and clicking the mouse a few times, The Sentinel Report website was displayed on the screen.

Instead of a smile of pure joy, Ruediger’s lips quirked into a smirk. The bold headlines were reflected in his eyes.

[Week Two: New Leaks Reveal Web of Corruption]

[Alvord Scandal: Whistleblower Alleges Decade-Long Cover-Up]

[Goverment Launches Formal Investigation into Alvord Corporation]

[Senator Grayson Fowler and Minister Lucian Firth Under Fire]

Propping one elbow on the armrest, Ruediger supported his chin. He exhaled slowly as he saw the photos of Matthew entering a government building, his face grim. The man’s entourage flanked him in black suits.

One week had passed since the damning reveal of Matthew bribing the People’s Century Party. Alvord Corporation’s stock kept plummeting as the scandal grew out of control. The shareholders also pushed him to step down.

Ruediger knew Alvord Corporation wouldn’t entirely collapse, which was never his intention. If the shareholders successfully kicked Matthew out, others were still available to fill the position of Chairman.

Reclaiming his seat as the heir? He would do no such thing.

Vincent, their relatives or others might fight to reign over Alvord Corporation, but Ruediger would remain far far away. He had been living well until now even without his inheritance and position in the conglomerate.

Ruediger closed the news, unwilling to waste more time than necessary on it. Edmund would immediately notify him of anything if something happened.

Trading his peaceful life for a crumb of Alvord Corporation?

Never.