Heiress' Househusband is a Secret Billionaire - Chapter 29

Chapter 29: This Was Out of the Lady’s Norm!

Before Chairman Delaney shot bullets of questions to Ruediger, Brian swiftly instructed everyone to head inside the manor. Lariette quickly joined his effort, saying she felt hot being outside for so long.

“Let’s go inside. We should have cold drinks over our chat,” uttered Brian, flashing a bright smile at Lariette and Ruediger, “Our chairman here surely has many things to ask.”

Brian was as surprised as Chairman Delaney when Lariette claimed she and Ruediger were married but, he didn’t let the shock manifest on his face.

After a short moment passed, Brian was intrigued to learn what led Lariette to marry Ruediger when she was still together with Damien weeks ago.

“Mr. Alvord, follow us. We’re going to have a long talk.”

Feeling sorry for his dear granddaughter, Chairman Delaney begrudgingly told Ruediger to join them. He already had tons of questions to be asked as soon as possible.

Ruediger’s countenance was still calm, remaining unbothered by Chairman Delaney’s reaction. Curling his lips, he nodded once, “Yes, Chairman Delaney.”

Standing up, the elderly man stared at Ruediger for a moment longer before turning around. Brian walked by Chairman Delaney’s side after gesturing at Lariette and Ruediger to follow.

The newlyweds didn’t immediately trail after Chairman Delaney and Brian. Lariette looked at Ruediger, an apologetic smile hanging on her lips.

“I guess it’s the interrogation time next.”

Lariette’s remark lured laughter out of Ruediger’s mouth. Raising one brow, he calmly replied, “The sooner we get over the interrogation part, the better.”

“You’re really positive. It’s good,” Lariette chuckled, giving Ruediger a thumbs-up.

“Thank you, milady.”

Lariette and Ruediger exchanged a smile before finally following Chairman Delaney and Brian. They saw the two men talking to each other in low voices, most likely the topic was about Ruediger.

The four of them gathered in Chairman Delaney’s favorite lounge. The floor-to-ceiling glass walls allowed everyone to see the perfectly groomed garden outside.

Helga, the head housekeeper of this manor for almost two decades, came to serve drinks and snacks. She exchanged pleasantries with Lariette whom the former adored.

Helga didn’t forget to close the doors before leaving as Brian instructed. Despite being curious about the crimson-haired gentleman Lariette brought, she sensed the tension in the air.

What was happening?

Chairman Delaney occupied the single couch. Brian sat on the two-seater one on the left while Lariette and Ruediger settled themselves on the three-seater couch on the right.

“Lari,” Chairman Delaney shifted his gaze to Lariette, confusion engraving on his countenance, “Are you not pulling our legs? Are you really married to Mr. Alvord?”

Despite understanding that Lariette wouldn’t ever joke about a serious topic like this, Chairman Delaney still hoped she did. He couldn’t fathom what had caused his granddaughter to marry this Alvord boy suddenly.

Was there anything he wasn’t aware of?

Keeping her back straight, Lariette clasped her hands together. She sensed Ruediger’s warmth from her side, their arms almost grazing one another.

Recalling how confident he usually was filled her heart with resolve.

“Grandpa, what do you think?” Lariette smiled, trying to snip the buds of uneasiness from her heart. Her eyes were locked on Chairman Delaney’s, “When you see us together?”

Sensing something beneath Lariette’s questions, Chairman Delaney narrowed his eyes. A thought surfaced in his mind, prominently above the others.

In disbelief, Chairman Delaney voiced out the particular thought, “Are you married because of something else? Not because you’re in love?”

No matter what, he didn’t sense the romantic vibe that usually radiated from a pair of newlyweds.

Her grandfather’s question didn’t surprise her. Now was the time. Whether it was the right move or not, she could only gamble.

Lariette nodded, affirming with her words, “It’s a contractual marriage.”

A pin-drop silence shrouded the entire lounge, adding another layer of tension in the air.

Chairman Delaney was too stunned to speak. Brian was also surprised to hear Lariette’s confession. Ruediger remained silent, knowing it was not the time for him to speak yet.

“…a contractual marriage?”

Chairman Delaney’s eyes widened in surprise once more. Perplexed, he stared from Lariette to Ruediger, trying to find signs of them fooling him.

Brian parted his lips yet he quickly held back from questioning Lariette. Glancing at the shocked Chairman Delaney, he believed the elderly man had the same inquiries as him.

“Grandpa, I know this comes as a surprise,” Lariette smiled apologetically, her tone softening, “May I tell you what happened to me two weeks ago first?”

“What happened?” Chairman Delaney frowned, his next question lacing with accusations, “Did your parents do anything to you again?”

Chairman Delaney couldn’t help but think if Jonathan and Samantha played a role in Lariette’s uncanny decision to have a contractual marriage with Ruediger.

This was out of his granddaughter’s norm!

Lariette neither admitted nor denied Chairman Delaney’s guess. With her sapphire eyes steadily looking at her grandfather, she recounted her life from two weeks back.

“I visited Damien’s apartment without telling him. I walked in on him cheating on me. When I ran away without any aim, I got into an accident and was hospitalized.”

“…what?”

“It’s the truth, Grandpa. I’m sorry for not telling you this sooner but, I don’t want to worry you. So many things happened at once.”

“B-but… you should’ve told me!” Chairman Delaney let out an exasperated sigh, “You were injured, my dear.”

“I know… I’m sorry, Grandpa.”

Chairman Delaney was out of words. Once again sighing, he didn’t expect such a grave accident to fall on his granddaughter.

Lariette exchanged a glance with Brian, giving her a grateful smile before once again shifting her focus on Chairman Delaney.

Brian understood the elderly man would be furious over learning about Lariette’s accident, including how Samantha and Jonathan didn’t pay any attention to their injured daughter.

If not requested by the young lady, Brian would have already informed Chairman Delaney.

Lariette took a deep breath, finding it difficult to bring up the next part. Sensing a touch on her arm, she turned to her side, her gaze colliding with a pair of emerald eyes.

Ruediger’s smile was soft, silently comforting Lariette’s tensed nerves. She believed she was doing the right thing.

Returning her gaze to her grandfather, Lariette tried suppressing the ache tearing into her heart. She might appear calm on the outside yet, only she knew how deep this pain was.

“Grandpa, do you know what my mom said when I first called her after waking up in the hospital?”

Chairman Delaney froze once Lariette brought up her mother’s name. Sensing something was terribly wrong, he quietly asked, “What did your mother do this time?”

Lariette tried to smile but, bitterness leaked from her eyes.

“She asked why I added more to her stress. She also ordered me to marry that cheater before Phanie’s wedding.”

Chairman Delaney blinked, never expecting to hear such a response from Samantha.

Lariette resumed talking after a momentary silence, “She blamed me for Damien’s cheating. She didn’t ask about my condition at all, Grandpa. Not even once.”

Sitting quietly beside Lariette, Ruediger’s countenance darkened.

Despite being aware of this issue, he couldn’t help but feel frustrated and disappointed on her behalf.

How lonely had she felt? Her family didn’t show even an ounce of care for her.