Heiress' Househusband is a Secret Billionaire - Chapter 33

Chapter 33: How Did You Meet Your Husband?

‘Isn’t this the best thing ever?’

The thought crossed Stephanie’s mind as she stared at her reflection in the washroom mirror. Her lips, painted in the cherry pink color, curled up into a sinister smile.

Stephanie excused herself to the washroom half an hour after the meal began. Suffering from the pain of holding back laughter, she had to leave the dining room for a while.

Standing by the mirror, Stephanie recalled what happened earlier. She couldn’t forget the look of anger on Jonathan’s face before he sternly told Lariette off for deliberately causing trouble.

“Aren’t you ashamed of yourself? We have important guests today! How could you pull such a prank?”

If not for the people present, Stephanie believed Jonathan would lash out fully. He wouldn’t ever tolerate Lariette being related to anyone from the Alvord family, let alone marry one.

Lariette’s friendship with Madeline Alvord had already irritated Jonathan but, he didn’t care much because the lady was estranged from her father and the Alvord family.

Facing Jonathan’s wrath, a disinterested Lariette flashed her marriage card for everyone to see. It was issued alongside one’s marriage certificate upon registration.

It was the truth! Lariette and the outcast son of the Alvord family were indeed married!

“We’re married. See? I’ve brought a husband home as how Mom wanted me.”

Jonathan’s face flushed in anger but, he still controlled himself because the Silvera family was still around. He told everyone to head inside for dinner, trying not to acknowledge Lariette and Ruediger.

‘An abandoned daughter got married to a poor outcast of the Alvords. This is better than that bitch marrying Damien. Haa… this means I can’t use Damien to control her.’

Stephanie crossed her slender arms, a smirk tugging on her lips. The surprise that took over her when Lariette announced her marriage earlier had worn off, replaced with distorted joy.

‘Dad and Mom will be more enraged with that bitch. I also don’t have to worry about her snatching my Matt. Urgh! That damn old witch still wants that bitch as her daughter-in-law!’

Scrunching her face, Stephanie remembered when Mrs. Silvera asked Samantha about Lariette’s appearance for tonight’s dinner. Matthias’ mother still clung to the hope of changing the bride from Stephanie to Lariette.

From the fake daughter to the real daughter.

Damn blood!

She was the princess of the Elsher family! Not even the returned daughter could replace her!

Taking a deep breath, Stephanie smoothened her luscious blond locks, hoping to look as presentable as ever. She needed to return to the dining room soon, hoping not to miss any good show.

Stephanie hurriedly left the washroom. The hem of her gold dress billowed with each sway of her hips, her high heels clinking on the polished marble floors.

“I’m sorry for being away.”

Stephanie put on her demure smile once she entered the dining hall, her light blue eyes swept across the place. She felt gleeful inwardly as she sensed the tense atmosphere.

“My dear, return to your seat,” Samantha smiled lovingly at Stephanie, gesturing to the empty chair beside Matthias, “You haven’t eaten much.”

“Okay, Mom~”

Stephanie quickly sat beside her fiance. She glanced at Matthias whose perfect table manners highlighted his background. Her gaze went across the table.

Lariette and Ruediger sat side by side, quietly enjoying dinner. The bluish sparkles of their wedding bands glimmered under the chandelier hanging above.

‘Pretend all you want. You suit that outcast so very much!’

Samantha tried getting Lariette to sit with Damien. At the same time, Stephanie hoped Lariette would be sandwiched between her ex-boyfriend and her husband to stir more drama.

Unfortunately, Chairman Delaney sternly told Samantha to stop bothering the newlyweds. He wanted to kick Damien out of the manor yet, Samantha claimed he was her guest.

In the end, Damien was banished to the last seat on the opposite side of Ruediger’s.

Jonathan and Mr. Silvera discussed business, occasionally bringing Chairman Delaney and Matthias into their conversation. Declan was also included.

Samantha and Mrs. Silvera talked about the upcoming wedding next weekend. The former kept emphasizing how beautiful Stephanie would be on that day as a bride.

As for the others, they simply enjoyed the meal, including Lariette and Ruediger.

An unbothered Lariette silently savored the delectable dishes prepared by the Elsher family’s chefs. The delicious food was enough to get full attention from her.

“…?”

Blinking, Lariette’s sapphire eyes fell on the glass of water Ruediger silently slid near her plate. A tiny smile splayed on her lips. Turning to him, her smile only got wider.

Ruediger arched his brows, his emerald eyes flickering under the chandeliers. His crimson fringes swayed on his forehead, following his little movement of tilting up his chin.

Lariette put down her fork and knife, reaching for the water. The cool drink washed off the heavy taste of the pan-seared chicken with butter sauce.

“Lari~”

The sickeningly sweet voice caught Lariette’s attention. Pulling her gaze from Ruediger, her eyes landed on Stephanie whose bright smile oozed fakeness.

Declan and Celina exchanged a look before they quietly looked at Stephanie and Lariette alternatively. A bored Rafael also did the same while Alaric continued eating.

“You didn’t tell me you’re an item with Mr. Alvord. Since when? Weren’t you with Damien just two weeks ago?”

Stephanie sounded eager to know about Lariette’s story with Ruediger. Her last sentence caught everyone’s ears.

Aside from the young ones, Chairman Delaney, Jonathan and Samantha as well as the Silvera pair also looked at Lariette. Different thoughts came to their minds.

Damien shrank his neck, silently cursing Stephanie for asking such a question to Lariette. He didn’t care about the latter being humiliated BUT! He would be dragged along in this mess!

Lariette held back from scoffing openly. She knew what Stephanie was insinuating. The devil in the angel’s disguise tried to paint her as a two-timer.

“Oh, I didn’t think you’d be interested in our story,” Lariette curled up her lips, replying softly to Stephanie, “Well, it’s quite a lovely encounter—like how a knight saves a lady in a fairy tale.”

Stephanie’s eyes sparkled, foolishly thinking Lariette had fallen into her trap. She inquired further, “Shouldn’t you share this story? I have heard of my new brother-in-law’s reputation before but, haven’t met him in flesh.”

Alaric snickered without looking up from his plate, “A very good reputation. I’m honored to meet the man himself. Mr. Alvord, what are you doing now? You’re not busy with heirship training, aren’t you?”

Ruediger was unfazed by the mockery in Alaric and Stephanie’s voices. The Elsher secondborn openly took a jab at his crappy family situation.

Rafael rolled his eyes while Declan threw a warning look at Alaric. Jonathan and Samantha held back their smirk, happy to see their second son looking down on Ruediger.

The Silvera spouses exchanged glances while Matthias and Alana seemed disinterested. None of them expected to watch a humiliating family drama centered around Lariette.

Pausing from cutting the chicken breast, Ruediger responded, “I’m touched to know my new brother-in-law cares about me. I have an office job. My life is generally not hectic.”

The calmness in Ruediger’s tone, followed by a hint of playfulness, irritated Alaric. The latter expected to fish out a hurt reaction from the crimson-haired man.

Pushing the bridge of his glasses upward, Alaric continued asking, his tone snarky, “You have an office job? As a director? Where is it? Surely not at Alvord Corporation, right?”

Stephanie bit her lower lip, ridicule flickering in her blue eyes. She could count on her second brother to teach this outcast— Lariette’s incompetent husband—a lesson.

At the same time, Lariette quietly listened to Ruediger and Alaric’s verbal war. She knew the crimson-haired man was simply entertaining the cocky Alaric.

The show had truly begun now.