Heiress' Househusband is a Secret Billionaire - Chapter 34

Chapter 34: The Damn Knife Almost Cut His Ear Off!

“It’s just an ordinary job at Faulkner Investment,” Ruediger shrugged, mirth dancing in his emerald eyes, “How about you? If I’m not mistaken, you’re a doctor at Avalocare, aren’t you?”

Scoffing, Alaric answered condescendingly, “Yes. You’re lucky to see me tonight. I’m usually busy.”

Despite his patronizing nature, no one could deny Alaric’s stellar skills as a surgeon. Countless patients wanted to be under his care, especially the ones who could afford his service.

“Oh,” Ruediger arched his brows, seemingly intrigued by Alaric’s remarks, “A doctor is surely busy. Your schedule is usually full, isn’t it?”

A smirk was drawn on Alaric’s lips. Staring at Ruediger, his thought about the crimson-haired man was plain obvious on his face.

Alaric viewed Ruediger far beneath him.

“Yes, very busy. You know what, I have…”

His voice steady, Ruediger swiftly cut the rest of Alaric’s words.

“Busy enough that you didn’t have time to visit your sister even once. You at least knew Lari was hospitalized at your workplace, right?”

Alaric froze. Ruediger’s emphasis on the latter part of his sentence casts embarrassment on the former’s face. He unconsciously tightened his grasp on the knife and fork.

“…pfft!”

Rafael snickered while Declan masked his laughter with coughing. As the rest became more uncomfortable with the two men’s exchange, Chairman Delaney arched his white brows in amusement.

Wow!

It seemed like his new grandson-in-law was quite a tough opponent against his arrogant grandson.

Indeed. This was interesting to watch.

Should he get some popcorn?

When Ruediger and Alaric were engaged in the verbal battle, Damien sat quietly with his chin lowered. He tried to shrink his sense of existence.

Hahaha…

Damien didn’t know whether to laugh or cry. He thought he would be blasted when Stephanie opened up that topic.

Fortunately, Alaric centered his attention solely on that redhead bastard.

But…

Damien’s happiness was short-lived.

“L-Lari! You haven’t answered me! Come on, tell us. How dreamy your meeting with Mr. Alvord was?”

Stephanie quickly tried to regain control of the situation. Her tone was nervous as she repeated her previous question.

Shit!

If this outcast continued mocking her second brother, her future in-laws would surely look down on them!

‘Oh… She snapped.’

Upon hearing the subtle desperation in Stephanie’s voice, Lariette quietly put down her tea cup. The former’s fake smile appeared so comical to her eyes.

It was obvious Stephanie tried to change the subject because her side—Alaric—was at a disadvantage. The proud fake daughter wouldn’t ever want to tarnish her image before Matthias’ family.

Ruediger also noticed the same. Glancing at the smiling Lariette, he gently nudged, “Why don’t you tell them about our first meeting, honey?”

Lariette chuckled, clearly catching the amusement in Ruediger’s voice. Yes. She absolutely should entertain Stephanie’s curiosity.

Shifting her eyes from the pale Damien to the eager Stephanie across the table, Lariette said, “My husband saved me from my ex-boyfriend who tried to harass me. In a hospital, no less.”

A pin-drop silence shrouded the entire dining hall. The humorous look of how Stephanie’s jaw dropped earned a sneer from Lariette.

Stephanie’s second attempt inquiring about Lariette and Ruediger’s relationship displeased Chairman Delaney. Inwardly frustrated, he scrunched his face weathered by the passing years.

This was upsetting.

The elderly man understood that his granddaughter—the non-biological one—tried to humiliate his other—biological—granddaughter.

Holding back from saying anything, Chairman Delaney quietly assessed the room. Everyone, excluding him and Ruediger, was caught in the surprising revelation’s waves.

Despite wanting to intervene, Chairman Delaney knew Lariette wanted to handle this alone. After all, this was the very first time she boldly and openly went against her family.

Thus, Chairman Delaney turned a blind eye toward the ongoing mess even though they had guests. The Silvera spouses and their children were all stunned.

The silence of the dining hall was loud. Lariette’s statement robbed speeches from everyone sans Ruediger and Chairman Delaney. Her words replayed in their minds.

Lariette’s frosty sapphire eyes were locked on Stephanie’s unsightly expression, and the blond lady’s face became pale.

Out of the blue, someone shouted, shattering the silence.

“The hell?! Damien tried to assault you?”

Shocked and enraged, Rafael hollered loudly, his voice tinged with disbelief. His exclamation seemed to snap everyone out of their daze, all eyes were on Lariette.

“Lari, what happened?” Declan frowned, coming out of the shock, concern flickering in his eyes, “Damien harassed you? When you’re still injured from the accident?”

Lariette nodded, her voice firm, “Yes. If not for my husband Eddy, I might spend more days in the hospital. This trash was mad I dumped him because he cheated on me. I…”

A loud screech noise cut Lariette off. Scowling, her eyes reflected the frostiness of her insides as she continued staring at the cheating stud.

Damien had abruptly pushed his chair backward, causing the unpleasant screech. Standing up with his face flushed red in embarrassment, his blue eyes stared gloweringly at Lariette.

How dared she!

How dared she to humiliate him!

To hell begging for her help! He wouldn’t do it! Ever!

“Don’t spread lies! It’s you who cheated on me! You hooked up with this scum!”

The counter-accusation amplified the tension in the air. Everyone exchanged uncomfortable glances, not knowing what to do. The soft clinking of their silverware didn’t mask the unease.

“Damien, leave,” Declan growled, his voice saturated with anger, “Stop spewing lies! My sister has never cheated on you!”

“I’m not lying!” Damien shouted back. Pointing a finger at Ruediger, he spouted more fabricated truths, “Explain to me why they got married if not for cheating on me!”

Damien stared daggers at Ruediger who remained unbothered. The amused look on the crimson-haired man irritated him further.

In his annoyance, Damien didn’t notice how the veins popped on Ruediger’s right hand as he clenched the glass hard, trying to hold back from throwing it at that trash.

Patient.

Be patient.

Oblivious to Ruediger’s suppressed fury, Damien spewed more nonsense. His voice rose another octave, the whites in his eyes reddening.

“You made me the villain when you’re the one who cheated! Whore! You spread your legs to him and… ARGH!”

Clang!

The dining room fell silent, including Damien whose cocky demeanor faltered out of fright.

What… what was that?

Did he just feel something shiny and sharp fly past his ear?

Shaking in fear, Damien stiffly turned to look at the marble floor, blood draining from his face. His widened eyes were locked onto an object.

A cutlery knife.

The same damn knife that almost cut his ear off!

A few seconds ago, the knife sliced through the air, hurtling toward Damien. No one foresaw such a thing to happen.

The blade cut Damien’s sideburns before hitting the brick wall and falling. The victimized blond strands stuck to his shoulder.

“Y-you… you hit me! You bitch!”

Damien shakily lifted one hand, pointing a finger at Lariette who remained seated. She calmly retracted her right hand, the one she used to throw the knife at the cheating scumbag just now.

“If I truly wanted to hit you,” Lariette drew a smirk on her lips as she stood up, “I wouldn’t ever miss. You knew that.”

Her words, despite being spoken softly, were tinged with bone-freezing frost. They resonated clearly in the quiet and suffocating dining room.