Heiress' Househusband is a Secret Billionaire - Chapter 43

Chapter 43: The Word Adorable Crossed Her Mind

After breakfast, Lariette insisted on washing the dishes despite Ruediger saying he could handle them. Their exchange lasted a few minutes before she stared pointedly at him and declared.

“You’ve cooked so, I’ll wash the dishes. If you still wanna help, just wipe the table.”

Ruediger let out a helpless chuckle, knowing he shouldn’t push this simple issue further. Lariette spoke with such a playful finality.

Nodding once, Ruediger finally relented, “Okay. I’ll clean the table.”

“Great!”

Lariette had just taken a few steps away from the dining room when Ruediger’s husky voice rang from behind.

“I feel useless as your househusband. What to do?”

Bursting into laughter, Lariette glanced behind her shoulder, looking at Ruediger who pretended to shrug. The crimson-haired man wore a smirk on his lips.

“Keep making delicious food. That’s enough for me.:”

Lariette winked once before hurrying to the kitchen with a tray of dirty dishes. Laughter slipped out of her lips as she heard Ruediger promising he would.

For the rest of the day, Lariette assisted Ruediger in setting up his home office. He told her to go and lazy around because it was the weekend but, she insisted on helping.

Lariette and Ruediger unsealed the rest of the boxes one by one before unpacking the items. They started by assembling the monitors and the rest of his gadgets on the large work desk.

The dazzling sunlight filtered through the windows, lighting the floating tiny particles in the air. The clear skyscape of the city spanned over the horizon, marking another beautiful summer day.

Lariette and Ruediger chatted as they moved around the room, trying to know each other better. She eventually brought up a question about his work life.

“If I may ask, what is your job? You’ve been working for Faulkner from the start, en?”

Ruediger’s lips curled into a tiny smile as he saw the look of curiosity in Lariette’s sapphire eyes. The question came when they sat on the floor to unpack the books he brought.

“Something like an analyst and, yes. I’ve worked for Faulkner Investment for over five to six years now. Right when Faulkner relocated to Velondia back then.”

Lariette barely remembered the giant investment company was originally based in another country. Jonathan and Declan often talked about it during family dinners before.

If Lariette was not mistaken, Chairman Faulkner’s adopted son moved the base to Velondia around six years ago. Rumors about the young man’s talent and background spread like wildfires.

Nathaniel Faulkner.

People wondered where Chairman Faulkner found Nathaniel and what led the respectable figure to adopt him instead of anyone within the Faulkner family.

The chairman and his wife were a pair of loving couple. Unfortunately, they were not blessed with a child even after decades of marriage.

Aside from Declan and Matthias, Nathaniel was also popular in Velondia’s high society. It was oh so unfortunate for his admirers; men or women, that he rarely appeared at banquets and other social gatherings.

“This means you’re great at your job,” Lariette grinned, seemingly in awe with her own guess, “I heard only the most talented can work there. You’re one of them!”

Ruediger’s emerald eyes remained on Lariette’s face. The light of joy in her sapphire orbs seeped into his heart, swelling it with pride.

Lariette resumed speaking as she took a few books out of the box. She didn’t notice the fondness in the way Ruediger was looking at her.

“Maddie bragged about your good grades sometimes. She said you excelled in schools and uni. Faulkner surely saw potential in you hence, they employed you.”

Whenever Lariette listened to Madeline telling stories about Ruediger’s achievements, she hadn’t know him at all. Nevertheless, she couldn’t help but feel proud.

Ruediger was in a similar situation as her. Both of them were scorned by their own families.

Hearing how such a person thrived in life made her envision her own success.

Never once did Lariette foresee herself marrying the man whose name and life story she only heard from Madeline all this time.

It was the same as how Lariette never expected herself to go against her family and entered a contract marriage with the said man.

Despite being only as contracted partners, the turn of events that led to their marriage was both funny and dramatic.

Ruediger arched his brows with a smile carving on his lips. He was happy to know Lariette was interested to learn more about him.

“You think too highly of me, Lettie,” uttered Ruediger, with a faint blush coloring his cheeks, “Well, as you already know, I’ve to work hard if I want to stand on my own.”

Ruediger’s words reminded Lariette of another one of Madeline’s stories. When the latter’s mother wanted him to inherit a few of her properties, Ruediger vehemently refused.

“Rudy wants nothing from my mom. He said she has done more than enough for him. Well, now he wants to take care of her next.”

Ruediger was immensely grateful for Felicia’s unconditional love and support when he got nothing from his father and siblings. Without the compassion of Madeline’s mother, he believed he wouldn’t reach where he was now.

Lariette let out a soft sigh. Tilting her head, she said in a voice ever so soft. Her sapphire orbs glinted with admiration.

“That’s why you’re admirable, Eddy. You maximized the chances you got. You didn’t wallow in self-pity just because of your unfortunate situation.”

Ruediger blinked, feeling his heart suspended for a moment before it thumped rapidly against his chest. Each of Lariette’s words traveled to his heart, causing it to beat frenzily.

Unconsciously clenching his hands on the books, Ruediger silently tried to calm himself down. As he sensed the heat emanating from his cheeks, he hoped they wouldn’t look as red as his hair.

“…I didn’t know what to say,” uttered Ruediger after a short period of silence, his voice shivering slightly, “But… I’m happy to know that’s what you think of me, Lettie.”

Lariette blinked, only realizing the faint blush on Ruediger’s cheeks. His smile had a hint of sheepishness, something she hadn’t seen from his usual laidback and confident self.

Somehow, the word adorable crossed her mind.