Heiress' Househusband is a Secret Billionaire - Chapter 55

Chapter 55: The Mermaid’s Heart

Holding Chairman Delaney’s arm, Lariette slowly escorted the elderly man to his home office. Ruediger followed closely behind as he was invited to something he knew nothing about.

As Lariette stepped inside the study with Chairman Delaney, her sapphire eyes glanced around the room. The place was as well kept as usual.

The afternoon summer sun filtered through the lace curtain, casting delicate patterns of lights and shadows onto the furniture and the floor. The scent of aged books and polished wood lingered in the air.

‘It’s kinda nostalgic.’

Lariette didn’t spend her childhood here, unlike Stephanie but, she had her own fondness for her grandfather’s home office.

When Lariette had just entered the Elsher household, Chairman Delaney often invited her to his home. She used to stay in his home office or his favorite garden.

Stephanie always taunted Lariette, saying her presence would just be a nuisance to the elderly man but, she still accepted his invitations.

Lariette couldn’t deny how peaceful Chairman Delaney’s house was for her but, she still wanted to build a good relationship with her parents and siblings thus, she turned down his offer to live with him.

“Let’s go there, Lari.”

Chairman Delaney’s voice pulled Lariette out of her momentary trance. He was pointing to a row of the wooden bookshelves.

Knowing what Chairman Delaney meant, Lariette nodded once. Her heart thudded gently in anticipation as she herself couldn’t believe this moment would come for her.

Ruediger remained quiet as he stood behind Lariette and Chairman Delaney. His crimson locks caught the light in streaks while his emerald eyes flickered with interest as he studied the room.

Only a few days ago, he revealed an important part of his lifelong secret to the elderly man. He wondered when he would do the same to the lady.

One thing for certain was, that it might not happen soon.

Chairman Delaney and Lariette stood opposite the expansive bookshelves. He reached out for a candle holder hanging in between two racks, tilting it once.

Under Lariette’s expectant and Ruediger’s surprised gazes, one of the shelves rotated, revealing a hidden space behind—a small alcove.

“Come on in.”

Lariette glanced at Ruediger, smiling at him as she noticed the faint confusion in his emerald eyes. Nodding once, she silently encouraged him to join her and her grandfather inside.

Ruediger’s lips stretched into a smile. He returned a nod at Lariette before following her and Chairman Delaney.

Once the three of them were inside, Chairman Delaney pressed a switch, closing the hidden passage from being seen.

The elderly man told the newlyweds to wait at the seating area before making his way to the built-in safe box behind the work desk. It didn’t take him long to return with something.

A wooden box, carved with intricate patterns was held carefully in his wrinkly hands.

Chairman Delaney sat on the seat beside Lariette. His eyes softened, displaying a sense of vulnerability. When he finally spoke, his voice croaked, losing a little of his usual composure.

“Lari, I thought I wouldn’t ever get to give this to you. Thankfully, this moment came.”

Lariette’s lips remained curling into a smile but, it was imbued with sadness. A faint layer of tear glazed her sapphire eyes as she looked from Chairman Delaney to the box.

“I’m sorry, Grandpa. I was quite stubborn, wasn’t it?”

Lariette’s remark lured helpless chuckles from Chairman Delaney. Nodding once, he replied, “I can say so. I’ve prepared myself to receive your grandma’s nagging once I meet her again.”

Lariette unconsciously fidgeted with her skirt at the mention of her deceased maternal grandmother. The elderly woman, despite having not met her, entrusted her husband with the treasure in this box.

Madam Charlotte Delaney was already bedridden long before the news about Lariette’s existence reached the Elsher and the Delaney families.

Despite anticipating to meet her long-lost granddaughter, unfortunately, Madam Delaney passed away two weeks before Lariette’s whereabouts were found.

Before she breathed her last, Madam Delaney finally decided who would inherit this precious treasure of hers, something she kept contemplating until hearing about Lariette.

“Open it, Lari,” Chairman Delaney put the box on Lariette’s lap, his voice tingeing with faint hope, “I knew you would look great with this, just like when your grandma wore it.”

“…yes, Grandpa.”

Pursing her lips, Lariette opened the carved box, her movement slow. Her sapphire eyes fell on the glitters nestling atop a black silk—an exquisite set of blue diamond jewelry.

A necklace, a pair of earrings and a bracelet. All were hers.

Lariette’s breath hitched, her heartbeat speeding in the confines of her chest. Her hands shivered slightly as he held the box.

More tears pricked Lariette’s eyes as she took in the loveliness of the jewelry that held her maternal grandmother’s love, loss and legacy.

Ruediger still kept himself quiet but, he still sensed the emotional turmoil exuded by Lariette. Even though he knew nothing, he believed the treasure was important to her.

“G-grandpa… thank you…” Lariette lifted her eyes, looking at the teary-eyed Chairman Delaney, “I’m sorry… I kept refusing this before…”

“I understand why, my dear,” Chairman Delaney smiled while patting her shoulder, hoping to reassure Lariette, “You deserve this. No one can say otherwise, not even your mother.”

Choking on her sobs, Lariette nodded. She hugged Chairman Delaney, chanting gratitude repeatedly before the elderly man playfully chided her, telling her to try the jewelry.

“Hehe, okay.”

Lariette carefully took the necklace out, admiring the fine craftsmanship of the jewelry. The necklace felt cool to the touch as it lay on her palm.

The interlocking links of the necklace, adorned with small white diamonds, resembled laurel leaves. They created a dazzling effect that accentuated the entire piece[01].

Dangling at the center was the vivid blue diamond renowned as Memaid’s Heart, cut into a teardrop shape. The blue shade of the gemstone contrasted beautifully with the white diamonds.

Mermaid’s Heart, a precious treasure.

The jewelry set was cut from the same blue diamond, passed down from generation to generation within the Delaney family.

The current possessor was allowed to give it to whoever they wanted as long as they were in the family—including the daughters-in-law. If a divorce happened, it had to be returned.

Most holders kept the jewelry to themselves until their golden age before deciding on its inheritors but, Chairman Delaney’s mother did the opposite.

Madam Delaney was gifted Mermaid’s Heart right after she entered the family through marriage. This showed how much Chairman Delaney’s mother adored her new daughter-in-law.

Once again patting Lariette’s shoulder, Chairman Delaney spoke, his voice thickened with sadness.

“Lari, your grandma was so heartbroken because she knew she couldn’t hold on until you returned. Mermaid’s Heart belongs to you now. Don’t let anyone say otherwise.”

Holding back her tears, Lariette nodded again, “Y-yes… I understand, Grandpa. Thank you… for keeping it for me… I really… really didn’t think I deserved it…”

Madam Delaney didn’t pass the Mermaid’s Heart jewelry set to Samantha nor promised to let her inherit it later. She frankly said she hadn’t decided on the next inheritor.

Until Madam Delaney heard about Lariette.

The sickly old lady immediately called for the family lawyer and stated only the young lady, the granddaughter she hadn’t met, owned Mermaid’s Heart after her passing.

The will was recited not long after Lariette was found, weeks after Madam Delaney’s death.

———-

Reference:

1 – I referred to the Bulgari Laguna Blu necklace Priyanka Chopra wore to the Met Gala 🙂