Heiress' Househusband is a Secret Billionaire - Chapter 69

Chapter 69: Her Heart Health Would Be Compromised
“Go, Lari! Go! Go! Go!”

Madeline’s cheers of encouragement blared in the air, reaching the two contestants—Lariette and Ruediger—of the impromptu swimming match.

Splashes of water trailed behind the two figures as they glided through the waves. Their strokes were powerful and effortless as if they were natural with the water.

Ruediger didn’t expect Lariette to be such a good swimmer. Gliding ahead of him, her graceful form cutting through the waves.

Each of Lariette’s strokes was fluid, her unrestrained yet confident movements in the ocean reminded Ruediger of the mythical mermaids.

She was unparalleled.

Nothing couldn’t be compared to her.

As the thought struck Ruediger’s mind, his lips curled into a smile.

“LARI! Just a bit more!”

Madeline continued yelling from the shore. Lariette and Ruediger almost reach the rock at the same time.

Ruediger gave a more powerful kick, propelling him slightly ahead of Lariette. Nevertheless, she didn’t give up easily when an idea crossed her mind.

“Eddy!”

Reaching out a hand, Lariette playfully pushed Ruediger to slow down. Laughter bubbled up from her lips, harmonizing with the splashes of water.

Ruediger was stunned for a moment, surprised by the lingering touch left by Lariette. The lady took this chance to pat the rock before kicking it away, heading back to the shore.

The man was struck silly, floating near the rock just because of the surprise, fleeting touch by the lady.

“Hey! Won’t you follow?”

Lariette paused swimming once she noticed Ruediger hadn’t moved from the rock. Treading the water as she looked at him, laughter rolling out of her mouth.

“Ah! Coming!”

Snapping out of his trance, Ruediger finally glided to where Lariette was before stopping by her side. He lifted one hand, pushing his bangs from clinging to his forehead. The requirement of touching the rock had slipped far out of his mind.

“Why did you stop?” asked Lariette while rubbing her face. The saltiness of the sea lingered on her lips.

Instead of immediately answering Lariette, Ruediger threw his head back, laughing out loud.

Lariette watched Ruediger in confusion. The deep and warm sound of his laughter still rang over the gentle lapping of the waves.

The man suddenly relaxed his muscles, letting himself back-float on the water. His toned arms and legs extended out, his face upward to the shower of the sunlight.

Without looking at Lariette, Ruediger said between laughter, “What if I said I was mesmerized by a lovely mermaid swimming in the ocean?”

Lariette blinked, staring at Ruediger’s side profile with more questions in her eyes. Baffled, she asked again, “Did you see a mermaid? This isn’t a fairy tale.”

“Hahaha! Haha!”

Ruediger suddenly burst out laughing, his chest trembled from the vibration. Turning on his side, he returned to float vertically near Lariette.

“Lettie, I meant you,” Ruediger shook his head, helplessness was imbued in his softened gaze, “You swam like a mermaid just now. A lovely one, too.”

“…”

A surge of heat emanated from Lariette’s cheeks, spreading the faint red color to her entire face. Unsure how she should react, she glared at Ruediger.

“Don’t tease me.”

Lariette tried to scold Ruediger but, her voice lacked the sternness she envisioned. A deeper shade of red colored her cheeks.

The bashful look on Lariette’s face was so lovely to Ruediger. Arching his brows, mirth dancing in his emerald eyes.

“Why? I’m complimenting you, Lettie.”

The tenderness in Ruediger’s husky, velvety voice didn’t escape Lariette’s notice. She swore her ears could get pregnant by how divine his voice was.

But…

Most likely it would compromise her heart health.

“W-well, I won by default because you didn’t touch the rock! Bye!”

Hastily turning around, Lariette dived through the waves, leaving Ruediger. The echo of his hearty laughter came from behind, pushing her to swim faster to the shore.

Why did he look and sound so seductive when complimenting her earlier?

She wasn’t prepared for it at all.

‘How cute.’

Ruediger chuckled as he watched Lariette gliding toward the shore. None of them noticed Madeline had been taking their photos and videos from the beginning.

The strawberry blond lady even captured the sweet moment the newlyweds shared just now.

“How much should I demand from Rudy for these?” murmured Madeline with the ka-ching sound of money echoing in her mind, “I should get a good price.”

Smiling mischievously, Madeline couldn’t wait to extort Ruediger, her own cousin. She didn’t feel bad orchestrating such a plan at all.

Once Lariette and Ruediger reached the shore, they were still in a playful mood. They only quietened down when Madeline teased how lovey-dovey they looked.

The trio spent the rest of their daytime well at the secluded beach. With no other people around, especially the annoying ones, the place was like a sanctuary to them.

Lariette, Madeline and Ruediger returned to Chairman Delaney’s villa at sundown. The path was darker with the lack of sunlight, leading them to be more careful with their steps.

Lariette walked ahead while Ruediger chose to guard her and Madeline from behind. The forest was generally safe but, it was better to be careful when darkness lurked.

“Haa… I’m sleepy…”

Unable to stop herself, Lariette yawned while throwing herself on the couch. She had just changed into her nightgown after taking a shower.

Ruediger watched Lariette with amusement in his eyes. He was reading a magazine at the reading nook in a corner of the bedroom.

Instead of tying his crimson locks as usual, he simply let them loose behind his shoulders.

“How about dinner? You don’t want any?”

Dinner would be served in half an hour. Neither Lariette nor Ruediger would join dinner with the Elsher family on the wedding’s eve. Only Chairman Delaney went there for the sake of formality.

“I’ll get a shut-eye,” Lariette shook her head, barely able to keep her eyes open, “You and Maddie should eat first. Don’t wait for me.”

Recalling how energetic Lariette was at the beach, Ruediger was certain she was depleted of energy. He also still remembered that the lady shouldn’t overexert herself.

But…

“How about some warm milk? It’s better than going to bed hungry,” Ruediger suggested, worrying about Lariette.

“…that doesn’t sound bad.”

“Wait for me here.”

Putting the magazine on the table, Ruediger rushed out of the room. He didn’t need to go downstairs to the kitchen because the third floor had its own pantry, including a small kitchen stove.

Lariette blinked, thinking Ruediger moved so fast like a storm. Unsconsciously fidgeting with her nightgown, she felt her heart fluttering gently.

She initially thought her mind would be disturbed by Stephanie and the others but, thankfully, she was not. She loved spending time with the people who cared about her.

Her grandfather, her best friend and… her contractual husband.

Lariette could tell Ruediger’s care was genuine. Thus, she was truly grateful for meeting such a man during her time of need.

“Lettie, here.”

Ruediger returned in no time, bringing along a mug of warm milk. Lariette smilingly thanking him before slowly finishing the drink.

“Should I wake you up again?” asked Ruediger as he took the empty mug from Lariette.

“Two hours are enough for me. Please wake me up by then.”

“Okay. Have a good nap, Lettie.”

Lariette chuckled, waving at Ruediger as she headed to the inner room, “Later, Eddy.”

Never did she expect that she would oversleep, barely waking up near midnight.