Heiress' Househusband is a Secret Billionaire - Chapter 72

Chapter 72: Have You Two Gone Nuts
<.Chairman Delaney’s private villa.>

A quiet Lariette stared at the two unexpected guests who appeared past midnight, Declan and Rafael. She really couldn’t believe her eyes.

Declan and Rafael… come here? At such hours? Why?

Surprise still overtook her heart even after their grandfather invited the two men inside the room. She blankly nodded at them when they greeted her.

Declan and Rafael shared the same couch. From how immaculately they dressed—in neatly pressed, tailored tuxedos—Lariette didn’t have to ask to know from where they came.

It was very obvious.

Declan and Rafael most likely came from the glamorous birthday celebration for Stephanie. In such getups, the brothers looked so out of place because the others were in their nightwear.

Chairman Delaney occupied a single-seater couch, also looking at Declan and Rafael. Frowning slightly, questions were evidently swirling in his eyes.

Ruediger and Madeline chose to sit on the other side of the room, warily staring at the men. They gave some space for Lariette without leaving the room, afraid that Declan and Rafael would do anything to upset her.

Lariette, who sat facing Declan and Rafael with a coffee table separating them, finally broke the silence by asking, “What are you doing here?”

Her question was simple and the way her voice sounded showed that she was dubious about their sudden appearance. There was not even the slightest joy indicating she was happy to meet the two men, her elder brothers.

Rafael glanced from Lariette to Declan, seeing the glum on the latter’s face. He fidgeted with the hem of his suit jacket, wondering what Declan would say in response.

This was not something they had planned beforehand!

Half an hour ago, Declan asked Rafael if he wanted to follow him to their grandfather’s villa. The former clearly mentioned meeting Lariette.

“It’s her birthday today too. I don’t know if we can meet her or not, but… Well, I just don’t want to wish her only through a text.”

Thus, Rafael followed Declan without thinking much, leaving Stephanie’s birthday celebration at the hotel. They were fortunate enough to be allowed into their grandfather’s villa without trouble.

Declan quietly stared back at Lariette, seeing the distrust in her sapphire eyes. It seemed like he and Rafael intruded when she was having her own birthday celebration.

Despite appearing modest, Declan couldn’t deny this room was carefully set up for Lariette’s birthday. He was also surprised to see their elderly and frail grandfather was still up at this hour.

Locking his gaze on her, Declan answered calmly which earned more surprised looks from Lariette, Chairman Delaney, Madeline and Ruediger.

“We’re here to wish you a happy birthday, Lari.”

Rafael quickly nodded repeatedly, showing that what the former said was true, “Yes. We’re here just for that. Not to trouble you like… what Mom did yesterday.”

Frowning, Lariette’s countenance expressed only doubt. She didn’t look happy or touched upon hearing that her two elder brothers were here because of her birthday.

Did Declan and Rafael really leave Stephanie’s party just to personally wish her a happy birthday?

Wouldn’t their cherished Stephanie be upset if she ever knew about this?

Lariette couldn’t comprehend what was going on in Declan and Rafael’s minds, leading her to blurt out something worthy for Madeline to snort.

“Have you two gone nuts? You never did such a thing.”

“Pfft! Cough! Cough!”

Madeline quickly masked her snort with coughing once she and the others heard Lariette’s response to Declan and Rafael. The two men pursed their lips, looking a little ashamed.

Chairman Delaney and Ruediger exchanged a glance despite sitting in different areas. Both of them thought nothing was wrong with Lariette’s question despite how funny it sounded.

Declan’s voice rang again in the room, lacking his usual composure as he replied, “Like how you’ve just said, we’re here tonight because we never did such a thing before.”

Once again Rafael nodded, displaying the same sentiment he shared with Declan, “It’s true, Lari.”

Lariette had never expected to see defeated and remorseful looks coming from Declan and Rafael.

She acknowledged they defended her quite a few times against the others as of late, including yesterday’s family meeting but…

To know they immediately came here at midnight, leaving their supposedly beloved younger sister’s celebration behind stirred something in Lariette’s heart.

Still…

Lariette would keep her distance from Declan and Rafael. They might grow closer in the future or, they might never. She refused to disappoint herself again.

Expelling a soft sigh, Lariette nodded once, “I’ll accept your wishes then. Thank you.”

Declan and Rafael seemed relieved to hear that response from Lariette despite her still showing her lack of trust in them.

“Happy birthday, Lariette,” Declan brought up something from the inner pocket of his jacket, “I hope the future days will bring you happiness.”

Rafael followed suit, taking out something from his breast pocket, “Lari, happy birthday. Sorry, I didn’t prepare anything special but… I hope you’ll accept these.”

Declan placed a small velvet box on the coffee table opposite Lariette while Rafael put a handful of candies wrapped in a napkin. The unexpected gifts from the two men stunned her.

“…thank you.”

Yet, what else Lariette could say aside from thanking Declan and Rafael? She didn’t want to waste her energy by being unnecessarily petty and angry during her own birthday party.

Chairman Delaney’s face softened upon seeing the awkward yet meaningful interaction between the three siblings. His heart felt more at ease.

The elderly man had never brought it up but, he noticed the little changes in Declan and Rafael. The positive shifts were evident from that night of the ruined dinner[01].

Declan and Rafael were already content to see Lariette accepting these little gifts. As if in sync, the two brothers rose to their feet.

“We’ll return to our place now. We won’t bother you any longer,” said Declan before drifting his eyes to Chairman Delaney, “Grandpa, Ray and I will leave first.”

“See you tomorrow,” Chairman Delaney nodded, waving his hand once, “Be careful on your way back.”

Lariette watched Declan and Rafael walking out of the room after greeting their grandfather. She actually wondered if she should invite them to stay for the party or not but…

She ended up not asking.

Declan and Rafael might have started treating her better but, Lariette didn’t want to cling to such hope. She was also actually reluctant to celebrate her birthday with them.

“Lari! What did they give you?”

Madeline’s voice pulled Lariette out of her trance. Her friend rushed to where she sat right after Declan and Rafael left. Ruediger quietly followed from behind.

“Ray gave me candies. Dec gave me… en?”

“What’s wrong, Lari?”

Without replying to Madeline, Lariette took the velvet box. She had just noticed there was a folded paper underneath.

Did Declan leave this for her?

Opening the paper, Lariette silently read what was written on it. Her eyes widened slightly, surprised by the content of the paper.

‘Come to me if you encounter any trouble tomorrow. Whether it’s before, during or after the wedding. Happy birthday, Lari’

This…

What did Declan mean?

Did he know the same thing she had just learned recently?

A frown marred Lariette’s forehead as countless assumptions came to her mind.

———-

Reference:

1 – Chapter 34