Heiress' Househusband is a Secret Billionaire - Chapter 85

Chapter 85: She Is as Beautiful as Always
Lariette didn’t let the chaos of the ruined wedding bother her too much. After Stephanie and Samantha left through the back door, she and Ruediger led Chairman Delaney back to the villa.

One thing was for sure—this scandal wouldn’t fade easily.

Both families wouldn’t stop blaming each other as the outsiders gossiped about them.

“Oh… it’s raining.”

Sitting by the window in the backseat, Lariette threw her gaze outside. The light pitter patter of the rain began falling from the sky, some showering on the sedan as it sped down the road.

“We didn’t expect any rain these few days,” commented Chairman Delaney, also staring at the darkened sky outside, “Wrong case of weather forecast, I think.”

Lariette nodded quietly. Her sapphire eyes trailed the passing view of the beach. The ocean lost a little of its shimmering luster under the darkened sky.

Based on the time, all of them should be at the reception hall by now. How conveniently ironic for the rain to fall after Matthias left Stephanie at the altar.

Lariette, Ruediger and Chairman Delaney arrived at the villa in another five minutes. As they walked down the hallway, the elderly man said he would stay in the bedroom until dinnertime.

“Get some rest, Grandpa. Don’t think about anything else, please. Let them settle the mess themselves.”

Lariette hugged Chairman Delaney, feeling sorry that her grandfather was unjustly caught in the chaos. Still, she knew that this elderly man wouldn’t simply do nothing.

“Don’t worry about this old man, Lari. I’ll be fine,” Chairman Delaney smiled faintly as he returned Lariette’s hug, “Oh, I forgot to tell you this.”

Releasing Lariette from the hug, Chairman Delaney fondly stared at his lovely granddaughter. His eyes assessed Lariette from head to toe before they landed on the necklace.

“The Mermaid’s Heart necklace suits you very well, my dear. My Lottie will be so happy and proud if she was here.”

Chairman Delaney’s voice brimmed with pride for Lariette and longing for Charlotte, his deceased wife. Even after a decade, he still missed her dearly.

“Grandpa…”

Seeing the glaze in Chairman Delaney’s eyes, Lariette felt a lump in her throat. She couldn’t help but wonder how many times her grandfather pictured her adorning the necklace.

All these years, she let him keep the Mermaid’s Heart on her behalf because she was too afraid to make her parents upset.

“I’ll wear it more often.”

Lariette spoke with determination. Her new resolution cast a beaming glow on Chairman Delaney’s face.

“You do?”

The anticipation in the elderly man’s voice was unmistakable. He was evidently delighted upon hearing those words from his beloved granddaughter.

Lariette smiled sheepishly, never foreseeing how elated Chairman Delaney could be. She felt more determined to do the simple gesture if it meant making her grandfather happy.

“The necklace and the earrings might be too flashy but, the bracelet is perfect for daily wear. I’ll take care of them well, Grandpa.”

“Oh! Please do! I mean, please wear them more often,” Chairman Delaney laughed, amused by his own behavior. Once again, he repeated, “The Mermaid’s Heart suits you very well, my dear.”

As the grandfather and the granddaughter pair shared the little yet precious moment together, a certain man’s velvety voice drew their attention to him.

“Why don’t you two take some photos together?”

Lariette and Chairman Delaney looked at Ruediger. Smiling with one corner higher, he shook the smartphone in his hand.

“Take photos?”

Seeing the blank look on their faces, Ruediger chuckled, “Lettie, Grandpa, you haven’t taken any photos today. It’ll be a pity if you don’t have any at all.”

Ruediger was telling the truth. Chairman Delaney was busy entertaining the guests before the wedding began. Even later, they were caught up in the chaos started by Matthias.

Lariette’s whole face beamed once the idea sank into her mind. Nodding twice, she happily agreed with Ruediger’s suggestion.

“That’s a good idea! Let’s do it! Ah, wait! Grandpa, Eddy, how do I look?”

Ruediger and Chairman Delaney chuckled in sync when Lariette rushed to the nearby mirror, making sure she looked presentable. She smoothened her hair while checking her face.

“My dear, don’t panic ah,” Chairman Delaney mused, his tone carrying a hint of ease, “My granddaughter is as beautiful as always. Isn’t that right, Eddy?”

A twinkle glinted in Ruediger’s emerald eyes. Smiling at Chairman Delaney before looking at Lariette, he sang the same tune, “Yes. Lettie is as beautiful as always.”

Blinking, Lariette sensed the heat emanating from her face. She glanced at Ruediger and Chairman Delaney, her cheeks pinkening.

“You two are teasing me,” Lariette narrowed her eyes, harrumphing before staring at her reflection in the mirror again, “Eddy, I didn’t think you’d just follow Grandpa.”

The two men shared more laughter, amused by the lady’s remarks. The merry echo lightened the lingering tension in the air.

“She’s shy,” Chairman Delaney told Ruediger, his eyes locking on Lariette’s back, “Just like her grandmother. Sometimes my Lottie would say the same thing if I praised her.”

“Seems like Lettie inherited one of her grandmother’s traits,” Ruediger easily played along, entertaining Chairman Delaney, “Aren’t you happy, Grandpa?”

“Hahaha! Of course!”

Lariette pretended to sigh once she returned to Chairman Delaney’s side. She simply put on a little more lipstick and smoothened her hair.

“Hurry! Photo time! Please be our photographer, Mr. Alvord.”

Ruediger let out a throaty chuckle. Raising his brow, he asked cheekily, “How much is my payment? I won’t accept below one grand, Miss Elsher.”

Widening her eyes, Lariette exclaimed, “Such a daylight robbery!”

Ruediger and Chairman Delaney laughed upon hearing Lariette’s cry. She followed soon, giggles bubbling from her lips.

“First one! Lettie, Grandpa, let’s move here. Ah, yes. Perfect.”

Lariette and Chairman Delaney began posing for a few photos under Ruediger’s guidance. They changed from one place to the other. They also asked a helper to capture photos of the three of them.

The merry ambiance in Chairman Delaney’s villa was a stark contrast to the heavy air at the Elsher family’s holiday home.