Heiress' Househusband is a Secret Billionaire - Chapter 90

Chapter 90: Among the Branches
“Haa… haa…”

Rain lashed against Lariette’s face as she sprinted into the forest. Her feet were only protected by the thin layer of a pair of home slippers.

Almost slipping on the wet ground a few times, Lariette kicked the slippers off. She resumed her run, her feet hurt under the broken twigs and rocks.

‘Hide! I need to hide!’

Lariette breathed raggedly once she hid behind a trunk. She faintly heard the men shouting behind her, their footsteps crunched through the underbushes. The men’s angry screams still echoed in the downpour.

‘This won’t do. The cave? No… I can’t hide there. The tides are rising.’

Still panting, Lariette looked around the area, her brain moving rapidly. Ahead, she spotted a tall tree with dense, low-hanging branches. A glimmer of hope flickered in her heart.

‘There!’

Without thinking, Lariette ran to the tree. She ducked under the bush, trying not to get caught before she could hide. Her adrenaline kicked in at the clearer sound of the men’s angry shout.

Scrambling up, Lariette’s hands gripped the rough bark despite the rain making it slick. Her agile movements indicated this was not her first time climbing a tree.

‘More… more!’

Lariette climbed as high as she could before she found a sturdy branch to perch on. Bringing her legs up, she scooted toward the trunk, her ears buzzing with the loud pounding of her heartbeat.

The men arrived seconds away after Lariette successfully climbed the tree. They scanned the entire vicinity, even kicking the bushes around.

“Where is she?” shouted the short-haired man.

“Damn!” the other barked, “Go back to the cabin!”

Biting her lower lip, Lariette stifled a sob as the men sprinted further away. The rain continued to pour, drowning the sound of her rapid heartbeat.

She stayed hidden, too afraid to move lest she accidentally reveal her hiding place.

‘Who are they? And… Eddy! What if they harm him?’

Eye wide in shock, Lariette hurriedly checked her pockets. She remembered putting her handphone inside one of them before opening the cabin door.

Unfortunately, she found nothing.

The realization hit Lariette like a slap. She frantically rummaged into her pockets again, only to get the same disappointing result.

Her phone was nowhere to be found with her!

Most likely the phone fell when she made her mad dash just now.

“Eddy…”

Pulling her legs closed to her chest, Lariette could only wait. The minutes seemed to stretch into hours. The forest grew darker but, fortunately, the rain seemed not as heavy as earlier.

Hidden among the thick branches of leaves, Lariette shivered and soaked to the bone. Her mind raced with countless questions, most of which were related to Ruediger.

Where was he?

Was he safe?

Would he find her?

Sweeping her eyes around the area, Lariette no longer saw the men nor heard their shouts. Seemed like they had given up.

“I should look for him…”

Lariette’s teeth chattered due to the cold. She decided to climb down once the rain turned into drizzle again.

Hopefully, nothing bad happened to Ruediger. Lariette also didn’t want to stay too long out in the cold like this. She might fall sick if this went on for longer.

“…ttie! Lettie!”

“…Eddy!”

Her eyes widening, Lariette’s heart leaped in surprise. Ruediger’s voice, loud and clear, cutting through the falling rain.

“Lettie! LARIETTE!”

Ruediger’s shout grew louder. Lariette followed the direction of his voice, spotting his tall figure moving cautiously through the trees, sharply scanning the area.

“E-Eddy! Eddy! Ruediger!”

Lariette cried out, her voice cracked as she shouted, the pain raw from the cold and rain. Calling Ruediger desperately, her words barely audible over the rain.

“EDDY! HERE!”

Nevertheless, Lariette continued shouting. She reached for the branch above her, her shivering hand gripping its wet surface.

“Ruediger!”

Using the last of her strength, Lariette shook the branch vigorously. Droplets of water cascaded down, the rustling sound echoed above the rain.

“LARIETTE!”

Looking up, Ruediger’s sharp eyes caught the uncanny shaking of the branch. His ears also heard the faint echo of Lariette’s voice albeit hoarse.

Ruediger stopped short under the tree, shocked to find Lariette hiding on one of the thick branches. She stopped shaking the branch, relief was evident on her face.

“Lettie! Stay there!” Ruediger’s initial surprise shifted to worry and determination, “I’m coming up.”

Ruediger climbed with ease, the slippery bark was nothing to his strong hands. He reached Lariette within a short time.

“Lettie…” Ruediger carefully balanced himself on the thick branch, scooting closer to the frightened Lariette, “Come.”

“Eddy!”

Lariette clung to Ruediger, her body still shivering. The cries she held back before sprung out from her mouth, followed by more tears mixing with the rain.

Holding Lariette’s trembling figure in his arms, Ruediger’s heart conflicted between relief, sadness and anger. He ran one palm across her back, hoping to soothe her.

“You’re safe now, Lettie. I handled them,” Ruediger whispered into Lariette’s ear, his voice a low murmur of comfort, tingeing with regret, “I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have left.”

Ruediger was surprised when he returned to the cabin, finding glass shards and some signs of a fight. He also saw several footsteps on the muddy ground outside.

Seeing Lariette nowhere, Ruediger’s blood ran cold. He ran into the forest, following the footsteps before he bumped into two unfamiliar men.

Needless to say, they were no match for him.

Ruediger quickly knocked them out cold and dragged them back to the cabin. He made sure to tie them up before resuming his search for Lariette.

Without a doubt, the two men were related to her disappearance.

Biting his lower lip, Ruediger felt his entire body blazing with fury. If not for rushing to find Lariette, he wouldn’t have hit them unconscious quickly.

“N-no… They’re at fault…” Lariette shook her head, slightly pulling away from Ruediger, “Still… thank you… I thought they had hurt you.”

Relief flooded Lariette’s heart upon learning Ruediger was unharmed. It was clear that he had crossed paths with the two men. Fortunately, nothing happened to him.

Ruediger’s gaze softened as he scanned the look on Lariette’s face. Moving his hands from her back to her arms, he said, “Let’s get back to the cabin. You might get sick.”

“…okay.”

Ruediger helped Lariette down carefully. His heart ached at the sight of cuts on her hands, especially on the palms. He also knew her feet were scraped badly.

“I’ll treat you after you shower,” Ruediger’s emerald eyes darkened as he intently assessed the scratches, “Don’t say they’re nothing, okay?”

Lariette smiled in helplessness. Ruediger’s last remark made her swallow her ‘I’m fine.’ She blinked in confusion upon seeing the man’s next action.

Ruediger knelt on the ground, the rain clinging to his hair and shoulders. Glancing at Lariette, he motioned for her to climb on his back.

“Eddy, what…”

“Get on my back,” Ruediger said in a gentle tone before adding playfully, “Or, do you want me to princess carry you?”

“Oh… okay.”

Lariette had no energy to argue despite feeling a little bashful, her cheeks warming despite the cold. Grasping Ruediger’s shoulders, she carefully got on his back.

“Thank you.”

Lariette murmured softly. She encircled her arms around Ruediger’s neck as she settled onto his sturdy, broad back. Her aching feet felt better upon leaving the ground.

“Hold on tight.”

Rising to his feet, Ruediger’s strong hands supported Lariette beneath her thighs. He walked toward the cabin, his steps remaining steady despite carrying her on his back.