Heiress' Househusband is a Secret Billionaire - Chapter 91

Chapter 91: Was It a Coincidence?
As Ruediger carried Lariette through the rain-soaked forest, the weather began clearing up. The forest floor was muddy from the rain yet, the man strode on it with ease.

Lariette quietly stared at the back of Ruediger’s head. She still felt the lingering fear from the ordeal, also the pain from her feet and hands yet, she also felt oddly safe right now.

The man’s firm stride and steady breaths soothed her tensed nerves, keeping her grounded in the moment.

“Lettie, relax. No need to be stiff,” Ruediger suddenly spoke without glancing at Lariette behind, his voice calm and reassuring, “Lean your head on my shoulder if you want.”

Lariette blinked, heat flushing on her cheeks. She simply let out a low hum before doing so.

A faint smile curled on Ruediger’s lips as he felt Lariette resting her head on his right shoulder. Sensing her vulnerability, a pang of protectiveness surged within him.

Also…

Ruediger was acutely aware of Lariette’s warmth against his back. As far as he remembered, this was the closest physically they had been.

None of them spoke anymore until they reached the cabin.

“Where are they?” asked Lariette, recalling Ruediger saying he subdued the two men. Her eyes scanned the area around the cabin.

“I tied them at the back,” said Ruediger, his voice strained with irritation, directed at the two intruders, “Don’t worry about them. Let’s get you warm first.”

Lariette simply nodded, having not much energy to deal with anything else. She desperately craved warmth, feeling the coldness deep into her bones.

Ruediger carried Lariette until the washroom. He carefully lowered her to the floor, worrying about the cuts on her feet.

“Take a hot shower. I’ll put your bag outside here, en? Let me get it for you.”

“…okay.”

Ruediger left Lariette with those words before pushing her into the washroom. Dragging herself to the shower cubicle, she hurriedly took the drenched clothes off.

What had actually happened?

Who were the men?

Was it a coincidence or… was there something malicious behind their appearance?

The thought lingered in Lariette’s head as she stood underneath the showerhead, letting the heated water run through her figure.

The mud and other dirt were rinsed, tainting the pooling water around her feet. She ignored the stinging pain from the cuts being exposed to the running water.

Closing her eyes, Lariette let the warmth of the shower thaw the coldness clinging to her skin. Silent, relief tears rolled down her cheeks, falling alongside the shower water.

The time continued ticking as Ruediger was preoccupied with several tasks. He occasionally glanced at the washroom, wondering about Lariette’s well-being.

Standing by the window, Ruediger had his phone pressed on one ear. He had been talking to someone for a while now.

“…yes. I’ll make sure of it. Please don’t worry, Grandpa. Okay. See you later.”

The deep frown on Ruediger’s forehead didn’t ease up even after ending his phone call with Chairman Delaney. Frustration and regret still battled a conflict in his heart.

Ruediger contacted Chairman Delaney after cleaning up the cabin. He cleared the space from the glass shards and sticky mud, including the one trailing to the washroom.

Everything was spotless now as if the previous intrusion never happened.

His previous outfit, soaked by the rain and dirtied by the mud, had been tossed aside. He changed into a new and clean one after simply wiping the dirt off his skin in the kitchen.

“I’ll go there soon! Don’t let those bastards go!”

Chairman Delaney’s angry remark from before rang in Ruediger’s mind. The elderly man was justifiedly furious upon learning of the chaos that fell on his granddaughter.

Chairman Delaney promised to head to the tiny island soon. Surely, with his entourage made of his bodyguards. Madeline might also join.

Exhaling a heavy sigh, Ruediger’s emerald eyes—now darkening from suppressed fury—glanced to the washroom. The water had ceased hitting the floor. Lariette might emerge from it anytime soon.

“Tea. She needs it.”

Ruediger slipped his phone into the pocket of his pants. He quickly made his way to the kitchen. His gaze fell on the electric kettle.

Standing opposite the kitchen cupboard, Ruediger recalled the panic that overtook his mind once he discovered Lariette’s disappearance. He tried looking inside the trashed cabin, only to find nothing.

Ruediger only noticed the electric kettle being plugged in. Without a doubt, Lariette was heating the water when the two men suddenly appeared.

Who were they?

Too immersed in his thoughts, Ruediger didn’t notice Lariette walked out of the washroom. Her skin flushed from the heat while her hands, still trembling, clutched the towel hanging on her shoulders tightly.

Lariette’s steps were slow, carrying a hint of the lingering fear in her heart. She straightened her back, trying to force some calm into her shivering frame.

Seeing Ruediger standing before the kitchen counter cast a relief in Lariette’s heart. She didn’t forget how grateful and comforted she felt once he found her back in the forest.

Lariette parted her lips, calling Ruediger. Her voice was still hoarse from being in the cold earlier.

“…Eddy.”

Blinking, Ruediger abruptly swiveled his head toward Lariette’s voice. His brows raised slightly as if he was surprised by something before his expression eased in the next second.

“Lettie.”

Ruediger rushed to Lariette, his voice had a slight edge to it. Carefully holding both sides of her arms, he looked at her from head to toe.

Lariette’s face was slightly pale under the heat flush caused by the shower. Ruediger noticed the gloss glazing her eyes, either from her previous crying or her crying again under the shower.

Droplets of water dripped from Lariette’s hair, still damp from the shower. Feeling his heart constricted with pain, Ruediger refrained from sighing.

“Sit down,” Ruediger curved his lips up, forcing himself to smile, “Let me dry your hair. Your cuts need to be treated too.”

“…okay.”

Lariette nodded once, her movement lacking vigor. The chill from being exposed to the rain still clung to her skin despite having a hot shower.

Ruediger slowly led Lariette to one of the bedrooms. He thought letting her stay in the living room might be a bad idea.

“Wait here. I’ll get the first-aid kit. Oh, your hot drink too.”

Lariette smiled faintly as she watched Ruediger hurrying out of the bedroom.

Feeling a fresh wave of emotions hit the shore of her heart, she unconsciously slumped her shoulders before hugging herself tight.

Just a moment ago… She ran for her life.

Now, she was back to safety.

Chewing her lower lip, Lariette blankly stared at the floor. She hadn’t moved even when Ruediger returned with a tray of hot tea, some food and a first-aid kit.

“Lettie?”

Ruediger quietly put the tray on the bedside table. His voice carried tremors he tried to hide as his eyes took in the defeated look on Lariette’s face.

“…”

Lariette tilted up her head, her reddened eyes colliding with Ruediger’s, seeing concern in them.

Ruediger lowered himself to the edge of the bed, sitting next to Lariette. Hesitating, he asked, his voice a low murmur “I wonder… what do you say if I give you a hug now?”

Lariette blinked. Her blank mind took a moment longer to register Ruediger’s words.

“…can I?”

The clear trace of fear in Lariette’s voice sank Ruediger’s heart. Smiling bitterly, he reached out for her, bringing her shivering frame into his arms.