Heiress' Househusband is a Secret Billionaire - Chapter 99

Chapter 99: His Version of the Ordeal
Lariette eventually fell asleep half an hour later.

The soothing melody and the heavenly voice of the man wrapped Lariette around like a warm blanket. Her eyelids grew heavier as the time kept ticking.

“…en.”

Lariette didn’t struggle to stay awake. As her head tilted on the pillow, she slowly drifted to sleep. Her breathing slowed, seemingly in sync with the ballad sung by the man.

“Sleep well, Lettie.”

Seeing that Lariette had fallen asleep, Ruediger carefully pulled the blanket up to the base of her neck. He breathed out in relief at the sight of her features relaxing as she slept.

‘I hope you won’t get any nightmares.’

That was one of Ruediger’s concerns. Hopefully, Lariette wouldn’t replay the terrifying moment of being chased by the two trash during her slumber.

Hesitating, Ruediger slowly reached one hand to Lariette’s forehead. His fingertips faintly grazed over her bangs, seeing the light flutter of her eyelashes.

‘I should go now. They’re waiting for me.’

Ruediger reluctantly retracted his hand away from lingering above Lariette’s forehead. He still remembered that Chairman Delaney wanted to meet him once she slept.

Ruediger switched off the TV and drew the curtain in before walking out of the bedroom, his footsteps were faint.

Walking down the hallway, Ruediger headed to one of the private rooms in the villa, used by Chairman Delaney as his office. The elderly man and Madeline were already waiting for him there.

“How’s Lari?” Madeline unconsciously straightened her back once she saw Ruediger, “Is she okay?”

“Better than before. She’s asleep now,” replied Ruediger with a smile, understanding how concerned Madeline was with Lariette.

“That’s good, that’s good,” Chairman Delaney let out a suppressed sigh, repeating his words. His exhausted countenance reflected his weary heart.

Ruediger sank into a plush chair opposite Madeline, Chairman Delaney sitting at the head of the seating area. His eyes assessed the concerned looks shown by his cousin and the elderly man.

“Grandpa, you want me to explain more about what happened, don’t you?”

Breaking the momentary silence, Ruediger’s question mirrored the curiosity in Chairman Delaney’s heart. Madeline also thought the same.

“Yes. You haven’t told me everything, right?” Chairman Delaney nodded his head, his eyes widening slightly, “Please. If you have any suspicions about what happened, tell me too.”

Ruediger indeed hadn’t told everything to Chairman Delaney yet when he called the latter.

He simply said Lariette was attacked in the cabin when he was away checking the boat. He didn’t forget to reassure the elderly man that she was already safe.

Chairman Delaney also didn’t pressure Ruediger to explain everything during the phone call. He knew he should make haste to get to the isle for Lariette’s sake.

“Rudy, hasn’t Lari told you her version of the event?” Madeline chimed in, a frown forming on her forehead, “What actually happened?”

Madeline wanted to ask Lariette directly but, she knew the timing was not right. Her friend might look calm on the surface yet, she might actually be shaken inwardly from the mess.

Nodding slightly, Ruediger’s previously mild expression tightened. He couldn’t help but feel disturbed as the events from this afternoon were replayed in his mind.

“Lettie told me already. I’ll start with what I heard from her.”

Chairman Delaney and Madeline nodded in sync, sharing the same sentiment. Ruediger forced himself to smile, hoping to alleviate the tension surrounding them.

“According to Lettie, she…”

The atmosphere in the room was thickened with tension as Ruediger mentioned everything Lariette told him. His words were precise yet, carrying heavy emotion.

Remaining in silence, Chairman Delaney and Madeline’s gaze remained on Ruediger. The heavy air stifled them the longer they listened to the man’s story.

Ruediger took a pause here and there, letting his words settle into Chairman Delaney and Madeline’s minds. Seeing their tensed looks arose pity in him because he felt the same.

Eventually, Ruediger told Chairman Delaney and Madeline what he experienced.

He began by saying he left to check the boat docked at the pier, only to return to the messy scene inside the unlocked cabin.

Seeing the traces of a fight was enough to alarm Ruediger.

“…I rushed to find Lettie after I dealt with the men. I found her discarded slippers along the way. The rain almost wiped off her footsteps.”

Ruediger paused, taking a moment to douse the glowing embers within him. Whenever he thought of the two scums, a blaze of fury overtook his heart.

“Then… I reached the place. I heard Lettie’s voice. I didn’t expect her to hide on the tree. She got some cuts but, thankfully no sprained or broken bones.”

Ruediger’s story ended with him bringing Lariette back to the cabin. The air inside the lounge grew more murky as Madeline and Chairman Delaney unconsciously tried to imagine the whole ordeal.

“Who are they? Are they simply tourists?” murmured Madeline, still audible to the two men.

Ruediger and Chairman Delaney had the same question. They wondered the truth behind the assailants’ identities.

Were they among the tourists? Or, did they specifically target Lariette?

Still…

Smiling softly, Ruediger reassured both his cousin and grandfather-in-law. He knew Lariette didn’t want them to be overly concerned about her either.

“I believe Mr. Declan will investigate this issue thoroughly. He’s a capable heir of the Elshers, isn’t he?”

Ruediger had heard about Declan’s brilliant talent from Nathaniel before. Even though he disliked how uncaring Declan was for Lariette, he could tell the man was slowly changing for the better.

“He is. He’s indeed competent,” Chairman Delaney nodded. He loosened his grip on the cane as he recalled how sharp Declan was, “He won’t let the men go easily.”

“I believe we’ll get the answers soon,” Ruediger looked from Chairman Delaney to Madeline, a smile hanging on his lips, “Today was long. We should rest soon.”

“Haa… You’re right, Eddy. We should do that.”

An exhausted Chairman Delaney tried to smile but, it didn’t reach his eyes.

Ruediger felt bad for Chairman Delaney. The elderly man was caught in the mess of Stephanie’s ruined wedding yesterday, only to be dragged into the one related to Lariette today.

Hopefully, tomorrow would be kinder to them.

After Ruediger escorted Chairman Delaney to the latter’s room, he returned to the one he shared with Lariette. She was still sleeping soundly as if nothing could bother her.

Ruediger was initially happy, thinking Lariette was back to feeling at ease.

Until night came.