Heiress' Househusband is a Secret Billionaire-Chapter 338: He’s Finally Happier Than Ever

Lariette might be an ordinary teacher who knew almost nothing about the corporate world, but she knew there was something only Ruediger could benefit Vincent and Chairman Alvord.

His close friendship with Nathaniel.

Many investors had pulled out from Alvord Corporation, thus Chairman Alvord was desperate to save his company and his position. Faulkner Investment might be the solution he was looking for.

And realizing that only burned Lariette’s fury further, the fire crackling and flaming high like the bonfire back then.

How dare they!

How dare they blatantly try to use him for their own advantage!

Lariette clenched her fists hard, her nails digging deep into her palms. She watched Vincent stand up slowly, trying to defend himself.

"I didn’t come to use him. I came because I hoped that maybe he’d listen. This isn’t just about business. It’s about our survival."

Seething in anger, Lariette shot back, her voice dangerously low, "Survival? Why did your damn father didn’t think of that when he blamed Ruediger, a mere ten-year-old, for his mother’s death?"

"Lariette, we..."

Vincent’s pleading voice fell on deaf ears. Lariette stood up, eyes blazing with fury.

"He wouldn’t ever survive if not for Aunt Felicia and Maddie, and you think you have the right to say you need him to survive?! That’s bullshit!"

"...I was eight," Vincent lowered his gaze, he looked gutted, "I didn’t understand what happened. Father... he was angry with him, then he was suddenly gone."

Lariette shook her head, tears stinging her eyes, "That doesn’t excuse anything. Twenty years! Where were you? Where was your father? He can live on his own now so stop bothering him!"

Driven by her rage, Lariette snapped, not caring about the fact she was in school. Each of her words rang loudly in the guest room, coated with her wrath.

Without waiting for Vincent to come up with other excuses, Lariette rushed to the door and opened it wide. Her chest rose and fell rapidly, breathing ragged.

"Leave. Ruediger doesn’t need anything from you and your family has no right to ask anything of him."

"We..."

"He’s finally happy," Lariette cut Vincent off, "Happier than ever. Like hell I’d let you ruin it."

Vincent lingered for a moment. Guilt flickered in his eyes, and something else as Lariette’s outburst left him defeated. Then, he finally stood up and stepped past her without another word.

As Vincent disappeared down the hallway, Lariette stood there, hand shaking on the handle and heart pounding with fury. In no time, his footsteps faded entirely.

’Oh... Eddy...’

Closing the door, Lariette pressed her back on the panel, locking herself inside the guest room. She bit back a sob as silent tears streamed down her face.

Only last night did Ruediger reveal the scars he had been carrying since he was ten. And today Vincent abruptly appeared with the sole intention of using him for the Alvord family’s benefits.

Lariette blinked, slowed and dazed before she rubbed her teary eyes. Feeling the lump in her throat, she coughed a few times. Her face was quite a mess.

Vincent’s words from earlier echoed in Lariette’s mind. Dread tugged her heart as she recalled him saying that he had been trying to reach Ruediger, but failed so far.

Lariette didn’t know what kind of means Vincent used to contact Ruediger. She was also unsure whether he was aware of what his estranged younger brother was doing.

Did he know? And was this the reason his nightmare haunted him that night?

’I need to talk to him. I should... I should tell him too. If I hide it and he knows later... I’ll just hurt him more, right?’

Lariette’s first instinct was to hide Vincent’s sudden appearance at school today, but the thought of doing so plagued her conscience. She couldn’t bear to disappoint him even though she tried to justify it was for his own good.

’I better wash my face. My class will start soon.’

Rubbing her damp face, Lariette exhaled a long, heavy sigh. She quickly checked herself using a compact mirror, afraid of scaring someone if she bumped into any on her way to the restroom.

Lariette was exasperated. Her chest was still tight, and no matter how deeply she breathed or how many times she coughed, the lump in her throat refused to dissolve.

’Remember where you are, Lari. You surely don’t want to cry in front of your students.’

Shaking her head, Lariette stepped out of the guest room, the door clicking shut behind her. Her steps were brisk, but her hands trembled as she gripped the sleeves of her cardigan.

She couldn’t afford to cry again. Her next class would begin in ten minutes.

The hallway was quiet, save for the distant hum of conversations and the clack of shoes on the floor. Lariette quickened her pace as she made her way toward the nearest staff restroom.

But just before she could turn the corner, she almost collided with someone.

"Oh!"

Lariette took a startled step back, her eyes widening. Mr. Eastwood appeared before her, holding a stack of thin folders.

"Miss Elsher?" Mr. Eastwood was calm, then his brows furrowing in immediate concern, "Hey, are you alright? Your eyes... were you crying?"

Lariette froze for a heartbeat, trying to compose herself. She could never talk about Vincent to anyone here.

Despite that, the older man’s kind and steady gaze made it impossible just to brush his concern past with a polite excuse.

Lariette forced a small smile, "I’m okay. Something... just happened."

Mr. Eastwood shifted the folders under one arm, freeing a hand to pat Lariette’s shoulder. His eyes narrowed, "Did someone say something to you? Was it... the man who just left?"

Lariette’s composure nearly cracked again. She didn’t expect Mr. Eastwood to see Vincent leaving.

"It’s... complicated."

Not pressing Lariette further, Mr. Eastwood nodded with understanding, "Okay. But if you ever need to talk, or even just sit and not say a word, I’m around."

Lariette smiled, "Thank you. I have to go now. My class will start soon."

"Go on. But if you need it, I can cover the first few minutes."

Lariette hesitated, then gave Mr. Eastwood a soft, grateful look before slipping past him. She didn’t notice the older man watching her with a thoughtful frown.

Visit freewe𝑏nov(e)l.𝗰𝐨𝐦 for the 𝑏est n𝘰vel reading experience