Standing opposite the window of his bedroom, Ruediger cast his gaze on the surrounding scenery. He pressed the phone to his ear, listening to Edmund at the end of the line.
"Boss, Mr. Alvord visited us again. As usual, he brought up a business proposal. He implied he wanted to et you though. Never give up, huh?"
A frown marred Ruediger’s forehead upon hearing the na. Edmund was referring to Vincent, his younger brother.
This was not the first ti Vincent approached Edmund, the current CEO of Edenia Avenue as well as Ruediger’s proxy. The man—Edmund Knowles—never forgot to directly report such a matter to him.
"Yeah. Too stubborn," replied Ruediger curtly, his low tone expressing his displeasure.
Vincent didn’t give up easily even though Edmund often rejected his proposal. The forr also insinuated he wished to et the mysterious chairman of Edenia Avenue, known as Mr. R[01].
The people in high society knew Mr. R held the largest shares of Edenia Avenue. They dread of eting him but, no one knew his real identity.
So said that Mr. R was a foreigner, and so claid he was a citizen. A few guessed the reclusive CEO of Faulkner Investnt also knew him because the latter was a major investor.
Nevertheless, no one managed to get even a glimpse of Mr. R during the years he manned Edenia Avenue from the shadows. Edmund, the CEO, was the only link between the enigmatic figure and the outside world.
To this date, Edenia Avenue’s ownership remained a mystery.
The luxury mall rose quickly despite being new, catching everyone off guard. It challenged the more established ones and cented its position at the top.
Vincent Alvord was among the nosy people. Little did he know the enigmatic figure he desperately wished to et was his elder brother, the one exiled from the Alvord family.
"Did he co alone this ti?" Ruediger asked after the previous pause, cold and asured. His frosty voice was a stark contrast to the warm sumr morning outside the apartnt.
"No," Edmund paused for a mont, "He brought a team with him. His lawyers and assistants. His visit was formal this ti, unlike before."
Ruediger exhaled a low sigh. He never worried about being uncovered. He had taken several solid asures to ensure the protection of his identity.
The day Ruediger was revealed as Mr. R was the sa one he decided to disclose himself. No one else would have the privilege of doing that.
"As always, turn him down. You don’t have to entertain him if you don’t want to," said Ruediger, telling Edmund to be more direct in rejecting Vincent’s approaches, "We won’t lose anything."
Edmund understood the aning behind Ruediger’s words.
Edenia Avenue, which had billions of value, wouldn’t be toppled easily by not collaborating with Alvord Corporation. Ruediger’s own stakes made him worth billions.
Ruediger didn’t need any position or shares from the Alvord Corporation. He was more than content having his own empire.
"Yes, Boss. I’ll be firr if he cos again," Edmund stated, agreeing with Ruediger’s view, "Before I forget, please check your work e-mail. I’ve sent the new report."
"After I finished baking," replied Ruediger swiftly. Raising his brows, he added, "Don’t forget what’s my new role now, Edmund."
Ruediger laughed faintly once he heard Edmund groaning. The latter mumbled, "Yes, yes. The journalists would have a field day if they knew Mr. R is now a househusband."
Edmund knew Ruediger recently got married but, the forr wasn’t aware of Lariette’s identity yet.
"If you dare," Ruediger shrugged. Turning around, he headed to the door, "Anyway, keep an eye on him. I’ll et you next week."
"Ah, yes," Edmund blurted, suddenly rembering sothing, "You’ll go on a trip with my new boss madam this week right? Have fun, Boss."
Ruediger humd softly, not saying anything. He recalled when he and Lariette left the lake park two days ago. She brought up her wish to visit her grandmother’s grave.
"I thought about it when I was still in the hospital. It was quite hectic so I don’t have ti for it yet."
"Sure, Lettie. How about we go there next Thursday? Just in ti before the sumr break ends."
Lariette’s face bead as soon as Ruediger suggested that. She questioned about his work but, he quickly set his worries aside.
Thus, it was decided they would be on a trip to Moonville Village this Thursday. They planned to head out as early as seven in the morning.
Ending the call, Ruediger slipped the phone into the pocket of his sweatpants. He threw all the thoughts about Vincent’s disturbances to the back of his mind.
Ruediger walked out of the bedroom, heading back to the kitchen. The pie-making ingredients and equipnt were all waiting for him.
Ruediger noticed Lariette was still talking to her colleagues. Her voice was faint, slipping out of the tiny gap of the closed door.
’I better hurry.’
Smiling to himself, Ruediger couldn’t wait to present a beautiful and delicious blueberry walnut pie to Lariette soon. He got the idea from the recipe website he often frequented.
Ruediger stood before the kitchen countertop, quickly yet precisely peeling and grating the small beetroot. The deep crimson juice left stains on his palms.
"Beet juice... done."
Ruediger smiled seeing the juice filled up a glass. He would use it to infuse a dough later. After washing his hands, he reached for the large mixing bowl.
Ruediger made two separate doughs. One was regular while the other took on the shade of pinkish purple from the beet juice.
Ruediger had just stored the doughs inside the fridge, waiting for them to rest when familiar footsteps stepped inside the kitchen.
"Eddy! What are you doing?"
Lariette’s cheery voice turned Ruediger’s head to her. It seed like her online eting had just concluded.
Raising his brows, Ruediger asked, "Wanna see bake? I’m going to make a blueberry walnut pie."
"Sure!"
Lariette’s excitent lured laughter out of Ruediger’s lips. He was more than happy to show how he crafted the pie to her.
This one would be very special.
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Reference:
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