Nathaniel was the CEO of Faulkner Investnt. He spent most of his life at the office or ho, only socializing when needed at the banquets or events he was invited to.
More often than not, Nathaniel sent his assistant, Fabian ndez as his representative.
Ruediger and Nathaniel's friendship began more than a decade ago when both of them still lived abroad. Circumstances led them to one another and the obstacles they faced only deepened their bond.
Ruediger's return to their holand, Velondia more than five years ago was due to Nathaniel instead of himself. His friend geared up on a revenge sche against his own paternal family.
Nathaniel succeeded but, he lost the love of his life.
Ruediger quietly watched Nathaniel pluck the lavenders. The sun glimred on his dark hair. Having known him for this long, he knew what his friend wanted to do.
"Get inside. Stay for dinner," uttered Nathaniel without looking at Ruediger.
"Yeah."
As the descending sun sprinkled a golden glow on their backs, Ruediger followed Nathaniel inside the manor. His friend brought along the harvested lavender for a vase.
Walking down the hallway, Ruediger had already familiarized himself with the manor. Despite being huge, only Nathaniel and Tristan lived here.
"Tristan's cooking now, I think," said Nathaniel, his eyes drifting in the direction of the kitchen, "You can help him if you want. That boy will be happy."
"Just say that you wanna get a free labor out of ."
Ruediger shrugged, throwing Nathaniel a side look. His friend simply laughed.
"Oh, Maddie and Mr. Turner will witness your contract signing, en?"
Nathaniel's question earned a nod from Ruediger, "Yeah. Mr. Turner will et us at the courthouse."
Mr. Turner was an attorney working for Madeline's mother, including being under Ruediger. The middle-aged man was renowned for his efficiency and loyalty.
"Well, I should send you a congratulatory bouquet later."
Ruediger scoffed, "Nah, I expect a more expensive gift. You should pity this poor ."
Nathaniel rolled his eyes, "You can pretend to be poor in front of others but not , Mr. Billionire."
"Jerk."
Leaving Nathaniel alone, Ruediger headed to the kitchen. His steps remained steady yet relaxed. Putting both hands into his pants pockets, he quietly cast his eyes on the hallway.
Ruediger paused mid-way, his erald eyes looking at the frad photos on the wall. He stared at the much younger Nathaniel whose expression conveyed his happiness.
Nathaniel was not alone. A beautiful blond lady with warm green eyes was by his side. Her countenance shared a similar glow as the ebony-haired man.
Elsie Clark, the only woman in Nathaniel's heart – even until now.
Years had passed yet, her traces remained as if she had never left his life.
"I can only wish you the best, my friend. Don't be like ."
Nathaniel's words from earlier echoed in Ruediger's mind. His voice tinged with regrets and longing for the one who left.
'Stupid. You should try looking for her if you still miss her.'
Ruediger exhaled a sigh, feeling sorry for his friend.
Despite thinking that, Ruediger understood the situation was far from easy for Nathaniel. He also sympathized with Elsie who had to flee for her life back then.
Resuming his steps, Ruediger left the wall. Alluring scents wafted in the air, traveling far from the kitchen.
Ruediger stepped inside, seeing Tristan pushing a tray inside the oven. The young man hadn't noticed his appearance.
Tristan put the ingredients for tonight's dinner on the kitchen island. Ruediger saw uncut silky tofu, a few types of vegetables and so other spices.
Knocking on the kitchen island, Ruediger asked, "Tristan, need so help?"
"Oh! Mr. Rudy!" Tristan turned to look at Ruediger, his face beaming with a smile, "Hehe, I don't mind so help."
Tristan was almost one decade younger than Ruediger. The young man's parents worked for Chairman Faulkner, Nathaniel's adoptive father. They had known each other for years.
Ruediger swiftly tied the apron over his shirt before asking for the instructions. This was not the first ti he cooked alongside Tristan.
While Nathaniel was busy with his own stuff, Ruediger and Tristan sweated themselves battling in the kitchen.
The sound of sizzling pans and knives chopping echoed in the air, the backdrop of their little chat and laughter. After one hour, everything was served on the dining table.
Ruediger glanced at the freshly plucked lavender inside the vase in the middle of the table. Smiling in helplessness, he went looking for Nathaniel.
"...no need to sympathize with them. They screwed up."
Nathaniel's low voice reached Ruediger as he walked inside the lounge, seeing his friend standing opposite the glass panel doors. The forr looked annoyed as if the caller delivered unpleasant news to him.
"I expect answers this Friday. Yes, at noon. Tell Chairman Schuman, his son's appearance is non-negotiable."
The na piqued Ruediger's interest. Curling the right side of his lips, he couldn't help but think of Damien's pitiful state when he got cornered at the hospital alley last week.
"You'll et them on the day I register my marriage?" asked Ruediger once Nathaniel ended the call, his tone hinting at amusent, "Seems like he'll be a wreck before the family dinner."
Nathaniel scoffed, his brown eyes glinting in mischief, "Isn't it the most favorable state for you? But, this ans he'll be more desperate about getting her back."
"He can try," Ruediger smiled yet, only frost flickered in his erald eyes, "He won't ever succeed."
Faulkner Investnt was a major investor in a few of Schuman Group's projects. What started as a way to pressure them due to Damien's misbehavior turned out to be sothing more.
Nathaniel's team found that Damien himself misused certain funds. He swiftly issued warnings to Chairman Schuman and told him not to bail his incompetent son out.
"Lettie said that trash will surely attend that dinner," said Ruediger without moving from his spot, recalling Lariette's words, "On the sa day he should be kneeling in front of you."
"I'll pressure him to wreck him enough before that dinner," Nathaniel slipped the phone into his pants pocket. Arching his brows, he uttered, "Go and flaunt your marriage certificate in front of the fool."
Ruediger chuckled. He couldn't help but wish Friday would co sooner.
But, first, dress shopping ti.
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