The cool autumn breeze blew through the school area, carrying the hushed whispers spoken between the students. The golden hues of the afternoon sun showered the area, casting shadows on the ground.
"Students! Don’t gather here!"
Nora took charge of the situation, trying to divert the students’ attention from Lariette, the middle-aged man and the luxury vehicle. Bill quickly helped her to disperse the children.
Lariette remained standing before the open door of the limousine. Her expression was rigid, but showing no traces of fear. She felt the chilly early autumn air blew past her.
The black limousine remained an imposing presence. Its sleek and polished surface reflecting the clear sky above.
"Miss Elsher," the middle-aged man whose na Lariette hadn’t learned, gave her a slight nod, "Please get inside."
Lariette said nothing in response. Her gaze was still on the man seated inside the limousine.
Matthew Alvord. The current chairman of Alvord Corporation, the patriarch of the Alvord family, including the biological father of Ruediger.
Even in the dim lighting of the car’s interior, Lariette couldn’t deny how imposing his aura was. Chairman Alvord’s gaze also remained on her as they were caught in a silent battle of stares.
Being in his late fifties, Chairman Alvord’s once vibrant crimson hair was now streaked with white. His erald green eyes, unlike Ruediger’s gentle one, were sharp as they assessed her from head to toe.
’This was him, huh?’
The very sa man who pushed his young son away, even stripping him of his place in the family.
Lariette didn’t falter despite feeling the weight of Chairman Alvord’s scrutiny. Inhaling softly, she finally took a step forward, sliding into the limousine.
Lariette deliberately sat across Chairman Alvord instead of the sa seat as him. The middle-aged man closed the door, sealing her from the outside.
The air inside the limousine was crisp with a hint of expensive cologne and leather. The partition was up, separating the backseat from the driver for privacy.
Chairman Alvord’s eyes were still on Lariette. His lips were pressed into a thin line as his sharpened gaze never strayed from the unfamiliar lady who held the legal title as his eldest son’s wife.
Lariette t Chairman Alvord’s eyes directly, unwavering. She promised herself that she would not cower before this man.
For a mont, silence stretched far between them, the air was thickened with unspoken words.
The limousine slowly moved away from the school area. The echoes of the tires rolling on the asphalt and the rustling leaves were muffled by the car’s insulated walls.
"Chairman Alvord."
Lariette broke the silence, her voice devoid of its usual softness and warmth. Chairman Alvord raised his brows, waiting to hear what she wanted to say.
"You shouldn’t take anywhere far."
Lariette repeated what she told the middle-aged man earlier. The limousine moved at a slow speed on the road, but still within the neighborhood area.
Chairman Alvord still said nothing. He studied Lariette with quiet intrigue as she continued speaking. Their eyes never wandered from each other’s.
"Still, if you think of harming ," Lariette paused, her lips quirked into a mocking smile, "You do know who my grandfather is, don’t you?"
Chairman Alvord’s eyes widened slightly. His shoulders shook as laughter rolled out of his mouth.
"Are you threatening , Miss Elsher?" Chairman Alvord questioned Lariette, his tone low and dangerous.
Lariette calmly said, "You should think of it as a gentle reminder. Anyway, I didn’t expect that you’d co here yourself. Are you going to ask to divorce Ruediger?"
Lariette didn’t know whether her question hit the mark or not, but that seed to be the most plausible guess. After all, she doubted Chairman Alvord ca with good intentions.
Chairman Alvord narrowed his eyes. One corner of his lips curved upward. He let out a chuckle, but it sounded oppressive instead of rry.
"Seems like my intention is very clear. Divorce him. You two barely knew each other. It won’t be a problem to you, don’t you?"
Lariette frowned upon hearing the coldness in Chairman Alvord’s voice. He didn’t even ntion Ruediger’s na.
What kind of hatred a father had toward his own flesh and blood?
’...did he hear this?’
Lariette briefly glanced at her handbag, to where her phone was kept. Unsure of what she should do, she quickly sent her live location to Ruediger before calling his number.
With everyone staring at her and the middle-aged man earlier, including the limousine, Lariette had to leave school quickly. She tried not to make a fuss, but she also had to think of her safety.
Calling Ruediger’s number was the only thing Lariette could think of earlier.
Did the call go through?
Could he hear her, albeit muffled?
Fortunately, her phone was still in the silent mode because of her previous class and eting.
Knowing that she shouldn’t stay quiet, Lariette spoke again, "Don’t waste your precious ti, Chairman Alvord. Our marriage is between ourselves. I don’t care about your feud with my father."
Lariette had never explored the ins and outs of Jonathan’s long-standing grudge with Chairman Alvord, but she heard the latter also felt the sa.
That was the reason why Lariette agreed to Ruediger’s proposal. She knew the Elsher family, especially Jonathan, wouldn’t accept their marriage.
"You’re still young, Miss Elsher," Chairman Alvord said, his voice still devoid of warmth, "Is this what young people call it? You have a rebound marriage with him because you got cheated on by the Schuman’s useless brat."
Lariette openly scoffed. It was evident that Chairman Alvord investigated her past relationship with Damien before coming to see her, albeit unwelcod.
"No matter what our marriage is, it never concerns you," Lariette shot back, "Chairman Alvord, didn’t you exile Ruediger from your life? Why does it matter what he does with his life?"
The silence inside the limousine was thick, suffocating Lariette. She barely registered that the vehicle was now parked in an area. She curled her fingers, trying to suppress her anger from spiraling.
"You have to leave him," Chairman Alvord insisted, his voice beca lower, "You’re young and intelligent, Miss Elsher. Chairman Delaney surely can find a much better match for you. Why tie yourself to a man who brings nothing but disgrace?"
"Ruediger isn’t a disgrace!" Lariette snapped, unable to hold herself back. Her chest heaved up and down, "He’s the most wonderful man I’ve ever t! He’s never a disgrace!"
Chairman Alvord exhaled sharply, evidently irritated by Lariette’s verbal attack. Pressing his lips into a thin line, he asked after a beat of silence.
"Why would you want to be with soone who killed his own mother?"
Lariette frozen. She felt the air leave her lungs.
Shock coursed through her veins, cold and sharp. Her eyes widened, she heard her pulse roared in her ears.
Killed... his own mother?
Ruediger... killed his own mother?
Lariette parted her lips, wanting to rebute Chairman Alvord, but no words ca out. The accusation and the sheer cruelty of it left her montarily frozen.
Chairman Alvord’s gaze remained on Lariette, waiting for her reaction. He didn’t know that all she could think was...
This was bullshit.
Coercing herself, Lariette spat, "No. I don’t believe you."
She wouldn’t ever believe a father who dared to say sothing like that about his own son.
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