In the afternoon, the day had turned colder with a sharp bite in the air. The passing breeze rattled the almost bare branches living in the school courtyard.
Unlike how bright the sky was in the morning, it had turned gray with less hint of sunshine. During recess earlier, most students stayed in the building instead of having lunch or playing outdoors.
Lariette rubbed her palms together as she walked back from the library. She taught a class there instead of in the classroom. The cold seeped into her bones and made her shudder.
’I want so hot soup. What will Eddy make for dinner?’
During lunch, Ruediger sent Lariette a ssage, asking if there was anything she wanted for dinner. She simply told him to surprise her with any yummy hot soup. He replied saying he would take up the challenge.
A tiny smile blood on Lariette’s lips as she thought of Ruediger. From the mont he woke her up this morning, to having breakfast together and walking her to school, he seed to be in a great mood.
The shadows of the nightmare two nights ago no longer darkened his countenance and spirit.
"Lariette. There you are."
Lariette had just reached the stairwell when a staff mber, Mrs. Turner stopped her. The middle-aged lady was among one of the longest-serving staff in this school.
"Hello, Mrs. Turner," Lariette greeted the older lady politely as she paused her steps, "Were you looking for ?"
"Yes, but only just now. Soone’s waiting for you in the guest room. He just arrived less than ten minutes ago."
Lariette blinked, "Who is it?"
Mrs. Turner offered a vague smile, "He said he’s your family."
"...family?"
An odd chill ghosted down Lariette’s back, surprised by Mrs. Turner’s words. She murmured a polite acknowledgnt and made her way down the hallway, heading to the guest room.
An important guest?
Her family?
Who?
For sure, the guest wouldn’t be her grandfather. Then, Declan? Or Alaric?
Frowning, Lariette sensed sothing about this felt off. She wondered who the guest was, more so when he ntioned he was family.
Aside from bumping into Declan a few weeks ago, Lariette hadn’t t any of the Elsher family mbers. She lived quietly and in peace after the disaster of a wedding caused by Stephanie months ago.
Fortunately, none of them dared to ss with her anymore, not even the unhinged Stephanie.
Then, who?
Who was the guest?
Lariette stopped before the door of the guest room, her heart pounded quickly. Inhaling a deep breath, she reached for the handle and opened the door cautiously.
Then, she froze. In the next second, her heart dropped.
All the nas that popped into her mind just now disappeared once she saw the man sitting on the couch.
Instead of any of the Elsher family mbers, it was Vincent Alvord. He sat with legs crossed and hands clasped together. His dark overcoat draped elegantly over his tall fra, hair neatly styled and expression composed.
Vincent stood imdiately, trying to appear cordial, "Miss Elsher."
Lariette didn’t move, her face tensed, "What are you doing here?"
Vincent noticed how guarded Lariette was before him. He spoke again, his voice almost gentle, "I’m sorry for showing up unannounced. I know this is a surprise. And our first eting before wasn’t exactly pleasant."
Lariette stayed rooted on the sa spot, her face unreadable, "That doesn’t answer my question, Mr. Alvord. What are you doing here?"
Months had passed, but Lariette still rembered the first ti she saw Vincent, the current heir of the Alvord family[01]. To say the eting was upsetting was an understatent.
Lariette believed whatever Vincent’s reason to co here was, it would only bring trouble. The news of Chairman Alvord’s bribery scandal fleeted across her mind.
Vincent clenched his hands, then sighed. Staring at Lariette, he said, "Are you sure you want to continue talking like this? People can hear us."
Hesitated, Lariette tightened her grip on the door handle. No one walked past the guest room now, but soone might do it soon.
"Fine."
Lariette dragged herself to the couch before Vincent. Once she sat down, she said, "Don’t waste my ti. And don’t try anything funny."
Vincent swallowed, thinking how unapproachable Lariette was. Knowing he better not waste his own ti, he said, "I was hoping to speak to Ruediger. I tried to contact him, but... I couldn’t reach him. I had no choice but to co and find you."
Lariette’s expression hardened, "You had no choice? Is that what you’re going with? And what are you doing? Trying to bother him again?"
Vincent sighed, never expecting Lariette to shoot him down like that. Her anger was palpable, fury blazing in her eyes.
"Please, I just need to talk to him. It’s important."
Lariette rolled her eyes, "You think Ruediger will want anything to do with you? With your family? After what you did to him?"
Vincent’s expression tightened, desperate to llow the tension, "I know... he must hate us. I didn’t co to justify anything. I ca because I need his help."
As if she had just heard the world’s biggest and distasteful joke, Lariette laughed bitterly, "So, you admit it. You need him now after all these years. How convenient."
Vincent shook his head, he looked pained, "It’s not like that."
"Then what is it like?" Lariette’s voice rose, tinged with the hurt she felt for Ruediger, her brows furrowing, "You think you can waltz in here and use him because your father is drowning in a scandal?"
Vincent was stunned for a mont. Lariette pressed on, her tone harsher.
"It’s all over the news. Chairman Alvord and the bribery case. And now you show up, trying to talk to Ruediger... because of his connection to Nathaniel, right?"
Vincent was silent, never expecting Lariette to hit the mark. His jaw clenched, hands clasping together.
"Yes, I am right," Lariette said, voice trembling with restrained anger, "You know what? You’re beyond cruel and shaless."
Now that they were in trouble, they ca crawling back to the one they abandoned, conveniently forgetting how much their victim had suffered.
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Reference:
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