Vincent Alvord.
Despite having no chance to et him yet, Lariette believed this young man was Vincent. He was the second son of Matthew Alvord and the current successor of the Alvord legacy.
The one nad the heir after Ruediger was stripped of the position.
Vincent was quite popular in high society but, not as famous as Nathaniel, Declan and Matthias.
’They look quite similar but... not much.’
The thought crossed Lariette’s mind as she quietly took in the man’s appearance.
Vincent possessed the sa crimson hair and a pair of erald eyes as Ruediger but, the similarity of their physical features ended there.
Ruediger’s looks carried a rugged charm as the strong, angular lines on his face hint at a hard edge to his expression. His overall look had a sense of raw masculinity, carrying a handso devilish look.
Vincent’s looks were more refined and polished. The softer angles on his smoother and more delicate features gave him a sophisticated and aristocratic air. His overall look exuded elegance and grace.
The brothers were around the sa towering height, with Vincent being slightly shorter than Ruediger. His hair was kept in a slick-back short style, unlike his elder brother’s long wavy locks tied into his signature bun.
’Anyway, what’s he doing here?’
Lariette darted her eyes from Vincent to Ruediger’s side profile. The tension between the brothers was palpable, thickening the night air with unspoken words and old wounds.
The chilliness of the current pressure contrasted with the warmth of the celebratory atmosphere just monts ago.
Madeline’s staff was already inside Ruediger’s truck, waiting to send him and Lariette to Lumina Spring. The young man awkwardly looked out of the windows, watching the unexpected confrontation.
"Why are you here, Vincent? I never thought you’d look for ."
The heavy silence between the brothers was finally broken by Ruediger. His words were spoken with a biting edge, a contrast to the usual llowness of his husky voice.
Ruediger narrowed his eyes. A mixture of frustration and wariness glinted in his orbs as the unresolved history between them simred beneath his calm exterior.
Vincent stepped forward, appearing unfazed by Ruediger’s tone. The bright lights that were hung all around the cafe showered on him, clearly showing his unyielding countenance.
"I heard my elder brother has gotten married to soone," uttered Vincent, his voice low as he shifted his gaze from Ruediger to Lariette, "Seems like this is my new sister-in-law."
Vincent raised his right hand, intending to greet Lariette by shaking hands.
Tensing up, a frown marred Lariette’s forehead as her eyes lingered on Vincent’s offer for a hand shake. She didn’t hide how cautious she was facing this man for the first ti.
"Oh, my new sister-in-law is wary of ," was what Vincent said after Lariette showing no sign of returning the gesture. He retracted his hand.
Ruediger was displeased with Vincent’s action. He moved closer to Lariette, positioning himself as if to shield her from his younger brother.
"Are you here to congratulate us for our marriage?" Ruediger arched his brows, his voice still bearing frostiness, "Be quick. It’s already so late. We’re going ho."
Vincent clenched his jaw, irritated by Ruediger’s clear hositility toward him. Even after decades, the straints surrounding them never lessened.
"I’ve never knew you’re in a relationship with one of the Elsher ladies," Vincent glanced at Lariette, seemingly seizing her up and down, "A union between an Alvord and an Elsher, huh?"
The news of Ruediger being married to Lariette reached Vincent yesterday. A few of his friends ntioned it, saying they heard the newlweds appeared on a dinner hosted by the Elshers for the Silvera family.
Surprised, Vincent quickly checked the authencity of the news only to find there was nothing but only the truth.
Ruediger Alvord and Lariette Elsher were indeed a legal married couple. Even the records from the courthouse showed it.
Vincent tried looking for Ruediger but, he didn’t find his elder brother in the last known address. Then, news of Madeline throwing a party for the newlyweds reached him, leading Vincent to rush here.
"Vincent, leave."
The statent ca from Madeline instead of Ruediger. She strode forward, standing between Vincent and the newlyweds. Her irritation toward the young man was evidently clear on her face.
"Maddie, I..."
Madeline swiftly cut the rest of Vincent’s words. Her suppressed wrath was audible in her biting voice.
"Leave, freaking leave us now! You didn’t co here with a good intention so, why bother? Haven’t you just treated Rudy like he’s already dead all these years?"
Madeline’s unminced words struck a chord in Vincent’s heart. Pursing his lips, lines of indignation wrinkled on his forehead.
While Madeline and Vincent were caught in a battle of stares, Ruediger patted his cousin’s back, hoping to ease the young woman’s mind.
"Easy, Maddie. No need to care about this. We’ll be going ho first."
Ruediger didn’t want to waste his ti on Vincent despite having not seeing his younger brother for so long. Staying here longer would also draw unncessary looks to this cafe.
"...yeah, we’ll go ho now, Maddie."
Lariette finally spoke for the first ti. Giving Madeline a side hug, she whispered to her friend, telling her to get back inside the cafe.
Madeline restrained her anger, knowing Ruediger and Lariette were uncomfortable with this situation. Ignoring Vincent as if he was air, she looked at the newlyweds.
"Good night. See you guys again."
Ruediger and Lariette nodded at Madeline. Spinning on their heels, the husband and wife headed toward the navy blue truck, not acknowledging Vincent’s presence anymore.
But...
It didn’t an the young man would do the sa.
"You two barely knew one another. Why did you get married? To an abandoned Elsher heiress, no less?"
"Vincent!"
The young man ignored his cousin’s threatening voice. His erald eyes lingered on his elder brother’s back. A smirk was curved on his face upon seeing the latter halted in his tracks.
"Whoever I’m married to isn’t your concern," responded Ruediger without looking back, "Don’t bother us."
Lariette also paused from walking. Her worried gaze fell on Ruediger’s side profile. Without hesitation, she reached for his hand, linking them together.
Blinking, Ruediger slowly turned to one side, finding the concern in Lariette’s eyes. He parted his lips, wanting to say sothing, but...
Once again Vincent ruined the air.
"Are you married to her to piss our father off more? You also wanna get the assets promised to you once you’re married, don’t you?"
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