Heiress' Househusband is a Secret Billionaire
Chapter 329: You Didn’t Get Dumped?

Chapter 329: You Didn’t Get Dumped?

Lariette and Ruediger arrived at Suit & Tie around a quarter before five. The evening light had just begun to soften, casting a warm golden hue over the city streets and shops. The daytime was longer here compared to the north.

Being the weekend, most city dwellers were preoccupied with enjoying their free time. But some were still busy hustling for their lives.

As the pair emerged from the cab, the cozy exterior of Madeline’s butler cafe greeted them, painted in soft cream.

Ivy climbed the brick walls of the charming two-story building while the lanterns flickered gently beside the entrance and the garden surrounding the cafe.

Smiling at Lariette, Ruediger smoothened her slightly tousled locks due to the breeze. He asked her teasingly, "Are you hungry or hangry?"

"Hungry," Lariette chirped, then added cheekily, "I’ll be hangry if we don’t get inside quickly tho. The food’s calling for me."

Laughing, Ruediger squeezed Lariette’s cheek. She responded by swatting his arm away, also laughing alongside him.

The bell above the door chimed softly as Lariette and Ruediger entered. Inside, the air was rich with the scent of freshly baked bread, roasted squash and herbs. They also smelled coffee.

The interior was warm and elegant with soft candlelight, dark wood paneling and Madeline’s exquisite taste in interior design. A mellow jazz hummed in the background.

"Lari! Rudy!"

Madeline appeared almost instantly, her eyes lighting up upon seeing her best friend and cousin appearing together. She hurried over with open arms, then hugged Lariette.

"Hey! Why didn’t you tell me you were coming today? I thought you guys were still in the north. Did you travel back early?"

"We returned by flight," Lariette said, smiling as they embraced, "We left Eddy’s truck behind. Nothing happened to the truck tho. We just wanted to arrive earlier."

Madeline laughed, then turned to Ruediger. She nudged her cousin’s arm, "You didn’t get dumped in the north, good."

Rolling his eyes, Ruediger lightly punched Madeline’s arm, "I’m too good to be dumped, okay? Lettie said I’m the finest specimen for her."

Lariette chuckled as she watched the two cousins bantering. Then, Madeline beckoned them toward the hallway, leading to the private dining rooms.

"Come on, you two look starving. Let’s get yourselves fed. I don’t wanna contribute to a marital crisis because you both are hungry."

"Oh, shut up," Lariette slapped Madeline’s back, eliciting more laughter from her friend.

To Lariette’s delight, Madeline brought her and Ruediger to the Tulip Room. It was the exact private dining room where she met him after his brief appearance at the hospital[01].

"Hehe, do you remember this room?" Madeline raised her brows.

Lariette’s cheeks flushed, but she still nodded. Then, she darted her eyes to Ruediger who wore a meaningful smile. He also shared the same thoughts as her.

Lariette and Ruediger sat across the table with Madeline beside the former. Not long after they sat, one of the waiters dressed in a neat butler suit appeared.

"Anything you crave?" Madeline asked Lariette, then her eyes drifting to Ruediger, "We have autumn-based dishes too."

Lariette and Ruediger placed their order. Once the butler left, Madeline swept them up for a chat.

"How was your hometown, Lari? Did you two have fun? Did my cousin treat you well? Tell me if he didn’t. I’ll sort him out."

Ruediger shot Madeline a look which she ignored. Not even a minute passed when she suddenly yelped and then shot daggers at him.

"Don’t kick me!"

Shrugging, Ruediger replied nonchalantly, "I didn’t. Maybe your cafe has a ghost or something."

Madeline huffed, turning to Lariette once again. She grumbled, "Just ignore the old man. So, how was your trip?"

"Excuse me?" Ruediger spoke in mock offense, "I’m just four years older than you two. Not that old."

Madeline rolled her eyes, pretending not to hear Ruediger. Lariette smiled in helplessness, thinking how chaotic their house was when they lived together from their childhood to young adolescence.

"The trip was wonderful," Lariette said, voice lacing with laughter, "We enjoyed the harvest festival. I got to show Eddy the village. Have you seen the horse cart photos? The festival offered the service."

As Lariette shared the three-day and two-night trip in Moonville, Madeline and Ruediger ceased their bantering. The conversation drifted from the countryside’s harvest festival to cafe gossip and the changing seasons.

"Maddie, any events planned for winter? You’ll have one for Christmas at least, don’t you?"

"We have two scheduled. One for Christmas, the other before that," Madeline grinned, eager to share the cafe event plans, "You know, we can..."

As Madeline enthusiastically talked about the events, the butler returned with a three-tiered food cart. The alluring scent of the dishes wafted in the air.

A warm pumpkin soup with a swirl of sour cream and toasted seeds, accompanied by herb focaccia. Then pumpkin ravioli with brown butter and sage, followed by rosemary lamb with root vegetables.

"Dig in! Don’t let them go cold," Madeline clapped her hands once.

Lariette and Ruediger wasted no time. Their stomachs had been calling for food. As they took bite after bite of the scrumptious dishes, they resumed chatting. The echo of their voices drowned the soft music played in the background.

Lariette mentioned she would be busy with the end of term soon before winter break began. She and her colleagues might have to stay until night, especially while grading exam papers.

Madeline and Ruediger teased Lariette, saying it couldn’t be helped because she was a capable teacher.

Along the way, Ruediger asked Madeline something, "Maddie, is Aunt Felicia busy? She didn’t reply to my texts as much recently."

Lariette said nothing once she heard Ruediger bring up Madeline’s mother. She knew he exchanged texts regularly with the lady who raised him like her own. At times, she greeted Felicia when he was on the phone with the older lady.

Humming, Madeline tilted her head, "I noticed that too. I think Mom’s just busier recently. My gramps told me the same."

Ruediger asked nothing anymore, thinking the reason was plausible.

But... why did he feel uneasy?

Shaking his head slightly, Ruediger reminded himself not to be paranoid. Perhaps this was the aftereffect of him being haunted by that nightmare again. It happened often in the past that he could feel sick from it.

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