Heiress' Househusband is a Secret Billionaire - Chapter 454

Chapter 454: His Face Is Unmistakable

<.Back to an hour ago, on Ruediger’s side.>

Even though Declan told Ruediger to meet at half past two, he decided to head there early. Before he left, he covered the pot he used to make snow fungus dessert soup on the stove.

The other day, Lariette mentioned craving some of the sweet soup. She just had to reheat it once she got home after school. Ruediger most likely would return way later.

The clock on the truck’s dashboard ticked toward two as Ruediger reached the area near the Elsher Group headquarters. He checked the navigation system while looking outside before finally spotting his meeting place with Declan.

The Elsher family heir told Ruediger to wait for him at the five-star Japanese fusion restaurant nearby. The former had already reserved a private room there.

Ruediger parked the truck not far from the sleek, glass-fronted restaurant. He assumed it was just a few hundred meters from the Elsher Group.

‘Still half an hour to go.’

Ruediger glanced at his wristwatch before stepping outside. A gust of wind bit his exposed skin, carrying the faint chill of winter. He exhaled slowly while brushing a few loose strands of crimson hair behind his ear.

As he strode to the restaurant, his mind wandered to the sudden invitation.

Declan had never called Ruediger out to meet like this. This was the very first time the former had ever requested a private meeting.

Because of how serious and urgent Declan sounded over the phone just now, Ruediger agreed to meet as soon as possible. After all, this issue was related to Lariette. He couldn’t afford to waste time.

The moment Ruediger stepped into the restaurant, Mizu & Ember, the delicate scent of cedar and crisp green tea lingered in the air. A graceful hostess in an earthy green kimono approached with a warm bow.

“Good afternoon, sir. Welcome to Mizu & Ember,” she greeted softly, her voice like wind chimes in summer.

“I have a reservation under Mr. Declan Elsher. It should be at 2:30, but I came early,” Ruediger replied while unbuttoning his coat. He caught the faint hum of a koto echoing from the dining hall.

The hostess nodded before checking the sleek digital log on a tablet, “Yes, Mr. Elsher has reserved a private room at 2:30. It’s early, but we’ll accommodate you, sir. Please follow me.”

Ruediger followed the hostess through the quiet dining area to a hallway. They walked past an elegant corridor where glass panels framed a bamboo garden, illuminated by soft, golden floor lights.

When they reached one of the lacquered doors, the hostess slid it open. She welcomed him in, “You may call us if you require anything, sir.”

Ruediger gave a polite nod before stepping in, “Thank you.”

As he sat at the table for six, countless possibilities swirled in his mind.

Since over than one month ago, Declan had been the leading force in the investigation regarding the switch that tore Lariette’s life apart. Because of the huge time gap, leads had been very few and fleeting.

Ruediger couldn’t help but wonder what kind of discovery had been unearthed this time, just a few mere weeks since the early Christmas party.

At that time, Declan said he hadn’t found anything concrete. He also wanted to investigate the hospital again.

What had happened?

Ruediger waited patiently as he watched the light snowfall outside. He didn’t tell Declan that he was already here. As the clock continued ticking, he realized that it would be half past two soon.

Ruediger reached for his phone. Lariette would clock out at three. He typed out a short message to her.

[Ruediger: I’m already here. Remember to go home safely later, alright? Your snow fungus soup’s on the stove. Don’t forget to reheat it]

He smiled faintly at the thought of her. Without realizing his phone was on silent mode, he placed it face down on the table.

A few minutes later, the door slid open, revealing Declan whose expression was grave. His dark coat was buttoned to the collar, with one hand holding a briefcase.

He seemed to carry a huge weight on his shoulders, heavy enough that his composure couldn’t disguise it.

“Ruediger,” he nodded slightly.

“Declan,” Ruediger returned the same gesture. He waved at the seat across from the table.

A waiter arrived with drinks before politely excusing himself and closing the door. None of the men ordered food. For a brief moment, the air was thickened with silence.

As he leaned back, Declan clasped his hands together on the table. His voice was low and edged with weariness once he began, “I found something. You need to see it. And sorry, I don’t think we can talk about it over the phone.”

“I don’t mind,” Ruediger furrowed his brows, “But you found a new lead about the switch, hmm? I guess it’s way important than the previous ones.”

Declan nodded once. After unclasping the briefcase, he took a folder and slid it across the table, “I was surprised myself. I’d rather say it’s a major connection than a lead.”

Ruediger opened it immediately, finding a few sheets of paper and a single worn photograph. It had yellowed with age and worn at the corners.

“Is it about Alyssa Evans?”

Declan shook his head, “I’ve contacted her. She claimed she didn’t know. Do you remember what I’ve told you before? About investigating the hospital again?”

Ruediger nodded.

“So, something came up,” Declan continued, “You know that the records were incomplete, but we dug deeper this time. My people found an old registry that mentioned a midwife who handled both infants.”

Declan had already investigated the small town, old hospital before, but found mostly nothing. After reconstructing the plan, he ordered his people to investigate again.

Fortunately, it bore fruit this time.

Ruediger was quiet as he listened to Declan. His gaze swept across the sheets, and the photo was left on one side.

Declan resumed, “The midwife retired over ten years ago. She lived in a nearby village. My people went to find her after Christmas. Sadly, she couldn’t talk much due to her dementia. Her daughter and grandson were there.”

Apparently, a young man bribed the midwife to exchange the two infants. He appeared suddenly at the hospital when the heavily pregnant Samantha was admitted for an emergency labor.

The midwife’s family was in a dire state. Her husband had already passed away, and then her only son-in-law left abruptly one day because her grandson was often sick.

Out of desperation, the midwife agreed with the plan. She forcibly changed the fates of the two infants in exchange for her grandson’s health.

“Her daughter claimed someone transferred money regularly to her mother’s account after Lari’s birthdate. It went on for three years until the grandson fully recovered. And then…”

According to the daughter, she had been questioning her mother about who the generous donor was, but learned nothing until a few years ago.

Perhaps desperate to be freed from guilt, the midwife who suffered from dementia revealed the secret during rare moments of lucidity. To say the daughter and grandson were shocked was an understatement.

Declan pointed at one of the sheets, “Her daughter found the old money transfer records. All were sent from France. I thought the sender might be a third party, so I investigated him.”

The sender was the young son of an antique store owner who owned the apartment units above the shop. One of his father’s tenants often asked for his help to transfer the money.

Because the man was known for his good and gentlemanly behavior, the son agreed.

“He gave me this photo.”

Ruediger’s gaze followed where Declan was tapping at, the photo. He hadn’t seen it properly yet. After picking it up carefully, he swept his gaze over it.

And he froze.

The photo showed three men with the backdrop of the antique store. A middle-aged man who shared resemblances to the teenager by his side, and… a young man whose face was familiar to him.

Declan uttered, “He said the tenant’s name was Charles Eastwood.”

Ruediger’s breath hitched. His hand trembled as his widened eyes stared at the young man. His face was unmistakable.

It was indeed him!

I think everyone has seen this coming. I’m bad with mystery and conflict-solving, but I hope this is still acceptable 🙂