A faint hint of helplessness lingered on Chairman Delaney's curling lips. He stretched out a hand, patting Lariette's shoulder gently. The wrinkles on his face softened as he gazed at his granddaughter.

Her countenance clearly displayed her reluctance as gloom clouded her usually clear eyes. The shadows cast by her bangs slightly obscured her face.

"Then, I'll tell your brother to drop the investigation. You're right. It happened over twenty years ago. The truth no longer matters."

In truth, Chairman Delaney actually wondered if Declan's assumptions were correct. But, at the same time, he didn't want to burden the unwilling Lariette with this matter.

After all, she was the main party involved.

Who were they to force her if she refused?

The unexpected switch had already changed her life trajectory. It was only by a stroke of luck that they learned about her existence ten years ago.

Ruediger glanced at Lariette, seeing the corners of her lips raised faintly. Her gaze drifted to him for a moment before she focused back on Chairman Delaney.

Lariette said, "It's fine, Grandpa. I'll contact Dec myself. No need to worry about this issue."

Chairman Delaney nodded, not wanting to push her further, "Alright. I also think it's better if you talk to him yourself. If you do have questions, don't hesitate to ask."

"I'll do that."

After the brief episode, Lariette changed the subject, to which Chairman Delaney swiftly followed along. Ruediger also joined their conversation, hoping to alleviate the lingering tension in the air.

At nine, Lariette and Ruediger sent Chairman Delaney to his bedroom. The elderly man complained about being unable to stay awake longer. Once again, he lamented his younger days.

"Grandpa, good night. Sleep well," Lariette hugged Chairman Delaney and patted his back.

"Don't sneak around at night," Ruediger grinned, one brow arching, "Have a good rest. I'll make some breakfast for you."

"Hahaha! This old man has no energy to sneak around," Chairman Delaney laughed jovially, "Alright, alright. You youngsters leave now. See you guys tomorrow. Good night."

Lariette and Ruediger quietly left. They glanced at Chairman Delaney before finally stepping out of the bedroom. The door was closed with a soft click.

At this hour, the manor was quieter than before. Lariette and Ruediger headed upstairs, their footsteps echoing on the polished marble. The hanging lamps above glowed, projecting their shadows on the floor.

Ruediger lowered his gaze, looking at the quiet Lariette. He lifted one hand, placing his arm across her back. The touch lured her to lift her chin, and their eyes met.

"Thinking about what Grandpa has just told you?" he asked softly, the gentle tone mirroring the tenderness in his gaze, "Are you worried about anything?"

Lariette blinked, and then nodded. She smiled sheepishly, "I said I don't care, but now... I'm not sure. Mm... Let's go to our room first."

"Okay."

In a few minutes, the pair reached the bedroom. Lariette stepped inside first, and then followed by Ruediger, who closed the door. She sat on the edge of the bed, her gaze lowered to the floor.

Smiling faintly, Ruediger sat beside Lariette. With one palm on her back, he traced slow circles. He exhaled a sigh before breaking the silence.

"Lettie, actually, Grandpa told me about this when you napped this afternoon."

"...what?"

Startled, Lariette looked up, her widened eyes staring at Ruediger's calm gaze. Delayed by her confusion, only later did she regain her composure.

"Did you say... Grandpa told you when I napped? He asked you to meet him without me?"

Lariette took quite a long nap. She didn't expect that Ruediger was away seeing her grandfather during that time.

When she woke up in an hour, he was on the bed, reading a book while leaning on the headboard. She didn't notice anything was amiss.

If he didn't mention this, she wouldn't ever know.

Ruediger nodded, "He was worried. He wondered whether to tell you or not. Then, I told him we shouldn't hide this matter. It's related to you, after all."

When Ruediger first went to Chairman Delaney's room this afternoon, he never foresaw hearing such a thing. He didn't expect that Declan was currently re-investigating the issue regarding the switch.

Chairman Delaney was full of worries as he brought up the decades-old matter. After listening to the former, Ruediger persuaded him to come clean to Lariette instead of hiding it.

Then, the elderly man agreed to bring it up tonight after dinner.

After listening to Ruediger, Lariette expelled another sigh. Despite her answer in the greenhouse, her mood was quite complicated at this moment.

"Eddy... I'm not sure. The truth doesn't... shouldn't matter anymore, but..." Lariette paused, doubt flickering in her eyes, "Why do I feel like... it still matters to me?"

When she was younger, she did think about the switch, allowing what-ifs take over her mind. Then, she gradually stopped fixating on it because to her, it wouldn't give her back the years she had lost.

But the sudden mention of this issue seemed to trigger something deeply buried within her.

The calm facade she presented earlier cracked, revealing traces of her uncertainty. She tried to hold it when her grandfather was still present earlier, until she was left alone with her beloved.

"Lettie."

Unsure what he should say, Ruediger pulled Lariette into his embrace. She quickly nestled her face in the crook of his neck. Her arms encircled him as she sought his warmth.

Ruediger ran his fingers through Lariette's silky strands. His heart went out to her as he felt her slightly trembling in his arms.

"Lettie, you don't have to make any decision yet," he whispered, soft yet brimming with his care, "Take some time to think. Either to pursue it or tell Dec to stop. Don't be so hard on yourself, sweetheart."

Lariette didn't immediately respond. She listened to his steady heartbeat, eventually finding more comfort.

This issue came so suddenly, but it was true that she shouldn't lose her composure because of it. Taking more time to weigh everything would be more beneficial to her.

"Okay. I'll do that," she said, voice muffled against his chest.

Ruediger tightened his arms around her. His lips grazed her hair, hoping to soothe the lingering uncertainty in her heart.