Chapter 445: Contradictory Feelings
After the young Ruediger was saved from the kidnappers, Alyssa abruptly returned to Amberwood and stated that their family had to leave. Her hastiness had upset Mrs. Evans, especially after the danger Lariette was in.
Despite her mother’s reluctance, Alyssa revealed that she had bought a house in Moonville Village.
After several persuasions, including saying it was better for Lariette to be in a new environment, Mrs. Evans agreed.
Alyssa disappeared again for months after Mrs. Evans and Lariette settled themselves in the new cottage. Fortunately, the old lady was no stranger to most residents in Moonville.
The frequency of Alyssa’s return became even lessened until one day Mrs. Evans received a letter from abroad. The former stated that she had gotten married and most likely wouldn’t return to Velondia ever again.
Ruediger’s question echoed again in Lariette’s mind, "Did you suspect Alyssa knew from the beginning?"
To be honest, she wasn’t really sure about her suspicion. She also wondered if that woman herself did such a thing, the baby switch, to let her own child live in luxury.
Through a DNA test, the Elshers learned that Stephanie was indeed Mrs. Evan’s granddaughter. But because Samantha was afraid that Stephanie would be taken away, she refused to reach for Alyssa abroad.
Thus, Lariette’s birth certificate was altered, but Stephanie’s remained unchanged. Samantha was the mothers on both certificates.
Not once, not even once did Alyssa act like a mother to Lariette. The reasons behind her actions were unknown.
Was it simply because she had lost interest in the baby she thought she gave birth to, or was it because she knew the baby was not hers from the beginning?
Lariette had no answer.
After all, Alyssa mostly treated her like an additional family member in the small Evans family. Even when the woman was home, she had never scolded or looked at her with contempt.
Lariette exhaled, her voice tinged with helplessness. Her eyes met the man’s by her side, "Declan’s trying to contact her, right? I wonder what she’ll say."
Ruediger pressed his lips, unsure of how to respond. When Declan attended the early Christmas party at their apartment the other week, he mentioned attempting to reach Alyssa.
"Sweetheart," he reached for her hand, giving her a touch of reassurance, "The switch wasn’t accidental, but we aren’t sure who the suspect is yet. Do you have any other thoughts? Maybe what else do you wish for?"
When Declan laid out evidence that pointed to the case being premeditated, Lariette and Ruediger wondered if the culprit was one of the Elsher family’s enemies. After all, it was common for a prominent family.
Declan didn’t rule out the possibility, which was the reason why he conducted each investigation with great care. Lariette couldn’t help but think her eldest brother’s desire to unearth the truth was more than her own.
Upon hearing Ruediger’s inquiry, Lariette didn’t answer him immediately. She blinked, and stared at the man.
The low hum of the heater and the engine echoed alongside the howling of the wind outside the truck. The frozen skeletal branches rattled, ringing a crisp, chiming melody.
"You know what, I’m feeling contradictory with myself," she smiled faintly as she played with his fingers, "I want to know the truth, but it’s also tiring to keep guessing."
He let out soft chuckles. He lifted his other hand, brushing his coarse palm across her head before lightly touching the side of her jaw.
As he tilted his chin down, his gaze was bore on hers. Affection flickered in his eyes as she leaned closer, as if wanting to feel more of his touch.
"So, is it a going along with the flow situation?" he asked teasingly.
His question enticed her to laugh, "More like I want whoever the culprit is just to face me directly. It’ll spare us more time and headaches. Hehe, isn’t it wonderful?"
This time it was her turn to make him laugh. He pinched her cheek as a helpless yet indulgent smile spread on his lips. The sight of her bright and clear eyes eased his heart.
"It’s fine to wish for that," he mused, agreeing with her opinion, "Save us the hassle, tho Declan’s the one who works hard. Well, I wonder if the culprit has caught any whiff of someone digging into the past."
"That... is plausible," she nodded.
Lariette had left the entire investigation to Declan, while Ruediger took on the role of her helper. She usually just let the two men communicate with each other before hearing anything new from her beloved.
The pair remained in the vehicle when the snow fell heavily, blanketing the entire area in white. The noon sky turned darker as the sun hid behind the gray clouds.
"Then," Ruediger grazed his thumb down Lariette’s jaw, "What is it about me? Anything else you wish to know?"
She blinked, and her smile faded. She lifted her hand to cover the back of his, feeling how warmer and broader his hand was compared to hers.
Without beating around the bush, she brought up her curiosity, "Can you tell me why the kidnappers kept you here for months? Did they really not ask for any ransom at all?"
When the young Ruediger first appeared in Amberwood, everyone automatically assumed the man and the woman were his parents. The little Lariette had also thought the same.
Then, the truth was revealed. They were nothing more than accomplices in his kidnapping case, but...
Now that Lariette heard more about the case from Ruediger himself, she couldn’t help but wonder why the kidnappers kept him for months. It didn’t seem they wanted to sell the poor young boy to a trafficker either.
Or were they?
Ruediger wasn’t surprised by Lariette’s question. He knew she would eventually ask him about it. The kidnappers’ behavior did seem uncanny.
He inquired, voice soft, "Do you want to know who’s the mastermind?"
She nodded without a second thought, "Yes."
"The mastermind was one of my uncle’s mistresses."
She gasped, eyes wide in surprise, "...what? Your uncle? Don’t tell me..."
He added calmly, "Maddie’s father. Martin Alvord."