Chapter 461: Forgiveness Sounds Too Easy
On Wednesday, Ruediger picked Lariette up from school as usual around three. Then, they headed to Chairman Delaney’s residence around six in the evening.
By the time they arrived, Declan and Rafael were already there. They were also present for tonight’s discussion.
Or to be exact, to know what her decision might be.
Everyone gathered for an early dinner. What filled the dining room was the chatter of everyday life instead of the issue that would be brought up later. Then, they retreated to the elderly man’s study.
The study smelled faintly of sandalwood and old paper. A thin layer of frost coated the windows, blurring the night outside.
The air was heavy, thickened by unspoken pressure. The butler left after serving them tea.
Lariette sat on the couch beside Ruediger. Across from them were Declan and Rafael, while Chairman Delaney sat on the single couch between them. The warmth of the heater kept the wintry cold out of the study.
The elderly man rested his cane beside his couch. The lamplight haloed the silver in his air.
Since last weekend, Chairman Delaney had already known everything regarding Mr. Eastwood’s involvement in the infant exchange.
He exhaled a sigh. It seemed to echo through the entire room. His eyes were shadowed with exhaustion as he recalled what his youngest grandchild had gone through.
"Lari, my dear," Chairman Delaney looked at Lariette, voice slightly hoarse, "What do you want us to do? Don’t be afraid to speak your mind. What is it you wish to do?"
At that, everyone else also stared at her. Even after a few days, the question remained unanswered.
Both Declan and Rafael were aware that their grandfather put importance on Lariette’s opinion. After all, she was the victim who suffered the most.
Aside from Ruediger, the others hadn’t yet heard what Lariette planned to do with the man who forcibly altered her fate decades ago.
Mr. Eastwood was still confined in Declan’s villa, guarded yet unharmed. No one, not even from his family, was looking for him.
As if he was aware of his own fate, never once did he try to escape or act sneakily. He spent most of his time either in his bedroom or the home library.
Ruediger tightened his hand around Lariette’s. He had been silent since they entered the study. His gaze softened as she looked at him, feeling his quiet reassurance.
Lariette smiled at him, and then she looked down. She saw her reflection tremble faintly in the surface of her untouched tea. She brushed a strand of hair, tucking it behind her ear.
When Lariette looked up again, she swept her serene gaze across everyone in the study. Her expression showed not even the slightest sadness that tormented her last week.
"I’ve been thinking about that," she said quietly, "I’ve come to a decision."
Rafael chimed in, "We can take him to court. We can expose him, or ruin whatever’s left of his name. Lari, that’s what you want to do, right?"
Declan shared the same thoughts as Rafael. Both assumed Lariette would drag Mr. Eastwood to court. They were prepared to fight and ensure the older man paid for everything he had caused her.
But...
"Ray," Lariette’s steady voice called her third brother. She added softly, "I don’t want that. I won’t bring him to court."
The two brothers stared at her, clearly stunned. Rafael frowned, "You don’t want that? Lari, he ruined your life. He—"
"I know," she interrupted, voice remained soft and composed, "But what will it change? It’s been almost thirty years. The truth came out too late anyway."
Neither Declan nor Rafael could refute Lariette. They looked away, unable to look into her eyes as guilt weighed heavily in their hearts.
She should live the life of a princess, adored by all, once she was born. Unfortunately, the man’s trickery had caused her to live as another family’s child.
When she returned to her rightful place, she was never welcomed warmly. She sought her own family’s warmth and care for almost ten years, but all her efforts were futile.
When they, Declan and Rafael, finally realized the wrongs they had done, everything was almost too late. Lariette had stepped away from their family. She no longer craved their love.
Chairman Delaney leaned forward slightly, his eyes gentle on Lariette, "My dear, do you mean to forgive him?"
He had always known that this granddaughter of hers bore a soft and kind heart. But he also knew that she had grown into someone unyielding.
He didn’t believe that she would simply forgive and forget.
Lariette blinked, she hesitated. The word ’forgive’ sounded too clean, too easy for the torment she had experienced. Mr. Eastwood certainly did not deserve it.
"No," she shook her head, "Grandpa, I can’t forgive what he did. But I don’t want to destroy him either. I’ve thought of another way that won’t involve the court."
Lariette’s remarks piqued the interest of Chairman Delaney and the Elsher brothers. As for Ruediger, he turned his gaze to her, his lips curling into a gentle smile.
Lariette met her beloved’s gaze. She returned the same smile before turning back to her grandfather.
"Grandma’s foundation focuses on education, too, right? The one that builds and funds schools in rural areas?"
"Yes," the elderly man replied slowly, thinking of the foundation he kept alive and strong even after his dear wife had long passed away, "What about it, Lari?"
Madam Charlotte Delaney came from a humble background. As she worked alongside her husband in expanding Delaney Industries, she also supported hundreds of charity works.
One of Madam Delaney’s main focuses was on education.
She funded schools in rural areas, including providing scholarships to excellent students. She also emphasized the importance of education for young girls.
Until now, her foundation had sponsored schools within the country and also abroad.
Declan’s eyes flung open once he realized what Lariette might have planned. He whispered, "Lari, do you..."
Lariette nodded, "I want to send him there."
The room fell still.