Heiress' Househusband is a Secret Billionaire

<.Manor No. 6, Eldoria Heights.>

The summer sun basked over the white manor standing at the far corner of Eldoria Heights, one of the luxurious neighborhoods in Avaloria City. The place overlooked the entire city from the hills.

The mansion was enveloped in the air of tranquility but, the peace didn't reach the woman sitting alone in the lounge. Her wrinkled brows expressed the inner turmoil burdening her.

"Geez, what's wrong with her?"

Exhaling a sigh, Samantha tossed her smartphone to the seat next to her.

She propped one elbow on the armrest before leaning back against the cushion. Her face was etched with worries and dissatisfaction. 

Despite being in her late 50s, Samantha retained her graceful beauty. Her extensive skincare routine with frequent spa sessions including daily exercises did wonders for her aging body.

Samantha's luxurious chocolate brown hair was one of her prized possessions, including her deep-set sapphire eyes. They contrasted elegantly with her fair skin.

'Why is she so quiet? She has never acted like this.'

It had been a few days from the last time Samantha had contact with Lariette. Her daughter hadn't returned any of her calls and messages as of late – something Lariette had never done all these years.

[Lariette: I'll bring a husband back next week]

Samantha recalled the last text she received from Lariette. It was a response when she tried persuading her daughter to reconcile with Damien.

'I don't need this stress. Just why can't she understand my worries?'

Closing her eyes, Samantha refrained from sighing again. She pinched the space between her brows, feeling a headache coming.

Samantha was shocked to hear about Lariette getting into an accident on the same day she discovered Damien's infidelity. She wanted to rush to the hospital but, decided against it.

"Mom... is this my fault? I only want the best for Lari. I shouldn't have introduced Damien to her, right?"

Stephanie was extremely upset upon learning about Damien cheating on Lariette, thinking everything was hers to blame.

Devastated to see her beloved daughter being so miserable, Samantha gently coaxed Stephanie. Her heart was torn seeing the young lady cry in her embrace.

In her attempt not to make Stephanie feel she was at fault, Samantha told Lariette not to fuss about Damien's one-time infidelity. She believed Lariette would come to her senses too.

But...

The radio silence on Lariette's side made Samantha restless. She had swallowed her pride by continuously trying to contact the former, only to receive nothing in return.

Lariette was surely still mad at Damien thus, affecting them, wasn't it?

In the ten years that Lariette lived with the Elsher family, Samantha had never faced any kind of rebellious act from her birth daughter. She was always well-behaved.

'Let's stop thinking about her. There's still so much to do for Phanie's wedding.'

Stephanie and Matthias' wedding would be held in the middle of the next month, in less than three weeks. The young lady had always loved the idea of a beach wedding. 

Stephanie chose to get married at Azure Bay, a private island in the south of the city. The island belonged to Chairman Delaney, Samantha's father.

Half of the island was open for tourism. Structures of hotels, resorts and other facilities were built there. The workers lived in a village-like area with their family members.

During the wedding, the guests would occupy the five-star hotel, including the relatives. Chairman Delaney and the Elsher family had their own private residences there, off-limits from regular tourists.

'Phanie's wedding needs to be perfect. She deserves nothing less.'

Even though the Silvera family wished to fund the entire ceremony because it was the wedding of their heir, Samantha and Jonathan didn't agree. They also wanted to do their part as Stephanie's parents.

Well, their reason was just an excuse.

In actuality, Samantha and Jonathan were afraid the Silvera family would look down on Stephanie. They never wanted that to happen.

Years ago, some whispered that Lariette would replace Stephanie in the marriage pact because she was the real daughter. The rumors upset the latter because she had been in love with Matthias for years.

Fortunately, Matthias said he would only marry Stephanie. At the same time, everyone witnessed how the fake daughter was treated better than the real one.

Choosing Stephanie the adopted—fake—heiress was the better option for the Silvera family. After all, Lariette the true heiress was clearly neglected even by her own parents.

While Samantha was deep in her thoughts, a slender figure appeared at the entrance of the lounge. Surprised by the sudden echoes of someone's crying, Samantha opened her eyes.

"Phanie? Why are you crying? Oh, dear."

Samantha hurriedly rose to her feet, rushing to Stephanie. She was shocked to see the current pitiful state of her cherished daughter.

"Mom..."

Sobbing her heart out, Stephanie dived into Samantha's arms. She clutched on her mother's dress as if she grasping for the last lifeline. Her cries intensified, chasing the previous peace in the lounge away.

"Oh, my dear, what happened, Phanie? Come, come and sit first."

"En..."

Samantha held Stephanie as she ushered her daughter to the couch. Once they were seated, the young lady wiped her tear-stricken face.

"M-Mom... Am I bad? Is it wrong for me to... worry about... my own sister?"

The end of Stephanie's sentence alerted Samantha. Holding her daughter's trembling back, she anxiously asked, "Did Lariette do something to you? Did you meet her?"

Stephanie nodded, and more sobs slipped out from her mouth. Tears rolled down her cheeks as if there were no end to her sadness. Her damp blond fringes were stuck to her face.

"Well... Mom is worried about Lari, right? So... I went to look... for her... She... she's still mad at Damien... and now at us..."

Lying her head on Samantha's lap, Stephanie covered her teary face. The droplets of her tears weighed down her lashes.

Enraged by what she had just heard from Stephanie, Samantha exclaimed, "What's wrong with her? Even if she's mad at Damien, she shouldn't upset you!"

Samantha could understand why Lariette was still infuriated by what Damien had done yet, it was not a good reason to direct her wrath to the innocent Stephanie.

"I'll scold her real good! Who does she think she is? She dares to make her sister cry?!"

Samantha reached out for the phone, eager to call Lariette and criticize her. In her fury, she didn't notice the slight snicker on Stephanie's lips.