No one was outside. Not Edmund, Julian or George.

The hallway was deserted. Edmund had most likely taken the other two men away, maybe they were inside one of the rooms nearby.

But he did not care.

'It's over.'

He sighed inwardly, feeling the heavy boulder in his heart vanish into nothingness. He felt some kind of void, but the discomfort gradually eased away.

Once Ruediger stepped out of the private dining room, he noticed how different the atmosphere was. There was no longer the heavy air of confrontation, only the cool and calmness of this fine dining restaurant.

Polished marble reflected the soft, golden lighting above, and the echo of distant jazz rang gently through the hallway. The faint chattering of the patrons was drowned under the music.

Ruediger exhaled again. His jaw relaxed and his steps slowed.

For the first time in years, he didn't sense the oppressive air of frustration that he usually felt whenever he faced his estranged father.

"Well, that was the most satisfying lunch meeting I've ever attended. But I didn't even have a bite or sip of water."

Nathaniel's voice rang beside Ruediger, laced with humor. The latter turned, a smirk tugging on his lips. He playfully punched his friend's arm.

"Go and get some food. I don't want Elsie nagging at me if she finds out you're not eating because of me."

Nathaniel chuckled, his brown eyes carrying a glint of mirth. His gaze landed on his long-time friend, the one he deemed his own brother.

"You saw his face when you walked in, huh? I bet he thought he saw his ancestors rising from the grave. Quite a joke for someone of his caliber."

Ruediger laughed quietly, shaking his head. His bangs ruffled softly over his forehead.

How could he not see that?

The frightening and imposing figure that he usually saw on his estranged father crumbled, leaving a desperate and weak soul of a man.

"He acted just like I'd expected. Rage and denial. Lucky for him, he didn't faint in anger. I didn't wanna waste my time calling for the ambulance."

Nathaniel hummed, agreeing with his friend. He sneered, "You handled it better, Rudy. Cold and precise. No nonsense or word vomit. Well, that's the kind of thing I would've paid to see."

Ruediger smirked, "I'm not a comedian."

The two friends walked out of the restaurant, heading to the private elevator. Their unhurried steps slowly yet steadily brought them to the secret hallway.

As Nathaniel pushed the button, he turned to Ruediger again. The latter was sending Edmund a message to tell him to let Julian and George leave.

"Rudy, I'm proud of you. You could've crushed them completely. But you just reminded them you didn't need them. The best power play of all."

Ruediger nodded slowly, feeling the words sink in, "It wasn't easy, Nate. The me from ten years ago wanted to do that, but not anymore. Still, I meant it when I said I wanted nothing from them."

Nathaniel's eyes lingered longer on Ruediger. He couldn't help but think about how viciously he destroyed his paternal family years ago, and his actions cost him dearly.

Not only was he separated from his lover, but he also missed out on the early years of their daughter's growth.

The elevator doors slid open, and the two men stepped inside. Their towering figures were reflected on the glass panels installed.

Ruediger looked at Nathaniel and said teasingly, "I couldn't have done this without you."

"Don't get sentimental," Nathaniel warned, pretending to be serious, "What if I cry?"

"Elsie might kill me," Ruediger joked, laughing helplessly, "Or Lorrie won't want me as her uncle anymore."

Rolling his eyes, Nathaniel gave his friend a light nudge on the shoulder, "Go on, get out of here. You have someone waiting for you too. Or maybe busy teaching a classroom of rascals."

More chuckles slipped from Ruediger's lips. He grinned, happy at the mention of Lariette.

"I'll head to Lettie later. She doesn't finish until five today. I've got time, so I'd better go buy her some gifts."

"Why don't you go wild? She knows you're a billionaire already, right? Buy her a yacht."

Ruediger replied with a meaningful look, "Don't tempt me. Well, enough about me. How're you guys doing? You'll go back to Norvonna this holiday?"

Understanding what Ruediger meant, Nathaniel nodded, "We're doing great, and yes. We plan to celebrate Christmas at the Winslows' ranch. They'll follow us to my parents' for the New Year."

Even though Christmas was still four weeks away, Nathaniel and Elsie had already finalized their plan. The little Lorianne was delighted to celebrate the important holidays with both sets of her grandparents.

Elsie's adoptive parents usually celebrated Christmas at their ranch in the countryside. The snow was mesmerisingly beautiful there.

During the holiday, Nathaniel would meet the Winslows' relatives for the first time. He was quite nervous, but Elsie reassured him that everyone would welcome him well.

"That sounds great. I'm sure you guys will enjoy it."

Ruediger hummed, thinking back to his own holiday plan with Lariette. He couldn't wait for the weeks to pass quickly.

"Well... I actually have a plan for Elsie," Nathaniel paused, the corners of his lips curling up, "I plan to propose to her this Christmas."

"What?"

Ruediger's eyes widened, surprised by Nathaniel's statement. His friend's nervous expression was reflected in his emerald orbs.

"I'm not joking. I'll propose to Elsie this Christmas."

Although Nathaniel had just been reunited with Elsie, he could feel how much closer they were to each other. She also mentioned the same thing with sparkles in her warm green eyes.

After weighing everything, Nathaniel decided to propose to Elsie before the end of the year. Christmas sounded great enough. He just had to make sure his planning went smoothly.

Of course, the most important thing was her acceptance.

Ruediger said nothing for a few minutes, and then the surprise faded from his eyes. He patted his friend's back, "I know you'll do the best. And she'll be happy."

Nathaniel simply smiled. His heart bloomed with joy as he imagined that day.

Not long after, Nathaniel headed straight to the basement parking lot where his chauffeur was waiting. As for Ruediger, he headed to the heart of Edenia Avenue, leaving the secret hallway.

He wandered leisurely through the pristine interior of the luxury mall, his territory. People passed without giving him a second glance, unaware that the man in the tailored coat was the phantom billionaire behind it all.

His mind, however, was filled only with her.

Ruediger pondered as he walked, thinking Lariette would be tired after school. She went to school this morning with a beaming look, but he knew the day would tire her out.

'She has many clothes already, but adding one or two more doesn't sound bad.'

He smirked as he convinced himself.

Ruediger's first destination was Annelle Style, the boutique founded by Elsie and also the place where Lariette got a white dress for their marriage registration day.

The storefront displayed its winter collection. Christmas decorations had adorned the shop. This copy was generated from content at *.

Ruediger saw soft cashmere sweaters, plush loungewear, oversized cardigans and matching couple sets, meant to be worn indoors and outdoors. Everything looked comfy.

Once he walked inside, a young shop assistant greeted him politely, "Welcome to Annelle Style. Is there anything I can help you with, sir?"

"I'll browse first," Ruediger said with a faint smile, already making his way toward the women's section that occupied more than half of the store.

He ran his fingers over a set of pastel-pink knitwear, soft as a cloud. Then, a delicate ash-grey wrap cardigan caught his eye. He matched both with a pair of warm wool leggings in her size.

Then, he moved to the couple's section. He found sweaters and soft, checkered fleece-lined pants in the color periwinkle blue, perfect for winter evenings. One set in her size, and another in his.

Ruediger planned to do a quick run of the laundry for everything, and they could wear the matching loungewear this evening. Just imagining the scene made him happy.

"I'll take these," he told the assistant.

"Great choice, sir. Our winter indoor collection is very popular with couples," she replied with a smile, "I'll pack these for you."

Ruediger waited for the shop assistant to package the clothes. His thoughts shifted toward what else Lariette might enjoy.

'How about some bath bombs?'

Ruediger noticed Lariette's stock had run low in her bathroom, while he still had some in his. She loved taking a long soak in the hot tub, either alone or with him.

They still retained their own bedrooms, but due to the change in their relationship, their belongings could be found in each other's.

Her favorite pink hair band lay on his bedside table, his sweater hung in her wardrobe, and so on. They had traces of one another in the private space of their bedrooms.

But...

Should he ask if they could simply share one bedroom?

Smiling, he hoped he would remember to ask her soon.