Chapter 126: Apologize Sincerely
“Don’t say I didn’t warn you!” Samuel’s frustration escalated as he was repeatedly rebuffed by Raylee.
Raylee rolled her eyes. “Mr. Goodridge, please leave. In the future, refrain from entering a lady’s room without permission. It gives off an impression of being frivolous and ill-mannered.”
“I’m your brother! What’s wrong with me entering your room? Haven’t I been doing this since we were kids?” Samuel said, clearly annoyed.
Taking in his arrogant demeanor, Raylee didn’t indulge him. “You’re not my brother, nor am I a member of the Goodridge family. When will you guys stop selectively hearing what you want? Do you want me to print out the declaration of disownment and stick it on your front door?”
Kaylee remained unmoved, causing the determination in Samuel’s eyes to harden. He pointed at her. “Fine! Since I can’t stop you, I’ll let Grandma do it.”
After saying that, he turned and left. Raylee furrowed her brows, wondering if he was planning to spout nonsense in front of Vera. Everyone was aware that Vera was her weakness, so they were always aiming to manipulate her through Vera. The only way to not be manipulated by others was to become strong enough to stand on one’s own two feet. Raylee clenched her fists tightly, her desire to grow stronger reaching its peak.
The feast had begun. Members of the Goodridge family sat around the table, each expressing their heartfelt blessings to the elderly Vera. Raylee sat next to Vera, simply wanting to quietly enjoy her meal. However, after the last toast was made, she was the first one to be singled out.
Suddenly, Samuel stood up and raised his glass toward her. “Ray-Ray, on the occasion of Grandma’s birthday today, I want to apologize to you. Ever since Wavy returned, I’ve neglected your feelings, making your time at home quite miserable. You suffered through four years in prison, and I failed to help you when you needed it most. Also, after you were released from prison, I failed to consider your feelings or tolerate your temper, causing you undue distress. Today, in front of Grandma, I sincerely apologize to you. I hope you can find it in your heart to forgive me, for Grandma’s sake.”
After Samuel finished speaking, he promptly downed the wine in his glass. Raylee looked at him with an unreadable expression. It was the first time she heard him apologize in such a public setting, and she couldn’t figure out what he was really up to. Forgiveness was out of the question; it was simply impossible in this lifetime. The events from four years ago, coupled with the unspeakable things he did to her after her release from prison, had long since killed any semblance of a sibling-like bond between them.
Vera was greatly comforted and advised. “Ray-Ray, it was terrible of this scoundrel to have you committed to a psychiatric hospital. However, it’s rare for him to admit his mistake in public. Give him a chance to turn over a new leaf.”
Hamner only knew that he had done one despicable thing; she was oblivious to everything else. Of course, no one in the Goodridge family had bothered to tell her.
Kaylee didn’t reciprocate the toast. Out of respect for Vera, she uttered indifferently, “I can’t drink alcohol, so I won’t.”
Raylee neither denied it nor agreed. Instead, she gave him a meaningful look and said, “You can speak your mind; there’s no need to beat around the bush. We’re not fools, after all.”
Waverly chimed in, “Raylee, Samuel was sincerely apologizing to you and doesn’t have any ulterior motives. You’re overthinking it. We’re a family, and in a family, grudges aren’t…”
“I wasn’t speaking to you, so why are you butting in?” Kaylee frowned and gave Waverly a sidelong glance. “Besides, did we ever have good times since you returned?”
“Are you blaming me for returning to the Goodridge family, Raylee?” Waverly’s eyes instantly reddened, as if she had been deeply wronged. “This is my fault. I shouldn’t have returned home to compete with you for our parents’ and brother’s affection. If I hadn’t returned, your life would have remained the same. You would have continued to be as happy as you’ve always been. Everything is my fault, so I should be the one to apologize, not Samuel!”
In the end, Waverly began to sob quietly. Seeing her in such a state, Raylee felt quite annoyed. She had never seen someone capable of crying so much. Indeed, not everyone was cut out to be a pretentious b*tch. For instance, she couldn’t make herself cry, even when she wanted to. Despite enduring countless hardships during her time in prison, she remained steadfast, refusing to let herself shed a tear.
Harriet immediately moved to comfort the crying Waverly in a gentle, low voice. Samuel also began to defend Waverly, reprimanding Raylee, “Raylee, why on earth did you scold Wavy? I’ve already apologized to you sincerely, yet you’re still fanning the flames and throwing a tantrum. Is this any way to behave?”