Chapter 133: Crushing Regret

Seeing the torment and regret in Samuel’s expression, Casimir couldn’t hold back anymore. “Normally, I wouldn’t waste my breath chewing you out, but I just can’t help it! You’re an idiot! A complete f*cking idiot! You knew Ray—Ray was weak, that she didn’t even have the strength to fight back, yet you handed her over to some random stranger like she was nothing?”

Samuel clenched his jaw, guilt consuming him. He had done Raylee wrong. Not only had he handed her off to a stranger, but he had also tied her hands behind her back, leaving her utterly helpless. How could I have done something so cruel?

Just as they were about to drive to the red-light district, Casimir’s phone rang. It was a call from Percival. After answering, he turned to Samuel, eyes shining with hope. “We don’t have to go to Huntingdorf anymore. Percival found Ray—Ray! He got her out and took her to the hospital in Jexburgh. She’s in surgery now.”

“Really?” Samuel couldn’t believe it.

Casimir, barely able to contain his relief, explained, “Two years ago, Percival kept pestering me to fund a medical laboratory in Huntingdorf. He went there to check on its progress, and on his way back, he almost ran her over.”

They wasted no time and rushed to Richland Hospital.

Inside the hospital room, Raylee lay on the bed, covered by a white sheet. Percival stood beside her, his face heavy with sorrow. When they arrived, he looked at them with regret. “I’m sorry. I did everything I could.”

“Percival, what are you saying?” Casimir’s face filled with disbelief.

Behind him, Samuel had turned pale as a ghost. He didn’t dare step forward, only staring numbly at the white sheet covering Raylee’s body. “You saw it with your own eyes,” Percival said solemnly. “Only the dead get covered in white sheets. I told you, over the phone, to brace yourselves.”

Casimir staggered backward, gripping Percival’s collar in frustration. “Aren’t you a top surgeon? How the hell did you let her die? I’ve been funding your research for years! And this is what I get?”

Percival snapped, “Mr. Sutherland, do you think I can bring people back from the dead? Do you have any idea what kind of state she was in when I found her? As a doctor, I’ve seen my fair share of tragedies, but when I saw her… I was stunned. The word ‘horrific’ doesn’t even begin to describe it.”

Casimir slowly let go, his face hollow with grief. At that moment, he seemed to age ten years. He knew yelling at Percival wouldn’t change anything. The real ones to blame were him and Samuel. If they hadn’t schemed to send Raylee away and lock her up, she never would have ended up like this. Regret crushed him. If he had to choose, he’d rather have her marry Jeremiah. That was a dead end too, but at least it might have bought her some more time. His eyes burned, but no tears fell. When he finally spoke, his voice was hoarse, barely above a whisper. “Ray—Ray, I was wrong.” His hands trembled. “If you can just make it through this, I swear, I’ll never interfere in your life again. Whoever you want to marry, whatever you want to do… I won’t stop you.”

Percival sighed at Casimir’s pain. “Too late for regrets now. During her life, you didn’t cherish her. Now she’s dead, and all you can do is mourn. What a waste. Such a young girl…

Casimir clenched his fists. His eyes turned bloodshot, but he refused to cry. Samuel, meanwhile, looked like his soul had been ripped out. He tried to step forward, but his legs gave out, sending him collapsing to the floor. Silent tears rolled down his face.

Percival rushed over to help him up. “Mr. Goodridge, there’s no medicine for regret. No matter how much you cry, you can’t change the past. She’s already gone. It’s pitiful. That girl fought so hard to survive, but in the end, she still couldn’t escape the pain you both brought her. If you couldn’t treat her well in life, then at least let her rest in peace. Pray that in her next life, she’s born into a kinder family.”

Samuel’s eyes were lifeless, filled with nothing but despair. His whole world had collapsed into darkness. He blamed himself. Hated himself. He was the one who had sent Raylee to her death. Just last night, she had been arguing with him, full of fire. Now, they were in different worlds. How could life be so fragile? She must have suffered horribly in that dark van. If I had known it would end like this, I would have protected her no matter what.

“Raylee, wake up,” his voice cracked. “Please… I was wrong. I swear, I won’t pressure you anymore!”