Chapter 166: Back At Home
After returning to her homeland, she didn't go back to Goodridge Manor. Instead, she insisted on visiting Victor at the Lorimer Estate. Worried that the Lorimer family would cause her harm, Casimir accompanied her.
At the entrance of Lorimer Estate, the housekeeper came out and reported, “Mr. Victor said he will see Ms. Goodridge Salone.” “Alright,” Raylee nodded in agreement.
Casimir held her back, voicing his concern. “Ray—Ray, the son of the head of the Lorimer family has died. He might take his anger out on you. You going in there alone is risky…”
“I’ve been through the most perilous situations; I don’t really care anymore,” Raylee said nonchalantly.
Yet, Casimir didn’t let her go, pleading earnestly. “It’s precisely because you’ve narrowly escaped death that I can’t bear to see you in danger again. Why don’t we, the Goodridge family, handle this matter? I’ll also help mediate, of course. Given my family’s standing in the capital, I believe Mr. Victor would be reasonable on my account.”
“Handle this matter? How? Do you want me to cower and fear and hide?” Raylee broke away from him. She looked at him, a hint of mockery flickering in her eyes.
“If returning means to live like a coward, I’d rather die in Musmeynia, or not come back at all. Since I chose to return to my homeland, I am ready to challenge the injustices of fate. I was prepared to confront both the Lorimer and Goodridge families and withstand everything they might throw at me. I am eager to see who is stronger—me and my indomitable determination, or them!”
“Ray—Ray, why must you be so stubborn?” Casimir lamented, frustrated that his words weren’t getting through to her. “Sometimes, it’s good to back down. It can spare you some trouble; there’s no need always to pick a fight!”
“Back down? Haven’t I done that enough?” Raylee scoffed.
“Four years ago, when Waverly returned to the Goodridge family, I yielded to her in every way. I even moved to Goodridge Manor to live with Grandma, just to avoid provoking her. I backed down, but did she ever let me off the hook? Did I not back down when I faced inhuman torture in prison? Didn’t I grovel like a dog, pleading for them to show mercy? And what did it get me? Constantly giving in has only ever brought me pain, so why should I continue to do so?”
Listening to her rants, Casimir was filled with guilt. He began to blame himself, “I’m sorry, this is all my fault. I failed to protect you…”
Actually, it doesn’t really involve you that much. Four years ago, everyone in the Goodridge family accused me of being a thief! You choosing to stand by your fiancée was only to be expected. Since you decisively chose Waverly four years ago, you shouldn’t be fickle now.”
“I’m not being fickle. In fact, I don’t harbor any romantic feelings for Waverly—” Casimir attempted to explain, but was abruptly cut off by Raylee’s icy voice.
“Enough,” she said, her patience wearing thin. “I’m not in the mood for excuses. If you want to wait here, then wait. If not, just go back home: This matter has nothing to do with you. There’s no need to invite trouble upon yourself. Also, haven’t you always been trying to stop me from marrying Jeremiah? You’ve gotten what you wanted now. Jeremiah is dead, and my hope of marrying into the Lorimer family died with him. But let me make this clear, even if he is no longer around, I would never give you a chance. So, you might as well give up on that idea!”
After she finished speaking, Raylee walked into Lorimer Estate without looking back. When the door to Victor’s study swung open, Raylee was immediately hit by a powerful wave of tobacco scent upon entering, nearly enough to make her dizzy.
It seemed that the news of Jeremiah’s death had been received by Victor quite some time ago. Through the haze of smoke, Raylee could sense the overwhelming grief he carried, one that reflected the loss of a child. Victor had a few sons; just by his wife alone, he already had more than one. Therefore, an illegitimate child like Jeremiah probably had a limited place in his heart, a fact that was obvious to Raylee. From Jeremiah’s last words, it was clear that he harbored deep affection for his father.
“You actually dared to show up at Lorimer Estate alone? Young lady, you’ve got some nerve!” Raylee was instantly confronted with a thundering rebuke. She furrowed her brows. In truth, she had no fear when facing Victor’s reproach. Jeremiah’s death seemed to have bestowed upon her an indomitable courage to live.
She took a deep breath before speaking. “Why wouldn’t I dare? I am Jeremiah’s fiancée. It’s my duty and obligation to handle his affairs after his death.”
“I can’t believe you have the nerve to say these things!” Victor huffed heavily. “As his fiancée, you failed to bring my son back from the Musmeynia. You should have just died there, but it’s too late now. I’ll make sure you understand that returning home is the biggest mistake you’ve ever made in your life. I won’t kill you, but I will make you suffer a fate worse than death.”
In his last sentence, a strong murderous intent surfaced in Victor’s eyes.