Chapter 26: A Blind Date

That mysterious yet romantic response left Raylee completely flustered. She lifted her gaze, staring intently at the man. Her thoughts drifted back fifteen years. She strained to recall something, but couldn't remember anything. Raylee was only seven or eight years old then. Why would she have anything to do with Jeremiah back then?

Half an hour later, a Cullinan pulled up at the entrance of Goodridge Manor. Jeremiah helped Raylee from the car. After she alighted, he straightened her collar and ruffled her hair. His gaze was deep as he said, "Wait for me. In two months. I'll make you my wife."

Raylee's face flushed; she neither agreed nor objected.

Simultaneously, ten meters away, Samuel approached Goodridge Manor. He hadn't adequately prepared the previous night's welcome-home ceremony, triggering Raylee's claustrophobia and causing her discomfort for half the day. He felt deeply guilty. He'd specifically bought Raylee's favorite collectible figurine that day to apologize.

However, he saw Raylee emerging from a luxury car with a limited-edition license plate. The man with her was tall, and their interaction was intimate. Who was he? Samuel only glimpsed the man's retreating figure before the car sped away.

Frustrated, he tried to chase the car but couldn't catch up. He stormed over to Raylee, demanding, "Who was that man you were just acting so intimate with? You've sure grown bold, daring to mess around with random guys from outside!"

Raylee, angered by his indiscriminate scolding, retorted irritably, "He's not a random guy! He's my friend!"

Samuel's emotions overwhelmed him, his doubts erupting in a rapid-fire barrage of questions. "Your friend? What friend? You just got out of prison. What kind of friend could you possibly have? Even if he were an old friend, I should know him!"

"Mr. Goodridge, don't you think you're overstepping your boundaries? Who I choose to befriend is none of your business," Raylee retorted coldly.

A chill spread across Samuel's face. Seeming to seize upon evidence, he accused, "I can't even ask a question now, huh? From what I see, he must be your new sugar daddy, right? His license plate is not ordinary. He might even be a married man, Raylee. You're actually willing to be a mistress! You're utterly shameless!"

Raylee flew into a rage. "Don't you dare go overboard with your words! Just because your heart is tainted, it doesn't mean everyone else is as corrupt as you!"

Samuel's fury escalated. "Are you flying into a rage out of humiliation? That means I've hit the nail on the head! Raylee, I never thought you would degrade yourself like this! You spent a few years in prison, but what of it? The Goodridge family hasn't given up on you, so why are you sabotaging yourself?"

Raylee was so infuriated she couldn't speak. One who wishes to find fault will have no trouble finding a pretext! My supposed brother caused me to spend four years in prison, and now he's slandering me with such despicable words! In that moment, she was consumed by anger and sadness.

Once, Samuel had been tender and indulgent towards her. He'd stay by her side day and night when she was sick, caring for her meticulously. He'd fly overseas overnight to auctions, bidding high prices for the collectible figurines she loved. If anyone dared to touch her, he'd be furious enough to seek retribution upon their ancestors.

But everything changed after Waverly's return. It started with bias and neglect, escalating to intensified questioning and indiscriminate insults. She could accept him not loving her, but she couldn't understand why he had to hurt her.

Disappointment etched Raylee's face; she had no energy to rebut. Turning, she headed towards Goodridge Manor.

Samuel grabbed her arm. The unexpected force caught Raylee off guard; she was yanked to the ground.

She squinted, her voice cold with malice. "Samuel, isn't it enough that you've insulted me? Are you also going to hit me now?"

Unlike before, she didn't address him formally. Using his first name stretched their distance to the ends of the earth. Confusion flickered across Samuel's handsome face. Yet, recalling Raylee's supposed deeds, his attitude remained assertive.

"Who asked you to go after a sugar daddy? If word gets out, you'll completely tarnish the Goodridge family's reputation!"

"I severed ties with the Goodridge family a long time ago. If you're worried about being humiliated, feel free to announce to the world through the newspapers that I'm not a part of the Goodridge family."

Raylee struggled to her feet, a sharp pain radiating from her injured leg, causing her to break out in a cold sweat.

Vera heard the commotion. Assisted by her housekeeper, she came out. Angrily, she asked, "Ray-Ray, how did you fall? Did this scoundrel bully you again?"

Raylee didn't want Vera to worry, so she forced a smile, saying, "No, Grandma. You've misunderstood. I just lost my balance."

"Really?" Vera asked.

"Of course!" Raylee shifted the topic. "Do you want to know about my blind date?"

Excitement washed over Vera's face. "Judging by your demeanor, Ray-Ray, it seems like good things are on the horizon, right? Are you pleased with your blind date? I'm pleased with this ideal grandson-in-law! So, how does he feel about you? Quickly, tell me!"

Hearing their conversation, Samuel was dumbfounded. Was Raylee not dating a sugar daddy? Was she not a mistress? Did she actually go on a blind date?

When Raylee looked at him, her joyous face turned cold, and she gave a slight nod.

"Why didn't you explain it to me clearly? I thought…" Samuel was consumed by guilt. He'd gravely misunderstood her, even causing her to fall. Why hadn't he figured out the situation before accusing her? Raylee hated him even more now, right? But why hadn't she explained it earlier? Was it so hard for her?

While guilt gnawed at him, his anger also escalated. Since Raylee's release from prison, her failure to provide a timely explanation had been the root of their conflict. Even feeling guilty, he thought it made no difference. If she didn't change her stubborn nature, their relationship couldn't return to what it once was.

"Did Jeremiah drive you home?" Vera didn't notice the change in Samuel's expression. "Ray-Ray, why didn't you invite him in for a while! Gosh! I heard he's quite the looker, like a Kylara celebrity. So handsome! Next time, we must invite him over. I really want to meet him!"

"Jeremiah?" Samuel couldn't hide his astonishment. "Grandma, are you referring to Jeremiah from the Lorimer family? Layla's older brother? Who told you to introduce him to Ray-Ray?"

"Is there a problem? Your mother introduced him. Members of the Lorimer family aren't ordinary folks. Even our family would be honored to be associated with them!" Vera said, eyebrows furrowed.

Samuel, with a grave expression, didn't speak. He simply turned and walked away.