Chapter 28: My Future Wife
Through the mirror, Raylee saw Waverly and Shanice Sutherland, Casimir's sister and Raylee's former sister-in-law. Enemies often cross paths, she mused; when it rains, it pours. Already socially anxious, Raylee felt a fresh wave of unease encountering them. Waverly was formidable, and Shanice was not to be trifled with.
Raylee, once known for her arrogance and volatile temper, was a stark contrast to Shanice’s even more domineering and insolent nature. Their incompatibility was legendary; disagreements escalated quickly into physical altercations. Casimir, caught in the middle, often favored Shanice, despite his lack of strong feelings for his then-fiancée, Kaylee. Samuel's greatest concern had been the potential conflict between Kaylee and her sister-in-law, not her mother-in-law.
Raylee was surprised by Waverly and Shanice's close friendship after she became Casimir's fiancée. Hand in hand, they seemed inseparable, a testament to Waverly's efforts in appeasing Shanice. Raylee expected sparks to fly, but she had lost her former bravado.
She glanced at them, then greeted them casually, "Long time no see."
Waverly approached, linking arms with Raylee, and exclaimed, "Raylee, you're here! You're finally blending into normal life! Dad, Mom, and Samuel will be thrilled!"
Raylee subtly disengaged, her expression cool. "I'm leaving," she said, and exited the restroom. Her aloof demeanor signaled a desire for distance.
However, Shanice and Waverly followed, blocking her path. Raylee was speechless. Waverly, looking distressed—eyes red and swollen—appeared deeply wronged.
Annoyed, Raylee said, "Please don't cry; it'll make people think I bullied you."
Tears streaming down her face, Waverly sobbed, "Raylee, I don't know what I did wrong! Please don't be upset. I'm sorry."
Her crying drew attention. One woman apologized profusely, tears of apparent injustice flowing, while the other remained impassive. Instinctively, sympathy leaned towards the pitiful Waverly.
A candid remark nearly escaped Raylee: Waverly was the epitome of a pretentious woman, adept at winning over the Goodridge family with her manipulative tactics.
The charity banquet guests were Jexburgh's high society. The Goodridge family was one of the four great families, and the controversy surrounding Raylee's legitimacy four years prior remained fresh in many minds. Shanice capitalized on this, announcing to everyone, "She's the fake Goodridge heiress! She looks sickly; is that makeup?" Whispers followed: "She was in jail!" "An ex-convict at this banquet!"
Shanice's mocking laughter punctuated her cruel words: "The thief, the fake heiress!"
The fear amplified within Raylee as snickers filled the air. But she wouldn't back down. She’d endured enough abuse in prison. Raising her hand, she slapped Shanice.
The sharp slap stunned Shanice. Waverly was dumbfounded. "You bitch! How dare you?" Shanice seethed, clutching her face. "An ex-convict, a fake heiress! Are you seeking death?" She lunged, but a large hand seized her wrist, throwing her against the wall. The impact was jarring.
An icy, arrogant voice boomed, "How dare you mess with my fiancée? You're seeking death!"
Shanice looked up at the towering figure—Jeremiah Lorimer. Terror choked her words: "M-Mr. Lorimer? R-Raylee? Your fiancée?"
Jeremiah's gaze held profound mockery. Shanice dared not speak further, her face ashen with fright. Casimir had warned her against the Lorimers; they were untouchable.
Jeremiah, rumored to be ruthless and cunning, had amassed a bloody reputation, yet always protected his own interests. Waverly, witnessing Jeremiah for the first time, was captivated by his fearsome charisma. She was in shock.
The guests retreated, intimidated by Jeremiah's aura. They feared provoking the Lorimers.
Turning to Raylee, Jeremiah’s voice softened, his eyes filled with tenderness. "Are you alright, my fiancée?" The contrast with his previous ruthlessness was stark, even leading Raylee to question his sanity. Yet, his words warmed her heart, providing a profound sense of security. She wasn't helpless; she had Jeremiah's support. He had declared her his fiancée, and no one could touch her.
Raylee nodded, her gratitude distilled into two words, "Thank you."