Chapter 35: More To The Story
Samuel continued his tirade. “I’ve doted on you for eighteen years! I crossed fifteen countries to get you that cat you wanted! I scoured auction houses worldwide for that figurine! And now you can’t even give Waverly one pink diamond? At home or out, you constantly tormented Waverly. You’re heartless!”
A murmur rippled through the crowd, quickly escalating into loud gossip.
“Who knew this fake heiress was so well-treated by the Goodridge family, yet still unsatisfied?”
“She’s an ungrateful brat. No wonder she ended up in prison.”
“Why would Jeremiah even fall for a woman with a criminal record?”
Listening to Samuel’s accusations and the onlookers’ ridicule, Raylee let out a cold, mocking laugh. She met Samuel’s gaze. “You dare mention Biscuit? I raised that cat for three years, and the moment Waverly arrived, you gave him to her because she liked him. She tormented him to death—his insides spilled out, and you said nothing. And those figurines? Yes, you bought many. But whose room displayed them? My clothes, bags, shoes—even my books. If Waverly wanted them, you gave them away without asking!”
Her voice dropped, deadly cold. “As for my imprisonment… you framed me. You, more than anyone, know exactly how that happened.”
The crowd’s mood shifted instantly. Skeptical glances turned toward Samuel.
“If you put it that way, this ‘real’ heiress doesn’t seem so innocent. She took over everything upon her return.”
“Stealing? It was hers to begin with. They were simply returning what was rightfully hers.”
“But… is she saying she was framed? Is there more to her prison sentence?”
“Mr. Goodridge, care to explain what really happened?”
Unease flickered across Samuel’s face. The scandal surrounding Raylee’s imprisonment was something the Goodridge family couldn't afford to expose. He ignored the question, his voice defiant. “Waverly suffered for eighteen years because of you. What’s wrong with compensating her a little?”
He continued, “As for the cat, it was an accident. Waverly had never owned a pet; she didn’t know chocolate was toxic. I’ve explained this before.”
Raylee’s heart turned cold. “No need to continue. I’m severing all ties. Let’s never see each other again, even in death.”
Samuel felt something snap inside him. A wave of suffocating regret washed over him. Had I truly made a mistake—a mistake that almost cost Raylee her life? His throat tightened as he stared at Raylee, a unfamiliar feeling of loss settling deep in his chest. It seemed… natural that she despised him.
Jeremiah’s eyes darkened, disdain curling his lips. “Cutting ties? Raylee, don’t you think that’s letting him off too easily? He nearly drowned you!”
“There’s no point in getting physical. If a dog bit me, would I bite it back?” Raylee trembled, but her eyes burned with fierce intensity. Glaring at Samuel, she wished she could tear him apart.
“Whether you lay a hand on him or cut ties, it’s letting him off too easily! Raylee, listen—only a fool shows mercy to their enemies!”
As he finished speaking, Jeremiah produced a gun, the dark muzzle aimed at Samuel.
The crowd erupted in shock at the sight of the gun. Shanice, recently rescued by Casimir, fainted.
Raylee rubbed her eyes, thinking she’d imagined it. But when it became clear Jeremiah held a gun, everyone realized they were in grave danger. Fights, even those involving weapons, might not always end in death. But the moment a gun appeared, everything changed.
“Jeremiah, have you lost your mind? Put the gun away! This isn’t a joke—someone could get killed!” Raylee pleaded, her heart pounding.
“He nearly drowned you! Was he afraid of taking a life then? Don’t worry about this!” Jeremiah, furious, charged forward like a warrior. His killing intent was unstoppable, his icy glare sending chills down Samuel’s spine. “As an adult, you must take responsibility for your actions. Now, face the consequences!”
Samuel, however, refused to back down. His tall figure stood firm, unshaken.