Chapter 44: How Could You Hit Her?

At that moment, the pain was so intense he nearly fainted. Raylee cast a cold, indifferent glance, her heart undisturbed, even faintly satisfied.

Waverly, tears streaming down her face, rushed to help Samuel up. Holding him, she cried, "Samuel, I don't want the pink diamond anymore! Please stop arguing with Raylee. Oh no, your shoulder is bleeding! Does it hurt? Let me clean it." Tears streamed down her face as she gently blew on the wound, dabbing away the blood with a tissue. Her demeanor was pitiful yet tender.

Seeing his sister, Samuel's heart softened. He wished he could give her the world. He glanced at Raylee, standing coldly aside, her resentment so intense it felt like she wanted to flay him alive. Raylee's coldness starkly contrasted Waverly's gentle manner. Why such a vast difference between his adored younger sisters? To think he'd spoiled Raylee for eighteen years, all in vain! His gaze fixed on Raylee, as though he could bore a hole through her.

"Alright, if it's not for sale, it's not," Harriet advised. "It's not like we're losing a piece of meat over a diamond. Be careful, Samuel, and stop being upset with your sister."

By now, Samuel fought not for the diamond, but for his pride. He suppressed his rage and said to Raylee, "Mom's birthday is approaching, and Waverly wants to give her the diamond. She's so devoted to our family. What about you? I bet you don't even remember Mom's birthday! We held every single one of yours. If you have any decency left, any memory of eighteen years of kindness, hand over the diamond. Let Mom have a joyful birthday for once!"

Harriet turned away, sighing deeply, as if lamenting her wasted sincerity. Alaric nodded solemnly.

"Your brother is right," he said. "Though you're not my own flesh and blood, I raised you for eighteen years! You can't disregard that because of four years in prison. You should have some conscience!"

Only then did Raylee realize the Goodridge family's mastery of emotional blackmail. She cast a cold glance at them, a slight smirk playing on her lips, her expression disdainful and mocking.

"Indeed, you raised me for eighteen years. Yet, you are the executioners who killed me! I survived prison and Samuel's near-drowning only by sheer luck! Do you have the audacity to lecture me on conscience and morality? Don't you find that laughable?"

Samuel slammed his hand on the table, rising in anger. "You keep bringing up those four years! Is it because you want us to remember the debt we owe you? Who do you think you are? Nothing but a nanny's daughter! We let you play the role of a wealthy…"

…

"Samuel, please don't argue with Raylee anymore," Waverly pleaded through her tears. "She's about to become Mrs. Lorimer. We can't afford to offend her."

This ostensibly peaceful statement fanned the flames. Samuel's anger intensified. Without hesitation, he slapped Raylee.

A resounding slap echoed. Raylee's head snapped to the side. She stared blankly, hatred in her gaze.

"Samuel! Have you lost your mind? How could you hit Ray—Ray!" Harriet rushed over, slapping Samuel on the head. The force was far less than Samuel's slap.

Samuel gazed at his reddened palm, bewildered. He had lost control and struck Raylee. Just days ago, he'd nearly drowned her. How could he have done it?

"You little punk! How dare you hit Ray—Ray in front of me? Do you think I'm dead? That's your sister! You can't resort to violence!" Alaric rebuked angrily. "Apologize to your sister, or I'll return this slap on behalf of Ray—Ray!"

Watching Alaric's poor acting, Raylee laughed. They defended her only because of her impending marriage to the Lorimer family.

Samuel opened his mouth to apologize, wanting to touch Raylee's face, to ask if she was hurt.