Chapter 47: Play the Sympathy Card

"Hey, be quiet!" Harriet hastily interjected.

After Raylee left, Harriet summoned the housekeeper to clean the porcelain shards from the floor. Samuel stared at the shattered vase and torn painting, seething with frustration.

"Samuel, control your temper! You're constantly clashing with Raylee, even hitting her. You've gone too far!" Harriet reprimanded.

Waverly chimed in, "Mom, Samuel hit Raylee only because she pushed you. You're her elder! How could Raylee lay a hand on you? Seeing how she treats you, I want to hit her too! You're my most cherished mom, and I won't allow anyone to disrespect you!"

Harriet's eyes welled up at her daughter's heartfelt words. She'd given more affection to Raylee, raising her since childhood. Yet, the daughter she'd nurtured for so long treated her like an enemy, while Waverly's love ran deep despite only recently returning. "At the end of the day, Raylee isn't my flesh and blood. She's an ungrateful wretch."

Alaric said sternly, "Regardless, this incident mustn't happen again. Samuel, do you understand? She's the future lady of the Lorimer family. Her elevated status after marriage means the Goodridge Group might rely heavily on her for business. Despite our grievances, her marriage benefits us."

Samuel scoffed. "She's marrying an illegitimate child! What's there to be smug about? Our esteemed Goodridge Group, dependent on an adopted daughter? Ridiculous!" The memory of her arrogance and destructive behavior enraged him.

"Dad, Mom, look at her! Insufferably arrogant! She wrecked the house! If she marries into the Lorimer family, she'll ruin us! Yet you expect her to do favors for the Goodridge Group?"

Worry flickered in Harriet's eyes. She sighed deeply. "Raylee was upset too. We raised her for eighteen years. She couldn't be this heartless and ungrateful, could she?"

Alaric nodded solemnly. "We can't let our relationship deteriorate further. Honey, invite her to dinner more often and play the sympathy card. Invite Mom too. Raylee may dislike us, but she respects her grandmother."

"You're right. Considering her respect for Mom, Raylee won't cause trouble for the Goodridge family," Harriet agreed.

Waverly suggested, "Let's do it tomorrow. Mom and I will make dishes Raylee and Grandma love. I'll tell them now."

"My good Wavy," Harriet lamented affectionately, "such a thoughtful girl. Why doesn't Raylee like her?"

Samuel thought otherwise. Raylee wouldn't easily forgive. Letting her marry into the Lorimer family was like nurturing a viper! He had to stop this disaster.

Returning to Goodridge Manor, Raylee immediately gave Vera the ring. Vera, seeing the returned ring and betrothal gifts, felt content. "Raylee, the Lorimer family will support you. Seeing you marry into such a good family, I can die in peace."

Kaylee quickly covered Vera's mouth. "Grandma, don't say that! I'd trade thirty years of my life for you to live to a hundred!"

Vera chuckled. "My Raylee is the best. She truly cares, unlike that girl..."

"Which girl?" Raylee asked, surprised.

Waverly arrived.

"That girl!" Vera's expression soured instantly. Her attitudes toward Waverly and Raylee were vastly different.

Raylee was taken aback. How had the pretentious Waverly upset Grandma so much?

Waverly approached Vera affectionately. "Good evening, Grandma. Tomorrow at noon, Mom and I will cook dishes you and Raylee love. Will you both come over?"