Chapter 119: The Emerald Bracelet
With a stormy expression, Jeremiah bellowed, “Layla, have you lost your mind? You’re giving away Grandma’s priceless heirloom to this despicable woman of lowly status? That was something Grandma specifically gave you! Even Tiffany, who was born of the legal wife, didn’t get it!”
Layla stated firmly, “This emerald bracelet is mine, so I can do whatever I please with it. Also, Ray-Ray is not at all despicable or lowly. She bravely protected herself. I believe her decision to fire the gun was not wrong, Jeremiah. In this game of life, what goes around comes around. You need to rein yourself in and let Ray-Ray go!”
“Fine, so you’re choosing to side with outsiders, huh? Let’s see how long you can protect her!” With a short, sharp exhalation, Jeremiah, supported by his bodyguard, hobbled out of the mansion, dragging his injured left leg behind him.
“Ray-Ray, I want to apologize on behalf of my brother. You’ve been through a lot. Please accept this emerald bracelet as a small token of my compensation.”
Layla spoke with a face full of apologies.
“I can accept your apology, but brace yourself as this is going to be a tough battle. I will fight against Jeremiah to the end,” Raylee warned with a blank expression. She accepted the emerald bracelet and departed.
As soon as she stepped out of the mansion, her gaze was immediately drawn to a little kitten with an injured leg. The little kitten bore a striking resemblance to her previous ragdoll cat, Biscuit. Coupled with its injuries, it immediately stirred her emotions. She couldn’t help but reach out to grab it as the little kitten scampered off. Raylee relentlessly pursued it.
By the time she caught it, she had no idea where she was. She looked around in confusion; the paths around her seemed endless, like a labyrinth. Lorimer Estate was renowned throughout Fexburgh for its extravagant architecture and vast grounds. The head of the Lorimer family’s wife and mistress, along with three generations of relatives, all resided here. For instance, the sector where Layla and Jeremiah lived was situated on the southern side of the estate, known as Winden Manor.
Raylee followed a narrow path to its end, where she saw a sign hanging in front of a mansion. It read “Tiflbourne Manor.” Before she could even react, she heard a shrill shriek echoing down from the second floor.
“Who are you? You dare trespass into my estate? Are you seeking death?”
Raylee lifted her head, only to find that the person who had been screaming at her had already disappeared. In no time, the other party had descended the stairs. A woman dressed in red workout clothes and sporting a sleek ponytail stood before her, radiating an air of arrogance.
Raylee was taken aback for a moment, staring at the familiar face in front of her. Coupled with the sign “Tiflbourne Manor” at the front door, she quickly realized this was the legitimate daughter of the Lorimer family, born from the legal wife! This was the owner of the necklace that Raylee had supposedly “stolen” four years ago. Because of a single necklace, she was sentenced to four years in prison!
“You are… Let me think… I know who you are!” Tiffany furrowed her brows, lost in thought. After a moment, she exploded in anger. “I remember now! You’re Casimir’s fiancée! Raylee, the adopted daughter of the Goodridge family!”
“Ms. Tiffany, I hope you’ve been well,” Raylee said, a thoughtful expression on her face as she looked at Tiffany. “Also, just to clarify, I’m no longer Casimir’s fiancée.”
“You’re nothing but a thief? Having spent four years in prison, you’re now an ex-convict. Of course, Casimir wouldn’t want you anymore!” Tiffany provocatively stared at her. “Judging by your appearance, you’ve suffered quite a bit, haven’t you? Hmph. This is what you get for offending me. Let’s see if you dare to misbehave again in the future?”
Raylee frowned, offering no rebuttal. Whether it was four years ago or four years later, Tiffany was someone she couldn’t afford to provoke. At the very least, for now, she didn’t possess the ability to confront her.
“The emerald bracelet on your wrist…” Tiffany suddenly rushed over, grabbing and examining the emerald bracelet on Raylee’s wrist. In the end, she gritted her teeth and said angrily, “This emerald bracelet is a family heirloom from my grandmother? Was it that illegitimate daughter, Layla, who gave it to you?”
Raylee nodded, not denying it. Jealousy flashed in Tiffany’s eyes before she spoke resentfully: “Grandma didn’t give this heirloom to my mother or me, but instead gave it to the bastard offspring of a mistress! Now, it’s even ended up in the hands of a convict? What gives? Oh right, I heard you’re marrying Jeremiah, the illegitimate son. It makes sense now. How else would Layla, that wretched woman, keep you by his side? After all, that bastard isn’t normal. If you were to marry into that family, all that awaits you is suffering.”
Raylee didn’t utter a word. Instead, she pulled out the gun from her pocket. Tiffany, who had been acting all high and mighty, immediately grew wary when she saw Raylee draw a gun!
“Raylee, what do you think you’re doing? This is the Lorimer family’s territory, yet you dare to point a gun at me! Are you asking for trouble?” Tiffany took a few steps back, warily watching Raylee. In her memory, Raylee had always been a delicate yet somewhat willful young lady.