Chapter 148: The Future of Our Family Depends on You

“But I can’t just stand by and watch you walk into danger! I can’t…” Shanice was sobbing when the Goodridge family arrived.

Waverly rushed over, her eyes red. She grabbed Raylee’s hand. “Raylee, we came to see you off,” she said, relieved. “Otherwise, who knows when we’d see you again…”

“If you have nothing nice to say, then just keep quiet. No one’s stopping you from staying silent,” Raylee said coldly, pulling her hand away.

Waverly stiffened awkwardly. “Raylee, even now, you won’t let the past go?” she said, her voice cracking. “We’re both our parents’ children. Can’t we live in harmony?”

Raylee looked at her mockingly. “Sure, we can make peace. How about you come with me to Musmeynia?”

Waverly’s face paled. “I… I want to, but I don’t have a passport. I can’t go.”

“That’s a small issue. We can fix it. Worst case, you leave a little later,” Raylee said with a faint smile.

Harriet stepped in, her expression serious. “Ray—Ray, stop joking,” she said. “You know what kind of place Musmeynia is. I can’t let Wavy go with you.”

“Oh, so you know exactly what kind of place it is?” Raylee’s smile didn’t reach her eyes. “Then why didn’t you stop me from going?”

Harriet’s breath hitched, her face tinged with sorrow. “Ray—Ray, I didn’t want you to go either,” she said softly. “But Samuel said the people in Musmeynia specifically asked for you to bring back Jeremiah. It was urgent… We had no other choice. You were our only hope. Promise me, you’ll come back safe.”

Raylee averted her gaze. “Mrs. Goodridge, enough with the sarcastic remarks.”

“Raylee, Mom is just worried about you. Do you have to be so cold toward her?” Samuel scolded. “You’re the one who insisted on going. No one forced you. We’re family. None of us want to watch you walk into danger.”

“Oh, my dear family, my dear brother,” Raylee said, her voice laced with sarcasm. “Since you care so much, I just won’t go then.”

“Samuel, shut up!” Alaric barked. “You’re not a child anymore. Can’t you think before you speak? If Ray—Ray doesn’t go, do you have another solution? If the Lorimer family retaliates, will you take full responsibility, or will the whole family suffer?”

Samuel gritted his teeth. “There has to be another way. If Jeremiah dies… I’ll pay for it with my life!”

A slap landed across his face. Alaric’s eyes blazed with fury. “Are you insane? How did I raise such a fool?”

Harriet stepped in, trying to mediate. “Enough,” she said. “We’re here to see Ray—Ray off, not to argue.”

Alaric shot Samuel a sharp glare before turning to Raylee, his voice filled with gravity. “Ray—Ray, you must bring Jeremiah back safely. The future of the Goodridge family depends on you. If you succeed, I’ll transfer five percent of Goodridge Group’s shares to you.”

Five percent. A significant amount. It showed just how much weight Alaric placed on this mission. If she failed, the consequences would be severe. At the same time, it was a gesture of goodwill. If she safely brought Jeremiah back and married into the Lorimer family, those shares would be a valuable dowry. A strategic move—both retreating and advancing, all calculated to perfection.

Waverly’s face twisted with jealousy. She had spent years yearning for their approval, yet she hadn’t received a single share. Raylee, however, was promised five percent just like that. Despite Harriet and Alaric’s outward affection, she knew the truth. In the end, they always favored Samuel.

Kaylee understood the hidden message behind Alaric’s words. If she succeeded, everyone won. If she failed, she wouldn’t be around to worry about it. A cold smile curled at her lips, but she didn’t respond.

Raylee withdrew her hand. “What’s the point of saying this now?” she said indifferently. “Sorry, I have a plane to catch.”