Shanice immediately pushed through the crowd, only to find Waverly standing at the edge of the balcony, threatening to take her own life. Once she recovered from the initial shock, Shanice clicked her tongue in irritation. “Damn, Waverly, what the hell are you doing? Have you completely lost your mind? If you’re going to drop dead, at least do it somewhere else, will you? You’re just spreading bad luck!”
Waverly was quietly sobbing, her face a picture of utter despair. She looked at Raylee with tear-filled eyes, completely lifeless and hopeless. “Raylee, if you insist on sending Casimir to Musmeynia, then I might as well die right here!” she cried. “If I lose the man I love, what’s the point of living?”
Shanice pinched the bridge of her nose and sighed. “I’ve said it a hundred times already—it was Casimir who insisted on going! Raylee never asked him to! Besides, just because he’s going there doesn’t mean he’s definitely going to die! You’re acting like he’s already in his grave! What, are you actually hoping something bad happens to my brother!”
Waverly wailed, “Musmeynia is too dangerous! If Casimir goes, it’s like sending him straight to his death! I absolutely cannot let him go! If you insist on making him leave, then I have no choice but to die!”
Raylee looked at her with an icy smirk. “Go ahead and jump then. Don’t you realize? I despise you. And honestly? I wouldn’t mind if you were dead.”
“If I die, how will you explain to Dad, Mom, and Samuel? Aren’t you scared at all?” Waverly let out a roar of anger, her posture still carrying a hint of arrogance, as if revealing this much would be enough to manipulate Raylee.
“Scared? Waverly, there are times when I think you’re quite the scheming bitch. But looking at you now, your foolishness is simply laughable.” Raylee gave a dismissive laugh. “I’ve already severed ties with the Goodridge family, so why do I need to explain anything to them? On the contrary, what about you? After finally returning to your family, could you really bear to give up your life as the wealthy heiress you are now!”
Waverly fell silent. How could she possibly bear to let go? Nevertheless, she refused to accept defeat. She was determined to reclaim the eighteen lost years of her life. She cried more. Only by marrying a man of Casimir’s caliber, a man of great ability and influence, could she ascend to Jesburgh’s elite circle.
“No. I’m in love with Casimir. For him, I’m willing to give everything!” Waverly declared, her eyes filled with unwavering determination. “If something were to happen to me, Casimir would definitely stay behind, right? I believe in his conscience. He would never abandon his fiancée.”
Shanice looked at Waverly with utter disgust. “Waverly, Casimir didn’t provoke you. If you want to die, go ahead, but don’t drag him into it. Moreover, your death will be quite convenient, as the engagement will be nullified. Our Sutherland family has no room for someone like you, who’s constantly threatening others with your life as if you’re a big shot.”
Raylee remained silent, walking over toward Waverly. Her eyes were filled with contempt, as though she were looking at a pathetic loser.
“Raylee, don’t go there,” Shanice urgently pleaded, pulling Raylee back. “If she really jumps, you’ll be implicated.”
“I’m not afraid. What worries could a person alone in the world possibly have?” Raylee insisted on moving forward.
Gazing down from the four-story building, Waverly shivered slightly with fear. “Don’t come any closer!” Where she was just a step away from Waverly, Raylee halted. A nonchalant half-smile played on her face as she said, “Actually, I’m not sure either. If you were in trouble, would Casimir stick around? Do you want me to help you confirm how much you mean to Casimir?”
After she finished speaking, the look in Raylee’s eyes turned sinister. She gazed at Waverly like a Grim Reaper. Waverly stared blankly at Raylee, the latter’s gaze sending chills down her spine. The suffocating sensation she felt left her completely taken aback.
“Do you want to gamble? Stake your life on it,” Raylee said, her voice icily detached as she continued to close the distance. A chill seeped into her words.
Waverly shook her head in terror. “Raylee, what are you planning to do? If you come any closer, I swear I’ll jump!”
Raylee glanced out toward the balcony. Her interest piqued, she began to speak. “Go ahead, jump. We’re on the fourth floor. Even if you don’t die, you’ll be severely injured. What good will it do if Casimir stays, then? How could the Sutherland family allow him to marry a woman with disabilities?”
Raylee’s face turned deathly pale. She glanced down at the balcony, timing her next move, ready to jump onto the air conditioning unit on the second floor. She was no fool, so how could she possibly let herself die or become disabled? All she wanted was to endure a bit of pain, just enough to achieve her goal of making Casimir stay.
Kaylee certainly wasn’t fooled by her tricks. She swiftly grabbed Waverly’s wrist, taking control of the situation herself. “Kaylee, what are you doing? Let go of me now!” Waverly was terrified, her body trembling in fear. She looked at Raylee with a pounding heart, her other hand gripping the railing tightly, afraid that she might fall.
If she chose where she would jump from the building herself, she could ensure she only sustained minor injuries. However, if Raylee were to push her, she would either die or be seriously incapacitated. In that case, her entire life would be ruined.
“What are you up to! Haven’t you felt it already? That’s right. I’m after your life!” Raylee gritted her teeth, glaring at Waverly. “Going to Musmeynia is practically a suicide mission anyway, and since you’ve presented yourself, how could I possibly pass up the chance for revenge?”
At that moment, the Goodridge family and Casimir, having heard the news, hurried over. Upon witnessing this scene, everyone in the Goodridge family was scared out of their wits. Upon seeing her saviors, Waverly, shivering, called out loudly for help, exclaiming, “Dad, Mom, Samuel, help me! Raylee is trying to push me down the stairs. I don’t want to die!”
“Raylee, what are you doing? If you don’t want to meet your end, let go of Wavy immediately!” Samuel bellowed.
Raylee glanced back at them, her gaze finally resting on Casimir. A smirk of mockery tugged at the corner of her lips as she said, “Mr. Sutherland, if something were to happen to your fiancée, would you stay to take care of her, or would you accompany me to Musmeynia?”
The mention of his name made Casimir’s expression turn serious. “Raylee, this is no time for jokes. Come back immediately.”
Raylee gripped Waverly’s hands tightly, giving the latter a forceful push backward. On the brink of death, Waverly let out a blood-curdling scream.