Chapter 170: Dead or Alive
Upon reflection, she thought it was truly terrifying. Raylee couldn’t come to terms with the reality, and she needed some solitude.
“Ray-Ray, why aren’t you talking? What exactly led to Jeremiah’s death? Also, what was his connection with Bradley?” Casimir asked anxiously.
Raylee, not wanting her suspicions to mislead Casimir, decided to change the subject.
“If Bradley wasn’t your bodyguard, then this matter would have nothing to do with you. However, let me reiterate. If you keep bothering me, don’t force me to run far away!”
Casimir was threatened. His tone was annoyed as he said, “So, now that Jeremiah is dead, you’re just going to run far away? Where do you plan on going?”
“I go to a place where I can’t find you! All that matters is that I won’t see you! I don’t love you anymore, regardless of whether Jeremiah is dead or alive. I’ve stopped loving you. You need to accept that reality!”
“Ray-Ray, is this truly how you feel?” A fleeting expression of desolation and loneliness suddenly crossed Casimir’s face.
“Yes. It’s my innermost feelings, so don’t pressure me!”
Raylee quickly walked to the side of the road and hailed a taxi, not even considering taking Casimir’s car.
At Goodridge Manor, exhausted, Raylee sat by the window in her room. The two-day journey to Musmeynia felt as if it had lasted a century. Until that moment, she couldn’t believe that Jeremiah, who was once so vibrantly alive, had vanished from this world.
Just a short while ago, he had whisked her away to East Aploth. It wasn’t long ago when she was still using evidence of his crimes to blackmail him. He, under duress, had already compromised, and everything was moving in a positive direction.
Yet, fate was unjust. The separation of life and death, a torment too unbearable for one’s existence, left a lasting imprint on Raylee’s heart that she struggled to let go.
Raylee couldn’t help but speculate. Had I not ventured to Musmeynia, had it not been for my protection, would Jeremiah have met his untimely end so soon? Even if the drug addiction was so severe that he was in unbearable pain, given his capabilities, he would still have the ability to protect himself, right?
Right then, Vera entered, seeing her face stained with tears. With a heart full of distress, she drew her into an embrace, saying, “My sweet granddaughter, Jeremiah has passed away. Are you very upset?”
“Grandma, you already knew?” Wiping her face, Raylee only then realized how many tears she had unknowingly shed.
Life was unpredictable. Just a month prior, she despised Jeremiah to the point of wishing him dead. At that moment, however, she was devastated by his death.
With all the commotion your father’s been causing, it didn’t take much to find out,” Vera gently ruffled her hair with affection. “Don’t worry. It’s just that Jeremiah was not destined for a long life, nor was he fortunate enough to marry you. Even though he’s gone, there are countless others like him out there. Jexburgh is such a vast city, so there’s no shortage of eligible bachelors who would be a great match for you. Forget about that abusive man. I’ll help you find someone better.”
Kaylee was nonplussed. “Just because he’s gone doesn’t mean I’m immediately on the hunt. I’m not that desperate to get married, Grandma. I’d rather spend more time with you. After all, no man is as important as you.”
“You silly girl… I already have one foot in the grave. All I want in my remaining years is to find you a shoulder to lean on.” Vera let out a deep sigh. “I initially thought that Jeremiah could be your strong pillar of support. Turns out, not only was he… like a waste to pair him with that girl, Waverly. Perhaps I should give him back to you. With him by your side in this life to protect you. I could rest in peace even in death.”
Raylee quickly objected, saying, “Grandma, let’s forget about Casimir. Our destiny together has reached its end. Please find someone else for me. This time, you must personally oversee the matter and ensure you find a good one for me.”
The following day, as soon as Raylee woke up, the Goodridge family’s housekeeper came over to invite her to visit the Goodridge residence. She didn’t refuse. After all, since Jeremiah had passed away, both Alaric and Harriet would undoubtedly expect an explanation from her. Even if she had experienced life and death and Jeremiah’s demise wasn’t her doing, she also needed to provide an explanation. She had practically spent the entire night awake. Her mood and condition were quite poor.
Upon her arrival at the Goodridge residence, the first thing Harriet was concerned about wasn’t the injury on her face, nor was it her physical condition. Instead, she cut straight to the chase and asked, “Ray-Ray, how did Jeremiah die? Why did Mr. Victor announce that he wouldn’t cause trouble for you or for the Goodridge family? There must be more to this situation.”
Raylee furrowed her brows when she heard that. I only told Mr. Victor about preserving my own life. I didn’t say anything about not causing trouble for the Goodridge family. How did I, by some strange chance, end up lending the Goodridge family a helping hand? Tsk! This is really unsatisfying!
“You know what sort of a place Musmeynia is, right? I filled with outlaws. Isn’t it normal for Jeremiah to meet his end in their hands?” Raylee coldly glared at her. “Since Mr. Victor won’t make things difficult for you, isn’t that a good thing? Of course, if you’re eager to accompany Jeremiah to his grave, I won’t stop you,” Raylee said.