Chapter 189: Ends of the Earth
Samuel said irritably, “Grandma, that was a close call. Of all places, why aim for my head? It was incredibly risky, you know?”
Vera angrily scolded, “So what if you’re dead? I don’t need a rebellious grandson like you! Also, you mentioned earlier that Ray—Ray went to Musmeynia a while ago. What’s the story with that?”
Samuel hesitated, glancing at Raylee and snorting. “Should you tell it, or should I?”
Raylee’s anger plummeted rapidly because Vera was there. She didn’t respond to Samuel’s words. Instead, she glared at him intently. “I’ve long severed ties with the Goodridge family, so you have no right to interfere in my affairs! No matter if Jeremiah is alive or dead, he remains my fiancé. In the future, if I hear you spreading rumors about him, don’t blame me if I retaliate against your dear little sister!”
“Do you really intend to mess with Wavy?” Samuel instantly turned into an overprotective brother. “I’m warning you. If you dare to harm Wavy, I will never let you off the hook!”
“Let’s wait and see, then!” Raylee said through gritted teeth. “Four years ago, she took everything from me, causing me to be imprisoned for four years. All my misfortunes are her doing. She is my enemy, and I will never let her off the hook!”
“You’ve got it all wrong, twisting the truth. How can you say Wavy took everything from you? Everything you had was actually hers in the first place!”
“Bullshit!” exclaimed Raylee, venting her inner resentment, oblivious to Vera’s presence. “I didn’t cause her to wander for eighteen years. Reprisal for a wrong should be directed at the perpetrator. She should seek out the one who started all this. Why come to me? After she returned, I never once considered causing her harm. I gave her everything I could possibly offer. To avoid her, I even moved to Goodridge Manor to live with Grandma. I won’t stand in the way of your family reunion. I don’t mind you bringing her home and sending me away. Even if you send me to the ends of the earth, I won’t hold grudges. However, why would she want to harm me? After four full years of imprisonment, my body is ruined, my spirit is shattered, my life is destroyed, and everything about me is ruined!”
In the end, Raylee broke down. She let out a heart-wrenching scream and roared, “I’m indeed seeking revenge on her, whether it’s pushing her down the stairs or any other method. In this lifetime, it’s either her death or my demise!”
Watching Raylee, who was as agitated as an enraged tiger, Samuel was taken aback. The words stuck in his throat, and he couldn’t utter a single sound.
Vera stood silently to the side, her eyes unknowingly rimmed with…xed.
Samuel opened his mouth, but finally, he said helplessly, “Calm down. On one hand, you accuse me of disturbing Grandma’s peace, yet on the other, you’re the one shouting at the top of your lungs. It’s truly one law for the rich and another for the…”
“I don’t think Ray-Ray is disturbing my peace at all. On the contrary, it’s you. Seeing you gives me a headache, you little brat.”
Under Vera’s vehement scolding, Samuel left Goodridge Manor.
Unable to hold back any longer, Kaylee threw herself into Vera’s arms and burst into tears.
“Kaylee, you’ve been wronged. Don’t be afraid. I’m here for you. Even if the sky were to fall, I’d be there to hold it up for you—”
As Vera sobbed, she gently patted Raylee’s back in an attempt to soothe her. Just like when she was a child, Kaylee sought solace in Vera’s arms whenever she felt heartbroken and upset.
She didn’t know how long she had cried or how many tears she had shed. All she felt was an endless stream of tears. All along, she had been pretending to be strong in front of Vera, trying not to share every detail, fearing that Vera’s old age might not withstand the shock. At that moment, however, she truly couldn’t bear it anymore.
She was teetering on the edge of emotional breakdown. Stung by Samuel’s provocation, she felt as though she was on the verge of collapse.
She deeply wished to mend fences with the Goodridge family, but the Goodridge family had only been harming her. She could never go back. Her body was impaired, and her spirit had shattered. She could no longer return to being the prominent young lady she once was. Her world was consumed by nothing but deep-seated hatred. She had initially thought that marrying Jeremiah, a powerful backer, would smooth the path for her own revenge. Unexpectedly, he met an untimely death. She was overwhelmed with sadness and resentment, blaming her fate for being so unjust.
Having cried until her voice grew hoarse, Kaylee finally stopped. She whimpered in a low voice, saying, “Grandma, I’m sorry for staining your clothes. I’m not a child anymore, yet I’m always on the brink of tears. Do you think I’m being immature?”
Vera tenderly took out her handkerchief to wipe away her tears, her heart aching with sympathy. “Raylee, you’ve kept so much to yourself. Why didn’t you share it with me sooner? How difficult it must be for you to keep this all bottled up inside. What if you can’t take it anymore? Tell me. What’s the story behind you going to Musmeynia? Was it Jeremiah who tricked you into going?”