Chapter 198: A Tough Confrontation
Casimir continued, “No one knows the truth better than I do! But despite the lack of solid evidence, the Lorimer family refused to back down. Meanwhile, in her desperation to clear her name, Raylee placed the blame squarely on Waverly. To protect Waverly, the Goodridge family stood united in accusing Raylee, leaving the Lorimer family to take her away without hesitation. I did try my best back then…”
As Casimir finished speaking, the weight of guilt in his eyes was undeniable. He had done everything he could, but afterward, he hadn’t shown the same dedication to protecting Raylee. It was a regret he would carry for the rest of his life.
“And what’s the truth? Did the surveillance footage you destroyed capture Raylee stealing the necklace?” Shanice asked pointedly.
“I only glanced at it. It was just a silhouette, wearing clothes identical to Raylee’s.”
Shanice’s irritation flared. “You accused Raylee of stealing based on a silhouette and some matching clothes? That seems like a pretty flimsy conclusion, don’t you think? No matter what, I can’t believe Raylee was a thief. Even when we didn’t see eye to eye, I knew her to be someone with integrity. She’d never lower herself to something as petty as theft.”
Her words struck a chord, leaving Casimir in doubt. Was I really wrong about Raylee? But the silhouette of the thief from all those years ago, along with the clothes she wore, truly matched hers. Yet, even if she were guilty of theft, enduring four years in prison would have been more than enough to atone for even the most severe crimes, such as murder or arson.
After leaving Majencio Hotel, Raylee hailed a cab to return to Goodridge Manor. As the car weaved through the city, she gazed silently out the window at the countless lights twinkling from homes, her tears falling unnoticed. Her hands and feet were icy cold, and a lump formed in her throat. Her vacant eyes gave her the appearance of a lifeless doll. Her mind lingered on the banquet scene where Casimir and Samuel had been blinded by rage in defense of Waverly. The memory left her heart feeling as though it had been torn apart, battered beyond recognition. She realized that absolute favoritism did exist, but all of it belonged solely to Waverly.
Her thoughts drifted back to the events of four years prior. Ever since Waverly’s return to the Goodridge family, she had taken everything that had once been Raylee’s—the love of her parents, the affection of her brother, and even the devotion of her fiancé. She was like an abandoned stray dog, shunned by the world. Yet, in truth, she didn’t care. She had always known that everything she once had had rightfully belonged to Waverly. She could give it all back to her without resentment. Though she often vented about the unfairness of life, she had never harbored ill will toward Waverly. She believed she had grown mature enough to move on, yet the false accusations of theft continued to linger, haunting her endlessly.
That evening, everything became painfully clear to Raylee. It turned out, she hadn’t needed to go to prison after all. She endured four years of imprisonment not because of her actions; it was because no one had been willing to fight for her with the same fervor. This was the stark reality. Waverly was, without a doubt, the cherished favorite—the one everyone protected and adored. Raylee, on the other hand, had no one to stand up for her. She was cast aside, abandoned to the horrors of prison, left at the mercy of tormentors who inflicted suffering upon her without restraint. Her life and death were treated as insignificant, trampled on by anyone who pleased.
Raylee couldn’t help but let her mind wander. If only, back then, Casimir and Samuel had defended her with the same unwavering determination they showed for Waverly that night, could she have avoided those four years in prison? Perhaps her body, soul, and spirit would have remained whole. Even without the Goodridge family, even if she was no longer the eldest daughter of the Goodridge family, her life might have still been intact. Unfortunately, the past was unchangeable. Her status as a fake heiress meant favoritism was never hers to claim.
Raylee closed her eyes, forcing herself to hold back her tears. She wasn’t Waverly. Her tears wouldn’t evoke sympathy or warmth from anyone. Instead, they only deepened her feelings of worthlessness and failure.
When she arrived at the entrance of Goodridge Manor, she was stopped by the housekeeper. It was clear she had been stationed there, ready to confront her after everything that had transpired.
“Ms. Raylee, Mr. and Mrs. Goodridge have requested your return. They specifically instructed that Old Mrs. Goodridge should not be disturbed.”
“All right,” Raylee replied without hesitation. More than anyone else in the Goodridge family, she was determined to preserve Vera’s peace.
As soon as Raylee stepped into the Goodridge residence, a wave of tension hit her. From a distance, she noticed Alaric and Harriet seated stiffly in the center of the couch. It was clear she was about to face a tough confrontation, but she stood her ground, showing no hint of hesitation. Entering the living room, Raylee casually took a seat without waiting for an invitation. She even reached for the cup on the coffee table and poured herself some coffee. With her calm and unbothered demeanor, one might have mistaken her for a guest.
Alaric’s fury was palpable. “Raylee! How dare you drink my coffee?”