Chapter 199: Where Is Your Proof?

“I’m thirsty. Why can’t I drink?” Raylee replied coolly, taking a deliberate sip. “The coffee isn’t that great, though. Has the quality gone downhill, or did someone scam you?”

Alaric slammed his hand on the table in frustration. “I didn’t ask for your opinion on my coffee!” He angrily shoved a tablet in front of Raylee and continued, “Waverly’s humiliating moment at the party was caught on camera and posted online, and now she’s the laughingstock of the entire internet!”

Raylee looked up at him with feigned innocence. “And? What does that have to do with me? I didn’t take the photo, nor did I share it. If you’re looking for someone to blame, then find the one who took the picture.”

Harriet abruptly stood up, her voice hoarse, a clear sign she’d been crying. “Ray—Ray, how can you be so calm about it? Waverly was so distraught by what happened at the party that she tried to end her life by running into a wall!”

“So she hit a rough patch, and now she’s ready to throw in the towel? Thinking about ending it all? Should I have done the same a thousand times over after surviving four years in prison and all the horrors that came with it?” Raylee scoffed, her tone biting. “People can’t just live in their little bubbles forever. She needs to face reality. She’s a grown woman, but her mental strength is so fragile. You might be able to protect her for now, but can you do it for the rest of her life? Or are you planning to take her down with you when you’re gone?”

Her sharp sarcasm left Alaric and Harriet exasperated. Seething with rage, Alaric raised his hand, ready to strike her. But Raylee was quicker, sidestepping the attempt. She let out a cold chuckle.

“Is that all you’ve got? Can’t win an argument, so you resort to violence? And you call yourself the Chairman of the Goodridge Group. Do you also throw punches to make your point during board meetings? Waverly’s truly lucky. Not only does she have Casimir and Samuel wrapped around her finger, but she’s also got all of you backing her no matter what. Yet here I am, speaking a few uncomfortable truths, and you all lose your minds rushing to protect her.”

Fuming, Alaric shouted, “You know exactly why I’m angry! You framed Waverly and drove her to the brink of suicide! Not only do you show no remorse, but now you’re spewing such insensitive remarks. You’re venomous, so malicious it’s beyond cure!”

A cold, mocking smile played on Raylee’s lips. “And what does her suicide attempt have to do with me? Mr. Goodridge, watch your words, or you might end up facing a slander lawsuit. My emotional strength isn’t exactly unshakable either, you know. But unlike Waverly, I don’t fall apart over every little setback. I’ve learned to put logic above emotions, even if it means letting go of family ties for the bigger picture.”

Harriet’s face grew grim, her voice stern as she interjected, “We’re not making baseless claims! If you hadn’t deceived Waverly into attending Tiffany’s birthday party, none of this would have happened!”

Raylee let out a light laugh, unfazed. “Deceive Waverly into attending the party? Where’s your proof? If you don’t have any, maybe you should quit tossing around baseless accusations. Or is making stuff up just a trademark of the Goodridge family? I mean, didn’t you all accuse me of stealing the necklace back then without a shred of proof?”

“You want proof?” A voice, brimming with fury, suddenly came from the stairs. Samuel appeared, his expression dark with arrogance and indignation, fueled by the aftermath of provocation. He stormed forward.

“Fine, I’ll give you proof that will convince you completely!”

Raylee met his burning gaze without a hint of fear. Her eyes locked on his as she replied coolly, “Sure, I’m curious what proof you could possibly have that would truly convince me.”

Samuel’s face twisted with anger as he shot back, “The ruby necklace Waverly wore was originally a gift from Casimir for you. So, how did it end up with Waverly? You used your connection with Casimir’s assistant to collude with him, tricking Waverly into attending Tiffany’s birthday party.”

Raylee’s gaze was piercing, cutting right through his accusations. “Mr. Goodridge, it’s impressive how you can ask and answer your own questions like that. But how does any of that count as actual proof? Maybe the assistant gave the necklace to Waverly by mistake. After all, she’s the one engaged to Casimir. If there was a miscommunication, don’t go blaming me for it.”