Chapter 222: The Real Heiress
Raylee responded in a nonchalant tone, “I’m fine now. Thanks for your concern. If there’s nothing else, I’ll head back.”
“Wait… Let’s talk, Ray-Ray,” Casimir pleaded, a hint of desperation in his tone. “If there’s anything you’re unhappy about, feel free to share it with me. Unless it’s absolutely necessary, there’s no need to approach Percival.”
“Casimir, what do I need to say to convince you that we’re not in a relationship?” Raylee asked, visibly frustrated. “I didn’t expect you would be just as thick-headed as Samuel. Both of you never listen to explanations. Talking to you guys is seriously exhausting!”
“I’m convinced you two aren’t in a relationship, but you must have sensed Percival’s feelings for you, right?” Casimir’s words held an underlying meaning. “You two get along so well, so I’m afraid that sooner or later, you’ll start dating.”
“So what? Being able to be with Dr. Shapiro, who is such a catch, is a blessing for me,” Raylee retorted in a fit of pique. “This matter has nothing to do with you, so stop sticking your nose where it doesn’t belong! After all, you’re already engaged, Mr. Sutherland! Even if I were to marry someone else and have children, it would have nothing to do with you!”
“You know full well that I have no romantic feelings for Waverly, so why on earth would you bring it up?” Casimir was growing impatient, his handsome face taut with frustration.
Raylee stared at him with a mocking gaze. “No feelings? Mr. Sutherland, you may be able to lie with your eyes wide open, but I’m not blind! At Ms. Tiffany’s birthday party, I personally witnessed how you defended Waverly under the name of the Sutherland family. That profoundly moving scene, to be honest, nearly brought me to tears.”
Casimir urgently explained, “I had no choice. I couldn’t just stand by and watch as Tiffany took Waverly away. The consequences would have been unthinkable! However, my intention was solely to protect her, nothing more.”
With great enthusiasm, Raylee said, “Even in the worst-case scenario, wouldn’t it just mean being sent to jail? That would merely be a journey down the path I have already taken. I’ve managed to pull through, so why can’t she?”
“That’s easy for you to say,” blurted out Casimir. “Waverly is delicate and frail. Do you think she could handle being in prison?”
“Ha!” A sarcastic laugh escaped from Raylee’s lips. “Am I an impenetrable fortress in your eyes, Mr. Sutherland? After all, four years ago, you just stood there and watched as Tiffany took me away, not lifting a finger to help! Surely, you must have thought I was invincible, capable of enduring any form of torment and abuse, Mr. Sutherland! Well, I’m truly flattered. I never thought I was so strong in your eyes!”
She spoke with a laugh, yet by the end, her tone was tinged with a trace of sorrow. It was only natural for her to feel sorrowful. Four years ago, she was his fiancée, but he disregarded her well-being to protect another woman. He had heartlessly given up on her back then.
It felt as if a sudden searing pain had struck Casimir’s heart, a subtle ache lingering. He pinched the bridge of his nose and explained helplessly, “It wasn’t like that, Ray-Ray. You also hold a significant place in my heart. It’s just that the circumstances at the time were quite complex. I had no choice but to ensure Waverly’s safety.”
Raylee’s smile faded, her eyes revealing a trace of loneliness. “Playing favorites is just that, so why bother looking for an excuse? Well, look at the nonsense I’m spouting. As an adopted daughter, what right do I have to be the favored one, Mr. Sutherland? If it were me in your place, I would also do everything in my power to protect the real heiress. That way, I could justifiably break off our engagement, freeing you from a worthless woman.”
“How could you speak of yourself in such a manner? It has nothing to do with whether you’re a real or fake heiress.” Casimir gazed at her, his expression filled with deep affection. “Being an adopted daughter doesn’t make you any less valued. You’ve always held a special place in my heart, even more so than Waverly. I regret not being more thoughtful four years ago. I despise myself for not being strong enough to protect you as well. However, when it comes down to it, you still had to face the consequences of your own actions. If you hadn’t stolen the necklace, how could Tiffany have had any leverage over you?”
“I didn’t steal the necklace!” Raylee voiced out in anger. “You may favor Waverly, but you have no right to slander me. I’ve had enough of the four-year prison ordeal, and I won’t allow you to falsely accuse me anymore!”
“But I clearly saw it with my own eyes…” Casimir held his tongue.
He initially intended to mention the matter of the surveillance footage. However, as he watched Raylee’s emotions gradually become more intense, he couldn’t bear to add fuel to the fire.
Indeed, she had spent four years in prison, enduring all kinds of hardships. Even after her release, her health was no longer the same. Hence, he thought that even if she had committed a monumental mistake, it could be offset.