Chapter 240: Loss After Loss
Observing Casimir’s frail and thin figure, it seemed as if he was shouldering the weight of immense pressure. Raylee couldn’t deceive herself; her heart was indeed aching. She had thought that after enduring four years of imprisonment, she had completely let go of the man she had loved for eighteen years. But now, seeing him endure what could only be described as an utter catastrophe, all for her sake, her once-deadened heart began to stir once again. She was human, after all. Since he was genuinely kind to her, she couldn’t possibly let him down.
“Casimir!” Raylee called out to him, stopping him in his tracks. “I don’t despise you or anything! I just want you to hold on! You must stay strong and keep going!”
Casimir turned around, presenting her with a smile that was both bitter and brilliant as he asked, “So, you’ll wait for me?”
“I won’t wait for you, so winning this battle is your only option! I have eleven percent of Goodridge Group’s shares in my hands. You can have them if it helps you.” Raylee had offered up the chips she held in her hands.
Casimir wore a face of disbelief. Once he had gathered his thoughts, he expressed his skepticism, saying, “Ray—Ray, are you really willing to help me? Don’t worry, I promise that I won’t let you lose! Once I’ve overcome this crisis, I’ll announce our marriage to the entire world!”
“All right; I’ll wait for you!” Raylee decided to take a gamble, betting on her own judgment and the integrity of the man in question.
A few days later, upon receiving a call from Percival, Raylee hesitated, but eventually answered.
“Is there something important, Dr. Shapiro?”
Percival let out a wry chuckle. “Can’t I call you if it’s not a matter of importance? Since when did such cautious behavior become necessary between friends? Why are you avoiding me as if I’m some sort of ferocious beast?”
Raylee sighed. “It’s my problem. I’m afraid that my presence might affect your friendship with Casimir. On top of that, I fear that Samuel would do something bad to you. Because you’re a great person, I can’t allow myself to drag you into such a mess.”
“Why should we care about how others feel? I just hope my presence brings you some joy, that’s all. I miss the times when we would eat chili con carne together with your laughter echoing freely around us,” Percival remarked with a sigh.
Raylee couldn’t help but tear up when she heard that.
“Dr. Shapiro, it’s you I worry about. I would never find peace in my life if you ever run into any obstacles or get hurt because…”
Overwhelmed with emotion yet feeling helpless, Percival could only try to comfort her by saying, “I’m sorry, Ray—Ray. I didn’t know that I would cause you so much stress. I called you today to let you know that I’m going abroad. There’s a research project overseas that requires my involvement. Given that it’s a confidential project, I probably won’t have much personal time, and they’ll likely take my phone away as well.”
“When are you leaving?” Raylee asked in surprise.
“I’m already at the airport, set to board the plane in two hours.”
“So soon?” Raylee glanced at the alarm clock. “I’ll go see you off.”
Percival declined, saying, “You won’t make it in time, Ray—Ray. I’m glad to have known you. Even though our time as friends…”
He continued, “…I’ll get in touch with a few of my students. I’m not sure when your condition will strike next, but hopefully, you’ll be able to hold on until I return. If you encounter problems you can’t solve, you can also talk to my students. They’ll find a way to get in touch with me, and I will rush back immediately to help you out. Take care now, Ray—Ray!”
He then ended the call. Upon hearing the monotonous tone of the call ending, two streaks of tears streamed down Raylee’s face without her realizing it. Is Percival really leaving? I feel as though I’ve just lost someone very significant to me. She covered her mouth, sobbing silently. She despised herself for not even having the qualifications to make friends. During this period, she had been avoiding Percival at all costs, yet he was always looking out for her. Even before he left, he made sure to arrange everything for her in advance.
She then texted him: Wait for me! After sending that message, Raylee stepped out the door without a moment’s hesitation and immediately hailed a cab to rush to the airport. She wanted to see Percival one last time. However, after rushing to the airport, she was unable to reach Percival anymore. He had already departed from her home country. Raylee slumped helplessly in the corner, hugging her knees tightly. She buried her face between them, crying until she was drenched in tears. She once believed that she would have a cherished friendship, only to end up losing Percival instead. At that moment, she truly understood what it meant to appreciate something only after losing it. With determination, she clenched her fists tightly and vowed resolutely to become stronger as quickly as possible. Once I gain the power to oppose the Goodridge family, I will no longer be threatened so easily!
At that moment, her phone rang. Upon answering the phone, Hazel’s voice came through, filled with urgency and worry as she exclaimed, “Ms. Raylee, we have a serious situation. Old Mrs. Goodridge suddenly had a heart attack. I’ve called for an ambulance, and we’re currently on our way to the hospital!”
“I’ll be right there!” Raylee immediately stood up, not even having the time to wipe away her tears as she rushed off to the hospital. What is going on today? First, Percival left, then Grandma fell ill and is being sent to the hospital.