Chapter 59: Wait for My Revenge

Raylee continued, “So, you made a fool of me to stop my marriage, to prevent my revenge, didn't you?”

“Like I said, I adjusted the dosage. There won't be any problems!” Samuel tried to appear nonchalant, adding, “I only wanted you to stay in the psychiatric hospital for a while, take medication to show minor symptoms, and build a psychiatric history. Then Jeremiah wouldn't marry you. I'm not as bad as you think. Honestly! Raylee, we've been like siblings for years. How could I bear to see you become a fool?”

Raylee clutched her chest, a wave of dizziness and disorientation washing over her. Intense anger, she realized, could be physically debilitating. She took a deep breath, striving for calm. Dying of frustration wasn't on her agenda.

Samuel pressed on, his pronouncements growing more grandiose. “More importantly, not marrying Jeremiah is a good thing. He's no prize. You only know a sliver of the bad things he's done abroad. The reality is far worse than you can imagine! Everyone in our circle knows. Only you're oblivious. I'm not afraid to tell you. Jeremiah, he—”

“Enough!” Raylee interrupted. “Belittling others to cover your sins. Samuel, you elevate yourself by degrading others!”

The depth of his deception filled her with regret—regret for ever meeting him, but more so for considering him a brother for eighteen years.

Samuel stubbornly retorted, “I know you don't like this. You think Jeremiah's wonderful because he's Lorimer family. But I'm telling the truth. Harsh truths are hard to hear. I have to say it, even if you don't want to listen!”

Harriet chimed in, “I think Samuel has a point. Raylee, I’ve known about Jeremiah’s situation for a while… At first, your father and I were hesitant, unsure if we should introduce you, fearing danger.”

“And you did it anyway,” Raylee sneered, her anger sharp. “It doesn't matter now. I've always been the one abandoned. After all, I'm not your real child, am I?”

Harriet’s heart pounded. “Raylee, don't think badly of us. Honestly, we introduced you without much hope. We were surprised he liked you.”

Alaric nodded gravely. “To be fair, your mother and I would have preferred he hadn't taken an interest. So, even if Samuel's methods were wrong, his intentions were good. He’s not entirely wicked.”

“Exactly! I did it for your own good!” Samuel agreed vehemently.

“Causing me harm under the guise of doing good. Please stop being so ‘good’ to me,” Raylee retorted icily.

Waverly wept, “If you’re angry, Raylee, hit or scold me. Samuel knows he's wrong, and Dad even slapped him. Please don't be mad at him anymore.”

Kaylee’s gaze flickered to Waverly, a hint of frost in her eyes. “Samuel, if Waverly were marrying Jeremiah, would you have committed her to a psychiatric hospital?”

“Of course not!” Samuel blurted, then stammered, “I meant, Waverly wouldn't become arrogant and domineering, ignoring her family because she married above her station. Nor would she marry a villain and endanger herself. She wouldn't worry her older brother so much!”

Raylee remained motionless, her gaze fixed on him, her eyes burning with escalating fury.

“Samuel, stop making excuses. I'll make this clear: whether I marry Jeremiah or not, I will never forgive you. As long as I live, you will have no peace. Wait for my revenge.”

Her voice was a low growl, her gaze unwavering. Despite her slight frame, she radiated a terrifying power. She stared at Samuel as if he were already dead. Harriet met her gaze, a chill running down her spine, unlike anything she'd ever felt.