Chapter 98: Becoming Just Like Them

“What?” Raylee gasped, her face turning pale with shock. “Sentenced to death for murder? Running illegal businesses in East Aploth for years? Why didn’t you tell me about his past sooner!”

Casimir furrowed his brows, his expression serious. “That’s all in the past. Over the last two years, he’s been managing Lorimer Group’s domestic business and seemed perfectly normal. I thought he had changed for the better, so I didn’t bring it up. Mr. Victor had a certain affection for his illegitimate son and made it clear that he wouldn’t tolerate any rumor or criticism of Jeremiah’s past. Over time, people simply stopped talking about it.”

“Is that just a rumor? It’s the truth!” Raylee couldn’t believe what she was hearing. Everyone had warned her, telling her that Jeremiah was no good, but they had only offered vague explanations about his broken engagement with his fiancée. The whereabouts of his fiancée remained shrouded in conspiracy theories and hearsay. Even though Shanice had once mentioned something about East Aploth, it was merely a vague suspicion at best.

Raylee had always dismissed it, believing that everything surrounding Jeremiah was nothing more than baseless rumors. Without concrete evidence, she saw no reason to trust such claims.

It wasn’t until two days ago, when she accidentally uncovered a secret in the collection room, that she realized Jeremiah was far from an ordinary man. But by then, it was too late. She had already been kidnapped to East Aploth.

“What good would it have done to tell you?” Samuel said with a huff. “You wouldn’t have believed us anyway! Didn’t Shanice warn you the day you fell off the cliff? Did you even listen? You were so blinded by your dream of marrying into wealth and transforming your life, nothing we said would’ve made a difference!”

“You knew about all of this?” Raylee asked incredulously. “So, your mom is aware…”

The woman she had called her mother for eighteen years had knowingly allowed her to marry a man who had served time in prison for murder. For their own personal gain, her so-called family members had completely disregarded her well-being, carelessly pushing her into harm’s way without a second thought.

Raylee felt a sharp sting in her chest, consumed by the bitter realization that her entire existence felt like a cruel joke. Samuel didn’t deny it.

“At least you know now. Now that you’ve seen the man for who he truly is, do you still want to be with him?”

At that moment, Alaric and Harriet arrived to visit Raylee.

“Oh my goodness! Ray-Ray, how did you end up like this?” Harriet cried out when she saw her swollen face. Tears welled up in her eyes. “Jeremiah is truly heartless. How could he do this to you? Poor Ray-Ray…”

Watching Harriet’s display of heartbreak, Raylee let out a bitter, sarcastic laugh. Even now, every word she spoke or slightest movement of her face sent waves of searing pain through her torn muscles and skin. Yet, she couldn’t hold back her fury, her voice trembling with anger as she lashed out, “Why did you introduce me to a murderer? Why did you stand by and watch me marry one? Why would you go to such lengths to ruin me, all for your own gain? Is it because I’m not your biological child? Does that give you the right to hurt me so recklessly? Have you ever even thought of me as a human being?”

Harriet, stunned by the reprimand, immediately stopped crying. Guilt filled her gaze as she stammered, “Ray-Ray, how could you think that? You may not be my biological child, but I raised you! I could hurt anyone, but never the child I brought up with my own hands!”

3:00 PM

Chapter 98: Becoming Just Like Them

“Calm down? How can I possibly calm down? We’re talking about a murderer!” Kaylee shouted, her facial muscles quivering with rage.

With teary eyes, Harriet explained, “Ray-Ray, listen to me. When he was sentenced to death for murder, he was just a brash, ignorant young man. He’s realized his mistakes now. Even though Mr. Victor saved him years ago, he sent him to the East Aplothian region to fend for himself. He didn’t perish there but returned to the Lorimer family, proving he had turned over a new leaf.”

“Turned over a new leaf? Realized his mistakes?” Raylee’s anger flared as she grabbed Harriet’s arm, her entire being radiating fury. “He didn’t die in East Aploth because he became one of them! He assimilated into that haven for criminals, becoming just like them. It has nothing to do with turning over a new leaf or realizing his mistakes!”

Harriet winced as Raylee’s grip tightened, her arm throbbing in pain. Yet, she endured it, her voice steady as she continued to reason. “Ray-Ray, you can’t assume he’ll kill again just because he has killed before. Nobody is perfect. Everyone deserves an opportunity to rectify their mistakes. Even if they don’t make things right immediately, they might in the future.”

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