Chapter 6 Insincere Gestures

Samuel was at a loss for words. Casimir's words hit hard because they were true. Four years ago, he had made a tough call to protect his family's interests and keep Raylee from implicating the family. He publicly declared to the Lorimer family that Raylee had no ties with the Goodridge family anymore, leaving her without their protection. Could she have stayed safe without that shield? The realization that he had caused her suffering hit Samuel like a punch to the gut, leaving him breathless. Casimir patted his shoulder and said, “It's a miracle Raylee made it back alive. Stop playing favorites and figure out how you're going to make it up to her!” After he spoke, he let out a heavy sigh. He was one of the offenders. He wanted to make it up to Raylee too. His eyes darkened as he muttered to himself in a defeated tone, “She kept calling me 'Mr. Sutherland' all day.” Samuel's dark eyes showed a hint of pain as he said, “She kept calling me 'Mr. Goodridge' too.” Both of them sighed deeply. When their eyes met again, it was a glaring contest, each unable to bear the other's gaze. Samuel warned sternly, “How to make amends is my business. Stay away from Raylee! If you even think about hurting Waverly, just wait and see what I'll do to you. Don't think your status as the Sutherland heir scares me!” Casimir let out a scornful laugh, then turned around and walked away, ignoring Samuel. Samuel was on the verge of exploding with frustration. He grew up with Casimir and was very familiar with his temperament. Once he had made up his mind about something or someone, he wouldn't easily give up. Interfering wasn't an option, so Samuel could only keep a close eye on Raylee and make sure she didn't become the other woman. As they left the hotel, Samuel caught up to Casimir and blocked his path. His tone softened noticeably as he said, “I remember you had a childhood friend named Percival Shapiro. He's a renowned international medical professor with impressive skills.” Casimir furrowed his brow. “Yeah, what's up?” “Could you possibly get in touch with him for me? I'd like him to treat Ray-Ray's injuries.” Casimir shook his head. “I doubt it. We haven't been in touch for many years now. Plus, he's overseas and probably too busy to deal with me. However, I do know other experts. Want me to introduce you?” “Forget it, I'll reach out to another doctor.” A meaningful smile played at the corners of Casimir's mouth as he watched Samuel walk away. He got into his car and made a phone call. “You b*stard, I called you an hour ago. Why didn't you pick up? Where are you now?” Casimir asked, clearly annoyed. “I'm in Jexburgh, just finishing a surgery! What's up, Casimir? What's so urgent that you needed to find me?” Ignoring his tired tone, Casimir commanded, “I need you to go to Room 8302 at Seagull Hotel and check on a sick girl right now.” Percival asked, “Casimir, is this girl some kind of important figure?” “My ex-fiancée. She got into some trouble a few years ago and just got released. She has quite a few injuries. Can you check on her?” There was a prolonged silence on the other end of the phone. Percival was utterly speechless. “Casimir, you do realize that I'm a highly sought-after medical professor, right? You wouldn't believe the number of big shots who line up for my consultations.” He couldn't believe he was actually expected to make a house call to treat a criminal who had just been released from prison. “You don't want to go? Fine, I'll transfer your next round of funding for the lab in Pudrana later. Bye!” Caught in a tight spot, Percival quickly changed his tune. “No, no, no, Casimir, of course I'll go. After all, we've been friends since childhood. It's my duty to help a friend in need, no matter what it takes.” Thus, Percival, who had just stepped off the operating table, didn't dare waste a moment. He immediately rushed to the hotel where Raylee was staying. Raylee was resting at the hotel when a girl knocked on her door, introducing herself as a caregiver. “Hello, may I confirm if you are Ms. Raylee Goodridge? I'm Sharon Carter, the personal caregiver Mr. Goodridge has hired to take care of you.” “Mr. Goodridge? Samuel?” Raylee furrowed her brows. The caregiver nodded and entered the room without waiting for permission. Raylee could only feel the irony and absurdity of it all. What exactly does Samuel take me for? After deeply hurting me, is he now trying to make amends? Did he really think that a little kindness could make up for the pain I endured during four years of imprisonment? I don't need such insincere gestures! The only person in the entire Goodridge family I care about is Grandma! Given her deep-seated resentment toward the Goodridge family, it was only natural for her anger to spill over onto everything associated with them, including the caregiver they had hired. Raylee was about to dismiss the caregiver, pointing toward the door, when a man in a white lab coat arrived. He introduced himself, “Hello, Ms. Goodridge. I'm a friend of Casimir. My name is Percival Shapiro. I'm also a dermatologist, and he asked me to come and check on your health.” Raylee fell into silence. How interesting! One arranged for me a caregiver, and the other found me a doctor. They are competing to offer me kindness. Are they really trying to make amends for the harm they've caused? Or are they simply trying to fill the selfish void within their own hearts? Sorry, but I'll never accept their kindness. I'd rather die! The caregiver looked at Percival and immediately recognized him. “Are you the renowned medical professor, Percival Shapiro? My goodness, I can't believe such an esteemed doctor would make house calls to see patients!” Feeling slightly awkward, Percival gave a small nod. “It's me.” He initially assumed that Raylee would feel honored and grateful, but what he heard instead made him question his entire existence. “Get out,” she said. “Even if I were on my deathbed, I wouldn't want you to be the one to treat me.” Raylee's tone was indifferent, and her eyes held a thick layer of mockery as if she didn't regard anyone with importance. Percival was stunned. Before he could react, Raylee had already pushed him and the caregiver out of the room. With a cold voice, she said, “Both of you, get out. Go back and tell Samuel and Casimir to stay as far away from me as possible! Never bother me again!” The door to the room was slammed shut. Both the caregiver and Percival were left bewildered. For Percival, a top-tier medical professor, personally visiting an ex-convict to provide medical care only to be treated so rudely was a blow he couldn't bear. He immediately dialed Casimir's number to complain. The caregiver, on the other hand, informed Samuel about the situation. Inside the room, among the items the caregiver had brought were a phone, a bank card, and a small amount of cash. Raylee only took the phone. Vera was still in the hospital. She needed a phone to keep in constant contact with the hospital. Upon learning that Vera was still unconscious after surgery, everyone from the Goodridge family had left, leaving only a single caregiver to keep watch. Raylee hurriedly rushed to the hospital. After four years apart, Vera's visage still held the same kindness, but she had noticeably aged. At eighty years old, her hair was speckled with white, and her face was etched with countless lines and wrinkles. When Raylee was young, both Alaric and Harriet had been exceptionally busy, and Samuel had been heavily burdened with his studies. It would be fair to say that Vera had single-handedly raised her. She held deep affection for Vera. During her time in prison, there wasn't a day that she didn't think of her. She was terrified that she might not live to see her again. After keeping vigil at the bedside for three hours, Raylee left the hospital, only after she had repeatedly instructed the caregiver to take good care of Vera. Now that she was released from prison, aside from Vera, she didn't want to have any connections with the Goodridge family anymore. She wouldn't use the money from the Goodridge family. She intended to return the phone once she earned enough money. At that moment, she needed to find a job that could support her livelihood. Yet, she had no skills to offer, and as a recent ex-convict, she simply couldn't find any decent job. She searched all around. Everyone saw her with a crippled leg, her face gaunt and sallow as if she had been severely ill, and they rejected her outright.