Chapter 9
I was helpless, so I picked up a stick to write “Thank you” on the ground.
Raymond raised an eyebrow.
“Can’t you speak?”
I ignored him, threw down the stick, and decisively walked away.
Back to the present.
It had been ten years since I first met Raymond.
Later, we met again at his wedding with Liora.
I thought Raymond wouldn’t recognize me.
Unexpectedly, he saw right through me at a glance.
Raymond sat on the sofa, legs crossed, teasing, “So, you can talk now?”
I answered calmly without blushing or gasping, “It’s healed.”
Raymond didn’t pry further and just said, “Oh.” Then he asked, “Since you can speak now, is there anything you want to tell me?”
My heart tightened. It felt like there was more to his words.
I had so much to tell him, but I had to consider the consequences.
With the kind of relationship we had, would he even believe me?
After thinking for a moment, I shook my head and lied, “Nothing.”
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Chapter 9
Raymond’s eyes darkened as he glanced at me coldly. “Go rest in your room first.”
I wanted to ask how he planned to handle us, but seeing his expression, I swallowed my words.
I left silently.
The next day, our whole family got into a seven–seater SUV and left Chicago.
Raymond didn’t come. He just told his assistant to escort us.
As expected, the car took the highway back to Los Angeles.
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I thought I’d never set foot in here again this lifetime, but fate had other plans.
Back in Los Angeles, Raymond placed us in his manor villa.
I’d heard before that Raymond had reserved the best spot in the company’s new development for himself–a private courtyard called “Lagoon Pavilion.” It was his personal sanctuary, so private that even his family wasn’t allowed in without permission.
Cedric and Yvonne ran around happily in the yard, but I couldn’t relax.
My mother quietly asked, “What’s going on between you and Mr. Merrick? Does he know?”
I answered uncertainly, “I’m not sure. I don’t dare tell him directly.”
My mother sighed, “Don’t make the same mistake I did–being clueless until the wife showed up at my door, and everything hit me all at once.”
My mind was full of thoughts.
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Chapter 9
A few days later, when I learned Raymond was back, I gathered my courage to find him in the study.
“Mr. Merrick, thank you for your care. But the kids are too mischievous. I’m afraid they’ll trouble you. Could we maybe move somewhere else?”
If outsiders found out Raymond was letting a woman with two kids stay in his villa, how many rumors would that stir up?
I didn’t care what people said.
But Raymond couldn’t afford that.
Besides, if Liora found out, she’d definitely try to kill us!
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Raymond was focused on his computer and said lightly, “Where do you want to go? This place has perfect security–no unwanted visitors get in.”
I clenched my fists and said, “Mr. Merrick, I can’t just live off you for free. Maybe you can give me some work? I’m fine with hard or dirty jobs.”
He glanced at me sideways.
“Do I need someone to do manual labor here?”
“But we…”
“Joanne,” Raymond cut me off. “I always thought you were straightforward, said what you meant. Don’t beat around the bush.”
How I wished I could be straightforward!
But now I had a weakness.
I had to protect my kids!
If it were only my life, I wouldn’t mind.
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Chapter 9
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I risked it. “Mr. Merrick, I just don’t want to ruin your reputation! If you’re only taking care of us because of Mrs. Merrick’s orders, could you place us somewhere far from Los Angeles? Even if it’s remote, that’s fine!”
Raymond’s tone darkened.
“If it’s no problem for you, what about the two kids? Should they suffer?”
–
“Suffering is better than losing their lives!”
Raymond closed his laptop and stood up.
His shadow loomed over me.
I stubbornly looked up to meet his
gaze.
At that moment, his eyes were unreadable–anger mixed with restraint and even a trace of pity.
After a few moments, he sighed and asked, “You don’t trust me? Think I can’t even keep you all alive?”
I didn’t want to be presumptuous, but I answered firmly, “Mr. Merrick, you’re not family. I can’t accept your care.”
Raymond opened his mouth to say something but swallowed it back.
He neither agreed nor denied it. “Just wait and see.”
I didn’t know what he meant by “wait and see.”
The next day, someone delivered a batch of luxury brand clothes.
There were kids‘ clothes and women’s clothes, complete with shoes, hats, bags, and accessories.
