In the presidential suite of Wolf Group Hotel, Gavin stared at Archer in surprise, “What are you doing here in B city?”
“Business trip,” Archer simply replied.
“What business? Don’t you already have someone employed for this specific reason?”
“I’m planning to set up a company here, and I’m already partway through the process.”
Although confused, Gavin asked with a soft smile, “Really? Are you planning to put Raymond in charge of this company as a practice?”
“No,” Archer shook his head. “I’m planning to send him abroad.”
“What?” Gavin raised his voice. “Why? He has already been abroad for so many years!”
“Do I still need to explain myself?” Archer looked at Gavin coldly. “Don’t you remember what I told you when you insisted on me marrying Savannah?”
Of course, Gavin didn’t forget. When Archer agreed to marry Savannah, he had made it very clear that he wouldn’t share any of his assets obtained before marriage with Savannah. Also, the child she bore would never receive any fatherly love or inherit any wealth from him.
All this time, Gavin thought Archer was only joking. He didn’t anticipate that Archer hadn’t changed his mind even if more than twenty years had passed.
Barely suppressing his anger, Gavin bellowed, “Archer, Raymond has done nothing to deserve this! Your problem with Savannah has nothing to do with him! You can’t treat him like this.”
“I’ve already made up my mind about this, so don’t try telling me otherwise,” Archer wasn’t swayed by his father’s outburst. “Now, I came here today because I need you to persuade Raymond to go abroad.”
“Can’t you see him in a better light? What on earth has he done wrong?”
“Nothing. But his mom killed the woman I loved most.”
Upon hearing Archer’s words, Gavin’s face changed. He didn’t anticipate Archer to find out the truth about Natalie’s death, which they had so carefully concealed.
The corner of Archer’s lips curled into a sardonic smile, and he continued, “Dad, what were you thinking, asking me to marry such a vicious woman? Do you think the Saunders family hadn’t got enough on our plate?”
At that, Gavin was rendered speechless. After a long silence, he finally said, “Archer, Natalie’s death had long passed with no conclusive evidence. Even if Savannah really orchestrated her death, you have no evidence to prove this. You’d better think twice before you act.”
“Don’t you worry. I’ll find the evidence and serve her right!”
“What about our reputations? Of the Saunders and Howard family?”
“What is so important about reputation?” Archer sneered. “Reputation means nothing to me, Dad. I feel so deserted and lonely. To be honest, I’m just waiting for death’s embrace.”
“But Raymond and I are here for you!”
“No, I’m on my own! Raymond has nothing to do with me. As for you, you’ve neglected me my entire life for the sake of the family, the company, and the profits you gained. I’ve been destined to be a loner since the day you made Savannah walk into my life!”
Gavin was stunned into silence at what he heard. Meanwhile, Archer’s face remained cold, “Dad, I trust you’ll find a way to make Raymond leave without putting up a fight, won’t you?” Then, he stood up to leave.
Hayden called after him, “Archer, you aren’t entirely alone. Even if you refuse to acknowledge Raymond as your son, or me as your father, there are still other families.”
“And by that, do you mean Raelyn? I no longer consider her my sister ever since she and Savannah joined forces!”
Seeing how detached Archer was from the family, Gavin was ashamed. He began to think if he really made a mistake years ago.
Over the years, Archer’s attitude towards Savannah hadn’t changed a bit, and he also hadn’t the slightest affection for Raymond. Gavin just assumed that Archer would eventually grow to love Savannah since she came from a reputable family.
But after seeing how Archer had spent his days these past decades, only now did Gavin realize how naive he was.
He wouldn’t have insisted on marrying Archer with Savannah if he had known Archer would act like a widower with no earthly desire for so many years. But, there was no use crying over spilled milk.
Then, Gavin remembered Valeria, who was such a kind and sweet girl. He felt it necessary to tell Archer about her so that he wouldn’t be so pessimistic.
“No, not Raelyn. Someone much more important… She…”
Before Gavin could finish, he was interrupted by the doorbell, and in came Savannah with Raymond.
Savannah looked pleasantly surprised to see Archer here. Smiling sweetly, she tried to be a fitting wife and asked, “When did you arrive?”
However, Archer ignored her question and instead glanced past her to stare fixedly at Raymond, who was behind her.
And Raymond was looking at him too. Noticing that Archer had no intention of answering Savannah, Raymond was a little unhappy, “Dad, Mom asked you a question.”
Archer turned a deaf ear to Raymond’s words, “You came just in time. Your grandpa and I were just talking about you.”
“What did you talk about?” Raymond was apprehensive.
Gavin interjected, “Raymond, let’s discuss this later.”
“We won’t have much time to meet in the future. So, let’s talk about it today,” Archer remained indifferent. “I was just telling your grandpa that maybe you should go abroad.”
“Why?” Raymond asked indignantly, gaping at Archer.
“Since you’ve spent so many years studying abroad, I think you’d be more accustomed to living abroad than at home.”
“No. I don’t want to live abroad. I came back with no intentions of going back this time,” Raymond retorted.
“Archer, if Raymond doesn’t want to go, let him be!” Gavin tried to smooth things over.
“Fine, you don’t have to go if you don’t want to. But I hope you’re aware that I don’t need layabout in my company, so don’t you come to my company expecting to have an easy job.”
Raymond’s face turned beet red. He felt humiliated by Archer’s words. “I’ve never intended to work for your company!” he burst out.
“That’s great! Now that we’ve agreed on you staying away from my company… I also want to make it clear that I’ll be donating all my assets to charity in the future.”
Raymond couldn’t hold his anger any longer after seeing how aloof Archer was treating him. He shouted, “Why!? Why are you doing this to me? Why are you doing this to Mom?! What did we do wrong to deserve this?”
Sensing that things were getting out of hand, Savannah hurriedly cut him short, “Raymond, stop speaking nonsense!”
“It isn’t nonsense! I’ve been meaning to ask you these for so many years. Am I not your son? What did I do wrong? I’ve always tried to be in your good books ever since I could remember, but you never once looked me in the eye. I’ve done everything I could to be a good son, so why do you do this to me?”
“Maybe you can ask her that,” Archer pointed at Savannah. “She’ll tell you why.”