Not long after Marcus left, a pasty-faced Raymond entered the presidential suite, and he collapsed onto the sofa, looking almost half-dead.
Startled, William walked toward him and lightly gave him a nudge, “What’s wrong? Are you sick?”
“I’m fine. I just didn’t know how unwanted I am until today.”
“What on earth happened?”
Raymond groaned, “My dad says I’m an eyesore to him and wants me to go abroad immediately. He even said that he wouldn’t leave a penny to me. Turns out I’m just a product of an elaborate scheme, and he has been plotting to get rid of me ever since he knew of my existence. It’s ridiculous how my existence has become a source of grievance to him!”
William didn’t know how to respond to that. He could only imagine how deeply hurt Raymond must have been by Archer’s direct proclamation of his hate towards Savannah and himself.
Raymond was innocent in this case, and Archer had gone too far by punishing Raymond for what Savannah had done wrong.
William wanted to say something to comfort Raymond, but he didn’t know how. He somewhat gathered that Hayden didn’t like him when Hayden sent him abroad. So even though he was sad, he was sure it was far different from the devastation Raymond must have felt after Archer had told him off in his face.
Raymond must be very upset. William let out a small sigh and patted Raymond lightly on the shoulder, “What are you going to do now, Raymond?”
“I… I’m not sure. Grandpa Gavin told me that he likes me even though my dad doesn’t. So, he’s going to give me all his shares. I was just considering whether I should take up Grandpa’s offer just to piss my dad off.”
Raymond smiled bitterly, “But now that I’m here, I suddenly realized that nothing I do will affect my dad. After all, he had never paid attention to me all these years. I might as well be inexistent to him.”
“Give it a try. Sir Gavin thinks highly of you, after all. Inherit his shares, compete with your dad, and drive him out of the company to make him regret his decision today.”
“Can I really do that? Uncle William, you hate Grandpa Hayden too, don’t you? If that’s the case, why didn’t you bring down Howard Group and drive him mad?”
Raymond suddenly sat upright and grabbed William by the shoulders, “Don’t try to fool me anymore. You’re the president of Wolf Group. I know that you can obliterate Howard Group in just a blink of an eye.”
“I don’t find it necessary,” William laughed. “Life is short. It’s too tiring if we try to make others suffer for their poor choices. Besides, why should I live under someone else’s shadow? We should make a life for ourselves and for our loved ones.”
Upon hearing William’s words, Raymond let go of him and leaned back, “I know what you’re saying. But it feels different when you’re the one actually experiencing it. Ah, forget it, let me drown in my misery for a few more days. Uncle William, you will take me in in the future, won’t you?”
“Of course,” William nodded.
“That’s a relief. The truth is I’m feeling a little isolated and helpless at the moment. I know my dad won’t hurt me since he doesn’t care about me, but my mom… She’s different. Everything she’s done for me felt insincere.”
Of course Raymond would have felt it. After all, he was just a son yearning for his parents’ love. It wouldn’t be difficult for him to see through the loving facade Savannah had put up to hide her manipulation.
To William’s relief, it seemed as though Raymond wasn’t that emotionally attached to Savannah either, which probably was for the best. It would make the truth hurt less once Raymond found out about it.
Before, William had always thought that Raymond was Savannah and Archer’s biological son. Thereby making Raymond his blood-related nephew, which put him in a difficult position in his relationship with Valeria.
However, now that he knew that Raymond wasn’t Savannah’s biological son, any hard feelings William felt toward Raymond had dissipated.
Raymond wasn’t his nephew. He was Valeria’s brother.
Seeing it his duty to help his brother-in-law, William patted Raymond’s shoulder, and he said, “Stop worrying about your mom. You’re not a mommy’s boy anyway. Dream big, aim high. So buck up and fight for your career.”
“When we were abroad, I took up business management because my mom wanted me to take over the Saunders empire. Now that I found out she had an ulterior motive all along and that my dad hates my guts, I felt like I’ve lost my purpose in life. What should I do in the future? Do I start a new company? Or do I work for someone else?”
“Follow your heart and do whatever you think is best for you. I’ll always be here to support you, so it doesn’t matter if your parents don’t care for you.”
“Uncle William, you’re the best! Then, perhaps you can lend me your shoulder to cry on for a while?”
“Gosh, look at you. Are you seriously going to be a cry baby now? Think about those who’ve lost both parents. Aren’t they still thriving on their own?” William sneered.
“You’re right. If they’re still alive and well, I should be able to do it too! Ugh, forget it! I’m going to drink away my sorrows, and perhaps when I awaken from my drunkenness, everything will get better,” Raymond said as he stood up to leave.
William frowned but didn’t stop him. Once Raymond had left, he took out his phone and called someone, “Get some people to keep an eye on Raymond.”
On the other hand, Archer headed over to his newly started company in B City after leaving the hotel where Gavin was staying. Since his company had just begun operations and still wasn’t on track yet, it was quiet in the office building.
In his office, Archer sat in front of his desk and rubbed his temples. He was only using this new company as an excuse to stay in B City if Gavin or Hayden ever asked.
The Saunders family had grown into an unshakable empire after grappling in the business world for decades. Archer’s wealth had already been accumulated to the point where it felt like just a figure to him.
He worked hard not to earn money nor because he liked it, but to keep himself busy so that he wouldn’t have the time to dwell on the past and to think about the woman he was once so in love with.
However, all this had changed when he discovered the cause of Natalie’s death. Ever since then, Archer had lost all interest in the company’s business. All he wanted to do now was to avenge Natalie’s death.
Savannah’s evil plan to marry him filled Archer with disgust. So, he punished her by being absent in their marriage for over twenty years, expecting that it would make her realize and regret her mistake. And hopefully, she would eventually divorce him.
Yet, it seemed like Savannah’s patience was beyond his expectations. Not only did she manage to keep him company all this while, but she even cruelly orchestrated Natalie’s death.
Natalie… The only woman he had ever loved, and whom he still loved, was murdered by Savannah.
Archer’s heart ached when he thought about her. It hurt so much that he felt better off dead than alive.
So, there was no way he would let Savannah off the hook that easily. However, it wouldn’t be that simple for him to find the flaw in Savannah’s plan seeing that she had it laid out so perfectly.
Therefore, what Archer intended to do, for now, was to stay in B City and dig up Savannah’s darkest secrets so that he could seek revenge for Natalie.
Archer was still thinking about this when he heard footsteps emerging from outside the door. Soon, in came a breathless Lamont.
“President Saunders, I’ve just received news that Ronald has left the detention house!”