Chapter 714
Chapter 714
In the study at the Hoffman residence, Raymond leaned against the couch and raised his head to look at his daughter, who was standing in front of him. He said calmly, “The elders have requested for you to agree to Huntley's engagement. They will then send both of you away to live an ordinary life within the family. What do you think?”
After thinking about it, Juliana asked, “Is this your opinion too?”
“Yes,” replied Raymond curtly. “If you want to compete for the position of the head of the family, you must distance yourself from outsiders, especially Zeke. It's not true that I don't trust you. It's just that the temptation of love is too powerful. If you can't force yourself to make a decision, I'm afraid that you'll go down the wrong path and ruin the family.”
A bitter look flashed across Juliana's eyes.
Looks like God wants me to cut things off completely. Forget it. Now that things have come to this, there's nothing for me to feel nostalgic about.
“Okay, I'll follow your arrangements and do everything that you want me to do. Since Wendy doesn't want to shoulder the responsibility, I will.”
Raymond stared at her silently as complex emotions flitted across his eyes. The emotions of heartache, helplessness, and pity eventually morphed into relief.
“Remember, Julie. You must become strong enough before you can protect those dear to you. Huntley's already become like that. You must not take another wrong step. Otherwise, both of you will be doomed.”
Silently clenching her fists, Juliana nodded firmly and promised, “Thank you for your advice. I will heed your warning and avoid everything that I shouldn't touch.”
Raymond sighed. “I haven't seen Wendy for five or six years. She probably hates me for letting the elders expel her without doing anything. In the end, she had to wander helplessly outside and suffer so much. In the end, I betrayed your mother's last wishes.”
Juliana tried to reassure him with a smile. “That's not true. Now that Wendy has become a mother, she probably understands your intention to protect her. Since she has broken the rules, leaving is the only way to protect herself. Don't worry about her. She has already met up with Holden. As the head of the Tarragon, he is extremely well-known internationally. With him, Wendy will live a carefree and happy life.”
“Are you talking about Holden? That b*stard took my daughter away and stole the Hoffman family's high-level secrets. He still hasn't given me an adequate explanation! If he really loves Wendy, he should visit me too.”
“He will. If he truly loves Wendy, he will definitely meet you. After all, marriage lasts for a lifetime. You need to agree first so that she won't feel bad.”
Raymond let out another sigh. “Hopefully. On the other hand, I don't really want him to return to the Hoffman family. His arrival will definitely create another commotion and disrupt Wends' peaceful life.”
Juliana smiled silently in response.
She and Wendy were both wrong. It was not true that their father did not love them. Instead, he loved them so much that he wanted to protect them at all costs.
When Wendy got expelled from the family, she was locked up in the dungeon. It might seem like Raymond had punished them severely. However, in reality, he was protecting them.
If they had been more obedient and did not get themselves entangled with men from the outside, Wendy might have already become the head of the Hoffman family.
“Oh, right. I heard from Aunt Miranda that her family is traveling in Chanaea. I'll call her later and ask her to visit Wendy at Hallsbay.”
“Don't!” Raymond stopped her. “Since Philip is still at Hallsbay, it is better not to contact Wendy. I'm afraid it'll be disadvantageous for her if he turns his attention to her.”
“You're right. I'll listen to you and not contact her. I'm sure that she won't be in any danger with Holden protecting her.”
“Yeah.”
In the study at the medical base, Bailey was leaning against the couch lazily and mumbling, “Yet another day of thinking about Artemis. It's really torturous.”
Unable to hold himself back, Zeke slapped her forehead.
“Are you such a loser? Will you die without a man?”
Bailey sat up straight with a serious expression and said, “Yes. I'll die without him. You'd better treat me well and stop acting like you're all high and mighty just because you're his brother-in-law. If he asks to take my hand, you must agree immediately. Do not make things difficult for him. I can't wait to marry him, okay?”
Feeling like a headache had just come, Zeke massaged his head.
“When I heard the name Bailey, I thought you would be an assertive and charismatic woman. After all, you are a big shot who with such incredible accolades. Why did you become so weak and useless like a pile of mud on the wall at the mention of Artemis?”
Bailey could not help but roll her eyes.
Is he really my biological brother? NôvelDrama.Org owns this.
“Zeke, everyone says that you're gentle and polite. But whenever you open your mouth, I get so appalled.”
Bursting into a fit of laughter, Zeke tried to change the topic. “I heard that Zain has already found a way to save Veronique and you agreed with his idea too. Is our next step to ask Cameron for help? Do you need me to do anything?”
Cameron Yablon!
Bailey felt a headache coming.
He's probably waiting for me to look for him.
After being toyed around by her and having his face disfigured, he probably wanted to settle the score with her twice over.
Noticing the look of despair on her face, Zeke raised his eyebrow and remarked, “Looks like what I heard aren't just rumors. Mr. Yablon hates you so much that he instructed someone to paint and hang a picture of you on the wall so he can vent his anger on it.”
The veins on Bailey's forehead throbbed. Her voice trembled as she asked, “Zeke, is the rumor spreading like wildfire? Why do you know about it? Does Artemis know about it too?”
She could not help but cower slightly upon the mention of Artemis. A look of fear crossed her face.
Zeke laughed in fury. After scolding her for being so useless, he consoled her, “It's not that widespread. I only heard that Veronique needs Cameron's help to develop the toxin. Since the Yablon family is not to be taken lightly, I investigated them beforehand and got my hands on this unexpected intel. It was then that I found out about the history between you and Cameron. He's the last person that you want to bump into.”
Bailey pursed her lips and replied in a helpless tone, “I didn't want to provoke him. But... Huh, forget it. There's no point in bringing up the past. According to Zain's plan, Cameron must provide a helping hand. However, I'm still struggling to think of how I can ask for his help. I'm afraid that madman might come after me with a knife or drug me with the Soul Reaper, killing me with the Yablon family's best poison.”
When Zeke heard that, he burst out laughing. “That's simple. The Shurmer family is a prestigious family in the medical scene. You also know very well that some anesthetics, sedatives, and other drugs
require toxins. Hence, we have been doing business with the Yablon family all along. If I personally invite Mr. Yablon to help, he has to agree out of courtesy.”
Bailey shook her head with a bitter smile. “He'd probably still reject you because you're my brother. I have to do it myself. Otherwise, no one else can persuade him.”
With that, she picked up her phone and walked toward the window.