BookToReadChapter 236 Raymond and the Carmichael family exchanged brief glances but said nothing more. Without another word, they left the hospital room.
Once outside, the Carmichaels' faces were clouded with worry-none of them looked pleased, and tension hung in the air.
Raymond cast a glance at Manley, then suddenly spoke up. "Manley, I don't know what you're playing at, but from now on I want you to stay away from my daughter." "And why should I?" Manley shot back, lifting his eyes defiantly.
"Because I'm Citrine's father," Raymond replied coldly, his voice edged with warning.
A humorless laugh escaped Manley as his hands balled into fists. "Raymond, I'm her Uncle Manley. I have every right to see her. You don't get to decide that for me." There was no way he'd keep his distance from Citrine. Not now, not ever.
Follow on NovᴇlEnglish.nᴇtRaymond's eyes hardened. "If it weren't for Citrine, I would've warned you long ago. I don't care what your intentions are with my daughter, but I won't allow even a hint of danger near her." Before Citrine cinto his life, Raymond hadn't cared much about Manley. But with her there, Manley suddenly seemed like a threat he couldn't ignore.
He still remembered, clear as day, what Manley had said to him years ago after the accident. The memory sent a chill down his spine.
Back then, he and Manley had fought viciously for control of the Carmichael Group. The rivalry was ruthless, and neither had planned to back down.
It wasn't until Manley's car accident-an accident that left him unable to walk- that the battle for succession finally ended, if only on the surface.
After the accident, Manley rarely left the house. Rumor had it he'd never recovered, that he'd lost his drive along with his mobility. But Raymond knew better. Even after losing the use of his legs, Manley never gave up his ambition for the Carmichael legacy.
He worked in secret, building up his own sphere of influence. His efforts to undermine the Carmichael Group continued, relentless as ever.
The upper crust whispered that Raymond himself had orchestrated the accident, desperate to eliminate his fiercest rival. Manley certainly believed it.
There was one time, both of them returned to the old family estate. Manley had been drinking heavily that night, his mood dark and unpredictable.
Raymond hadn't planned on dealing with a drunken Manley, but as he headed back to his room, Manley intercepted him on the pitch-black staircase, blocking his way.
In the narrow, shadowed passage, Manley glared at him like a venomous snake. In a low, deliberate voice, he said, "Raymond, just wait. One day, I'll destroy what you care about most-and you'll know what it means to wish you were dead." Raymond hadn't thought much of Manley's threats at the time. But after Citrine cinto his life-and especially after what had just happened to her-he couldn't ignore them anymore.
Now, Raymond was like a mad dog, ready to lash out at anyone who ctoo close. Manley, for his part, didn't bother arguing. He simply turned to leave, tossing one last remark over his shoulder.
"I'm not going to stay away from Citrine. That's never going to happen." Citrine wanted peace and quiet; she didn't want visitors. That night, Raymond kept vigil outside her hospital room, calling her nevery so often just to make sure she was okay. He spent the whole night like that, not sleeping for a moment.
Follow on Novᴇl-Onlinᴇ.cᴏmThe next morning, he called her nseveral times but got no response. Panic rose in his chest as he rushed into the room.
Only when he saw Citrine was simply asleep did Raymond finally let out a breath of relief.
Noticing the faint sheen of sweat on her forehead, he went to the om bathroom, dampened a towel, and En brought it back to wipe her face.
The moment he left the room, Citrine's eyes fluttered open-clear, alert, and entirely awake.
She realized Raymond must have kept watch all night. Wanting to test whether he truly cared, she'd pretended not to hear him when he called from the hallway. If he found out, he'd probably think she was being difficult on purpose.
The thought made her sigh softly as she closed her eyes again.
A few minutes later, she felt something warm and damp pressed gently against her forehead, making her heart jolt with surprise.
Did he really not see her as a monster?
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