Late at night, the whole mansion felt like it was holding its breath.
Larry was on the couch in the study, his face red, fists clenched, clearly trying to keep it together.
"Grandpa, the doctor's on his way," Raymond said, worry etched on his face.
His breathing got faster, his chest rising and falling hard.
"Quick, get the blood pressure meds!" Raymond barked at the nearby servant.
The servant didn't waste a second, rushing to grab the medication and a glass of water from the medical kit, handing them to Larry with care.
Just then, the servant announced that Zephyr had finally arrived!
Zephyr took one look at Larry, frowned, and quickly pulled out emergency gear from his bag, starting treatment right away.
After a whirlwind of activity, Larry's emotions started to settle, and his blood pressure slowly came down.
"Alright, just make sure Mr. Thomas stays calm," Zephyr said, looking at Raymond. The tension in the mansion began to ease.
After seeing Zephyr off, Raymond personally bathed Sam.
After the bath, Sam's cheeks were rosy, his features delicate.
Raymond's eyes softened with rare tenderness. "Melinda, don't you think Sam looks more like me?"
Melinda quietly walked in, wrapping her arms around Raymond's broad waist from behind.
She rested her head against his back.
Raymond turned around, holding Melinda's hand tightly, a hint of guilt and regret in his eyes. "Melinda, I'm sorry for all the hardship you've endured."
Melinda gently tapped his forehead with her slender fingers, smiling softly. "It's all in the past."
They exchanged a smile. "I want to visit the detention center tomorrow."
Raymond didn't ask why, he simply nodded. "Okay."
He held her close, wishing he could merge her into his body, never to be separated again.
The night was enchanting. Melinda lay in Raymond's arms, feeling his warmth and breath, as if all the hardships had led to this moment.
Raymond held her tightly, kissing her forehead and lips repeatedly, as if he could never get enough. "I will love you forever," he whispered.
Melinda gazed at him, her eyes filled with affection.
The next morning, Raymond personally took Melinda to the detention center. Elsie arrived late, wearing a red numbered vest, looking haggard and significantly thinner, her cheeks sunken.
Seeing Melinda, a complex emotion flashed in Elsie's eyes, quickly replaced by a look of determination and resentment. "Why are you here?"
"Isn't it enough that I've lost everything? What more do you want?" Elsie snapped.
Melinda looked at her coldly, her eyes filled with hatred and disgust.
She slowly approached Elsie. "Elsie, I'm here to tell you some good news."
Hearing the word "news," a flicker of fear and unease crossed Elsie's eyes. She stared at Melinda, her mouth trembling.
Melinda took a deep breath and said, "Five years ago, the man I was with that night wasn't a gigolo. It was Raymond. Sam and Raymond have already acknowledged each other as father and son."
Elsie looked as if she'd been struck by lightning, standing there in shock.
"Impossible... you're lying," she stammered.
Melinda's gaze was firm and deep, her words carrying an undeniable force. "It seems Emily deceived you. She probably knew all along, which is why she went to such lengths to get close to Raymond."
Elsie's face turned ashen. She gripped the edge of the table tightly, as if trying to find some support. "Melinda, please, I was wrong. We used to be best friends. Please ask Raymond not to pursue this..."
"Do you think that's possible?" Melinda interrupted, a cold smile on her lips. "Elsie, if you hadn't conspired with Emily, I might have let it go."
A flash of unwillingness and anger crossed Elsie's eyes. She suddenly stood up, her voice sharp. "Melinda, how dare you say that to me?"
Melinda stood up, looking at her calmly, her eyes filled with a pity that seemed almost tangible. "Scheming only harms yourself."
She walked decisively toward the door.
Elsie watched her leave, a nameless fear rising in her heart. This time, she had lost everything.
She collapsed to the ground, sobbing uncontrollably.
Melinda walked out of the detention center, the sunlight warm and bright on her skin.
Raymond leaned against the car, tall and imposing, the sunlight casting a golden outline around him.
She hurried to him, throwing herself into his arms. Raymond held her tightly. "It's over, Melinda." His voice was gentle and doting, like a warm current flowing through her.
They got into the car together. As they passed a flower shop, he stopped and went in to buy a large bouquet of fragrant lilies.
Melinda took the flowers, inhaling their scent. "Do you know what these flowers symbolize?"
"What?"
"That we'll be together forever."
Raymond smiled, planting a kiss on her forehead.
When they returned to the mansion, Stuart was already waiting at the door. "Mr. Thomas, there's an urgent document that needs your signature."
Raymond took the document, signed it, and turned to Stuart. "Cancel all my appointments for today. I don't want to be disturbed."
Stuart nodded and left the mansion.
Raymond glanced at Melinda, who was busy in the kitchen, feeling a surge of warmth.
He wanted to spend some alone time with Melinda, and the thought grew stronger in his mind.
He picked up his phone and called the Thomas Villa.
"Sam, do you want to stay with great-grandpa tonight?" Raymond's voice was full of tenderness.
On the other end, Sam refused without hesitation. "No, I want to sleep with Mommy."
Raymond was momentarily taken aback, then laughed. "How about I buy you some new Lego toys?"
Sam was unmoved. "I don't want toys. I want to go home."
Raymond hung up, looking at Melinda with a wry smile. "That kid is so stubborn."
Melinda peeked out from the kitchen, curious. "What's wrong? Does Sam want to come back?"
Raymond nodded. "Yes."
Melinda walked over and sat beside Raymond. "Maybe you should try talking to him again?"
Raymond sighed. "I've tried. Looks like our plans for a night alone are ruined."
But Raymond wasn't ready to give up.
He called again, gently coaxing. "Sam, do you want to stay at Mr. Barnett's house? He has robots. And, do you want a little brother or sister?"
Sam's excited cheer came through the phone. "Yes!"
Raymond then called William. "Hey, William, it's Raymond. Can Sam stay with you tonight? Melinda and I need to go out of town."
William, busy with paperwork, frowned. "Out of town? Melinda too? But I have plans tonight."
Raymond chuckled. "You know that new helicopter I bought? You can use it for two weeks."
William's eyes lit up. "Alright! Raymond, you really went all out. Planning a romantic night?"
Raymond quickly hung up, embarrassed, and looked at Melinda.