Melinda clenched her fists, her body trembling slightly. Emily was constantly pushing her limits, twisting the truth beyond recognition.
Raymond's eyes were dark and stormy. He never expected Emily to try to use the Thomas family's relatives to expose the events of five years ago, clearly aiming to ruin Melinda's reputation completely.
"Everyone, shut up!" Raymond's warning gaze swept over the room.
Emily turned her head stubbornly, tears streaming down her face. "Raymond, five years ago, you were drugged, and I saved you with my body. I even lost a child for you. Now, are you really going to abandon me so heartlessly?"
Everyone was shocked, staring at Raymond. The most prominent heir of the Thomas family had such a past? They didn't know whether to condemn him or issue a warning.
Melinda's face turned pale as she looked at Emily. She had lost a child for Raymond?
Larry arrived just in time to see Emily's tear-streaked face. He said to her, "Ms. Lowe, I know Raymond wronged you and made you suffer five years ago, but he has been trying to make it up to you."
What Emily desired was not just material compensation; she aimed for the position of the Thomas family's heir's wife and the endless wealth and glory that came with it.
Emily made no effort to hide her ambition. She gazed at Raymond with deep affection. "Raymond, I don't blame you for that night. I just beg you not to abandon me, not to leave me."
"Feelings can't be forced, Emily. I won't marry you," Raymond said firmly.
"Ms. Lowe, I know Raymond has wronged you, but he has compensated you in other ways. You can't keep clinging to a single mistake," Teresa stepped forward, not wanting to make things difficult for Larry and to protect Raymond.
Emily looked at the elegant Teresa with a warning in her eyes. She had done what she came to do and said what she needed to say. Not wanting to cause a bigger scene, she pretended to be pitiful and nodded. "I understand. I'm sorry for disturbing your family gathering. I'll leave now."
Roy immediately arranged for someone to escort Emily out. She looked back at Raymond with every step, her admiration for him clear. But under the sunlight, Raymond exuded a coldness that even Emily's adoring gaze couldn't melt.
Melinda quietly left the crowd, heading to a secluded garden. Her mind was filled with the thought of Emily losing a child for Raymond. This undoubtedly proved that they had been together that night, and Emily had even been pregnant with Raymond's child! Melinda felt an inexplicable pain in her heart.
Teresa helped Larry leave, and the other relatives and friends gradually dispersed. No one discussed the matter at the Thomas Villa. The family's success was due to their unity.
Suddenly, Larry clutched his chest. "Where's my medicine?"
"Mr. Thomas, please don't get upset. You must take care of your health."
"That was our Thomas family child!" Larry said, heartbroken.
"Dad, don't think about it. If Raymond and that girl really had a child, that would be a problem," Teresa said, clear-headed, knowing that someone like Emily was not suitable to marry into the Thomas family.
Roy brought the medicine over and helped Larry take it. After taking the medicine, Larry sighed. No matter what, the Thomas family only recognized Melinda.
Teresa agreed. Between the two, she preferred Melinda, especially since Melinda had once saved William's life.
Raymond found Melinda sitting on a swing in the garden, lost in thought.
He walked over quietly and gently pushed the swing.
Melinda let him push her, then asked, "Did you know Emily lost a child for you?"
"I only found out recently," Raymond answered honestly.
So, was that why he didn't reject Emily when she hugged him for a photo?
"Why did she come today? And why didn't you let her join the dinner?" Melinda asked again.
"I didn't want to upset you," Raymond said, looking at her tenderly.
"I'm sorry for embarrassing you today," Melinda said with a bitter smile. After all, she was still his girlfriend today.
Raymond stopped the swing and knelt down, looking at her seriously. "Melinda, I don't care what others think. I only care about you."
Melinda looked at him, feeling a warmth in her heart.
"Do you regret it?" Melinda asked.
Raymond nodded, his regret beyond words.
Just then, a servant came running down the garden path. "Mr. Raymond Thomas, something's wrong. Mr. Larry Thomas has fainted."
Raymond and Melinda immediately stood up and, after exchanging a glance, quickly headed towards the living room.
William had already carried Larry to his room. Larry's face was pale, his eyes closed, and he was unconscious.
"How did Grandpa suddenly faint?" Raymond asked urgently.
"Mr. Thomas said he felt chest pain and wanted to take his medicine, but he fainted less than ten minutes after taking it," Roy said, his voice filled with worry.
"Was it his usual medicine?"
"Yes!"
"Raymond, take your grandfather to the hospital quickly," Teresa said, her eyes red with worry.
Melinda was also anxious. Raymond picked up the unconscious Larry and, along with Teresa and Dexter, headed out. William pulled Melinda aside. "You ride with me."
At the private hospital, Larry was immediately taken to the emergency room.
In the car, William was frantic. "My grandpa has always been healthy. How could he suddenly faint? By the way, who was that Emily?"
Melinda told him about Emily and Raymond's past. William's eyes widened in surprise. He hadn't expected Raymond to have such a dramatic love story five years ago.
"That Emily is no simple person."
William's intuition was spot on. Emily was indeed extraordinary.
"Emily's ambition is huge. Does she really think she can become Raymond's wife?" William's hands trembled slightly on the steering wheel.
Melinda nodded. Just mentioning Emily made her feel like a heavy stone was pressing on her chest.
At the hospital, Melinda and William arrived to find that Larry had been in the emergency room for over ten minutes.
Melinda saw Raymond standing in the hallway, his face tense with worry. Teresa was clinging tightly to Dexter, her fists clenched in anxiety.
"Dad, Mom, what did the doctor say?"
"They haven't come out yet," Dexter shook his head.
Melinda walked over to Raymond, wanting to comfort him but not knowing what to say. Larry's condition looked dire. If something happened to him, what would they do?
"I'm fine," Raymond reassured Melinda.
Melinda patted his shoulder, staying by his side to wait.
Just then, the door to the operating room opened again, and the attending doctor came out. "Mr. Raymond Thomas, we found that Mr. Larry Thomas's heart rate was abnormal, likely due to taking the wrong medication."
"We performed a gastric lavage and managed to lower his blood pressure, but this ordeal has taken a toll on Mr. Thomas," the doctor said, and everyone felt a pang of heartache.
Melinda saw Raymond clenching his fists, knowing he was filled with guilt.
"We'll do our best to wake Mr. Larry Thomas. Mr. Raymond Thomas, please bring the medication Mr. Larry Thomas usually takes for examination," the doctor continued. Raymond nodded and stepped outside to call Roy to bring the medicine.
"How could he suddenly take the wrong medicine? Dad is so old; he can't handle this kind of stress," Teresa said, clutching her chest in worry.
"Even a young person couldn't handle this, let alone my dad at his age," Dexter said, frowning.