Chapter 190

Chapter 190

As soon as I got in the car, I couldn't shake off what Natalia had said.

If she knew about it, how could Raymond not?

After slipping into my dress, I spotted Raymond among the guests.

He was alone, without Kaia or his son.

The tension in the hall was thick.

"Caroline, when the ceremony starts, don't come out unless I call you."

Edward wrapped his arms around my waist from behind. "Be good, okay?"

I lowered my eyes and replied, "Okay."

I had no choice but to go along with him.

The more he insisted I stay hidden, the more it felt like something big was about to go down.

I didn't ask about the gunpowder, pretending not to notice.

But if I could feel it, how could Raymond not?

Why was he still here?

"Come on, I'll take you back to the lounge."

Edward took my hand and led me down the hallway. I glanced back at Raymond one more time.

His head was down, making it impossible to read his expression.

At that moment, Raymond seemed so lonely and defeated.

My heart ached for him again.

So... why did he come?

If he didn't care about me, he wouldn't have walked into the trap Edward set for him.

But I turned away and followed Edward back to the lounge.

Raymond didn't deserve pity, and I didn't need to feel sorry for him.

He treated me poorly. If he died because of me, it would just be a settling of scores, not a betrayal on my part.

"Caroline, why is your hand shaking?" Edward held my hand firmly. "Don't you want to get engaged to me?"

What a pointless question.

If I could, I wouldn't want to, but I couldn't say that to Edward.

"It's nothing, I'm just a little nervous. You know, I'm... a dead person."

Most of the people Edward invited had seen me before.

If I showed up, the place would likely descend into chaos.

"It's okay. I said you're my fiancée, and no one will dare say a word against you."

It sounded like I was the focus, but it only made me more afraid.

"Are you... planning to kill him today?"

As soon as I asked, the door to another room opened.

A woman holding a child walked out.

Kaia, she came after all.

"Go inside and wait for me."

Edward wouldn't answer my question.

I entered my lounge and closed the door, intending to eavesdrop on their conversation. But to my surprise, someone else was in the room.

"Caroline, what were you doing in the hallway with Edward? I've been waiting for you forever."

Why was Zach here?!

I clutched my chest, trying to calm down. "You scared me to death. Where's Flora? Isn't she with you?"

"I sent her back. It's dangerous here today, you know that."

Zach pointed to the door, and I immediately leaned in to listen.

"Are you crazy? Go back!"

"Does he have to die? There must be another way. Clarence has done so many experiments; isn't there something that can make someone lose their memory? Ask him."

"Kaia, do you remember why you got close to him in the first place? And now you want him to live? Are you insane?"

"But... I've fallen in love with him."

Raymond was quite the lucky one; every woman seemed to love him, including me.

Yet I wanted him dead, and at the same time, I didn't.

Their voices faded, but I remained leaning against the door.

"He knows Edward wants to kill him today, but he still showed up."

I turned my head stiffly. Zach was holding a letter I hadn't noticed before.

"He knows he owes you too much but doesn't know how to keep you because he's done everything, and you still want to escape him."

I forced a smile. "Are you saying I should thank him? Or forgive him? There's a life between us; I can't forgive him! Even if he dies today, I won't forgive him!"

Zach shook his head and handed me the letter. "I'm not explaining anymore. Read it yourself. I think you're both torturing each other. I tried to talk him out of it before he came, but he said it was something he owed you."

I trembled as I opened the letter.

Damn Raymond, I shouldn't feel sorry for him.

[Caroline, it's been a long time since I called you that. We've known each other for years, but there have been so few happy moments. I'm sorry for all the hurtful things I've said. When I'm with you, I can't control myself and end up hurting you. But maybe this way, you'll always remember me. Fifteen years ago, I accidentally stumbled into a castle and met you. Maybe you don't remember, but over the years, you've changed. I mistook someone else for you until we met again. Emily was my mistake, Kaia is Edward's person, and Edward... is actually my father's son. He and Scarlett had an accident back then, so Edward hates me... So much has happened, and we've ended up like this because I didn't trust you.]

I turned the letter over; there was nothing on the back, and no other papers in the envelope, just a ring.

Our wedding ring.

I tore the letter to shreds.

"Bastard!"

So what? After all that explanation, what did he mean?

I was about to open the door when Zach stopped me, shaking his head.

"Don't go out, it's too late."

Too late?

The next second, a loud boom came from the hall, followed by gunfire.

"Going out won't help; it's too late to stop it. Think about your child. She needs her mother."

I still opened the door.

How couold it was too late until the last moment? Even if it truly could not be stopped... at least let me see him one last time.

"You... I'm speechless. I've never seen anyone so reckless."

Zach eventually followed me.

"Stop following me. This has nothing to do with you. The Brown family still needs you."

The closer we got to the hall, the stronger the smell of gunpowder and the thicker the smoke.

Was Edward planning to take all the guests down with him?

"I won't get hurt, but my job is to make sure you don't get hurt. You have to survive."

Zach caught up with me, blocking my path just as we reached the entrance to the hall.

Suddenly, another gunshot rang out.

"Even if I die here, the Lopez family won't come back. Bryce is in prison, Scarlett committed suicide, the Lopez Group's assets are being liquidated, and Bradley will take over. If you return to the country now, you'll be taken in for questioning immediately. What are you still holding on to?"

Raymond seemed injured, his words punctuated by groans.

With such a big explosion, Edward couldn't be in great shape either.

"Stop talking nonsense. The Lopez family means nothing to me. I just want you dead!"