Chapter 181 My Beloved Family

Chapter 181 My Beloved Family
"Carla? What brings you here today?" I asked, genuinely curious about her unexpected visit. She remained silent, her gaze fixed on me, and I found myself struggling to grasp her emotions. The last time we spoke, she had requested that I settle a debt. After careful consideration and discussion with the service providers, I transferred the funds to her. Since then, we hadn’t communicated, and I was puzzled by her presence now.
Her expression was a mix of anger and surprise, a combination that left me uncertain about how to proceed. "Carla?" I repeated, feeling the pull to keep the distance between us, though a part of me hesitated, as I couldn't decide if she was about to collapse. As I stood up, she raised a hand, signalling me to stay where I was, and instinctively, I halted.
"Spencer, we need to talk." Her voice was earnest, and that caught my attention.
I took a deep breath, feeling the weight of the moment. "I’m not sure what we have left to discuss. I transferred the money as you asked, and I thought that would bring closure."
"Please, Spencer, just listen. I'm here because I sincerely hope you don’t know what's happened." 
I sighed again, curiosity brewing within me. "What happened?"
"Today, the police went into Ray's office and took him to the station." 
Tears welled in her eyes, but I knew her too well to be swayed by them. I lowered my gaze for a moment before looking back up at her.
"What does this have to do with me?" I asked, my tone more cautious than dismissive.
Her eyes widened in disbelief. "What do you mean? What can you do? Call a lawyer! Go to the police station and explain that there might be a mistake! Help your father!"
"Why would I do that?" I was baffled.
"Spencer, he is your father!" she exclaimed, her voice rising.
"I don’t care! He made choices for himself!" My frustration bubbled over, and I felt the heat of anger rising.
"How can you be so heartless?" she challenged, genuinely shocked.
"Heartless?" I replied, frowning. "He paid a jailer to murder Cora!"
"Oh, Spencer! Can’t you see? That son of a bitch is lying!" she shouted in frustration, but it was the terms she used to refer to Cora that struck a chord with me.
"Carla, please refrain from speaking about Cora that way!" I said firmly.
"I’ll call her what I want! I'm honestly amazed you let her manipulate you so much that you can’t see the truth." 
"Carla, I think it’s best if you leave," I said, trying to keep my voice steady.
"No! I'm not leaving until you call a lawyer to defend your father."
"Carla, I will not defend someone who nearly took away the life of the woman I love, the mother of my child." 
She laughed, the sound bitter. "Trust me, it’s just a coincidence that the child is yours."
"That’s enough!" I raised my voice this time. "Carla, this is our office. I need you to leave now. If you choose to stay, know that I won't hesitate to call security."
She stared at me for a long moment, clearly evaluating my seriousness.
"You know, I truly regret allowing you into my life," she said, her voice laced with a mix of disappointment and anger.
"Oh, Carla, if anyone is regretting this, it's me," I replied candidly.
"Do you understand the implications this will have on your career? People will look at you in disgust for being involved with your stepsister."
"She is my stepsister. I see it as unconventional but not disgusting. I won’t let public opinion dictate my happiness with those I love."
"You’re going to ruin your life, Spencer. No one will want to do business with you."
"That’s something I need to figure out for myself, isn't it?" 
"You are bringing shame to your family..."
"I don’t see it that way at all." 
"Spencer, I implore you to reconsider."
"Carla, it's time for you to go," I stated firmly. I had made my decision, and there would be no further discussion.
She continued to gaze at me, leaving me uncertain about her expectations, but soon she turned and took the first step toward the door. I couldn’t let her go just yet. 
“Carla!” I called, prompting her to pause and turn back toward me. 
“If you see Ray, please let him know that our entire family stands firmly behind Cora. We’ve secured the best legal team in Los Angeles, so this time, he won't escape accountability for his actions.” 
Carla’s expression shifted, and she frowned slightly, shaking her head. “Spencer, I truly believe they will investigate thoroughly, and you may need to confront some hard truths. Just remember, you can’t go back to where you were.” 
“The only direction I want to move in is towards my family—Cora and my daughter. Anyone who dares to threaten them again will face serious consequences; I won’t let them down.” 
Carla looked back at me thoughtfully, but she shook her head and left my office with grace. 
Once she departed, I sank into my chair, feeling the weight of the conversation settle around me. I was stunned that she had come all this way to encourage me to stand by my father. But I hoped she realised, after our talk, there was no chance I would ever turn my back on my family again.
With my mind swirling, I found it hard to concentrate on work. I reached for my phone to text Mum and check if I could visit Ellie later this afternoon when I heard a soft knock at the door. My heart raced as I looked up to see Cora’s delicate figure standing in the doorway, searching for me with her eyes.
Mom’s nurturing transformed her appearance! She has filled out her figure beautifully since her return. Her hair regained its health, and she often styled it in a charming ponytail. While her preference for sexy outfits shifted, she embraced lovely dresses that gracefully complemented her delicate frame. On this occasion, she wore a beige dress with light makeup, and she looked radiant. It’s so heartwarming to see her feeling confident and beautiful!