Chapter 443


    And Edith’s always on about it: “I think Carlene’s great; she’s got a knack for painting, and Eric talked


    to her today; is he getting feelings for her or what?” Since Carlene’s painting skills were really top–


    notch and she’s got a leg up on her peers, she’s the most likely candidate to be Herbert’s


    protégé.


    So she busted through Edith’s bias about her background, and Edith gave her the green light to marry


    Eric.


    Back whenn and Carlene got together, Edith blew her top, sayingn stole Eric’s woman and would


    get hiseuppance.


    But then, when Eric had his mishap, Edith started grillingn on how things were going with Carlene.


    In that moment,n didn’t feel cared for, but repulsed..


    It was like Edith was trying to keep Carlene on reserve for Eric, hopingn would take up the mantle.


    So, even now,n’s not too chummy with Edith.


    At this moment, the table at Raymond Mansion was set with fancy dishes.


    Edith was a bit miffed. “I invited you to dinner; why the long face?”


    There was something sharp inn’s eyes.


    Edith was instantly at a loss for words, then got testy.


    n, you’re part of this family now; you can put away your big–shot attitude from the office. Grandpa


    Holden saw something in you and made you his heir, but you should know this was supposed to be


    Eric’s spot, if not for his mishap.


    Just as Edith was about to take it too far, Selena stepped in.


    “Mom,n’s been working hard these years; the Wall Street papers are all over him for interviews.”


    “What good are those empty des? He should take a leaf out of Eric’s book and serve his


    country.”


    Hisment left the two women as white as sheets.


    “Enjoy your meal.”


    His words implied that Eric may have been reincarnated.


    Both women were seething, especially Edith, who was cursing outn.


    Selena just sat there, powerless, trying to cate Edith.


    “Mom, stop it. The reasonn’s not close to us is because you always say these things.”


    “Did I say something wrong? He’s no match for Eric!”


    Actually, he got along pretty well with Eric.


    All the other kids had it in for the Raymond family; only Ian and Eric were actually cool.


    Everyone thought there wasn’t room for two tigers on one mountain and that he and Eric would be at


    each other’s throats.


    But Eric actually looked out for him.


    Ian’s pride kept him from telling anyone about this.


    The only thing he could do for Eric was to find out the truth about his death.


    Edith and Selena both favored Eric; only Holden had always admired the wildness inn.


    “He’s just like me when I was young; he wants to excel at everything.”


    “If Eric wasn’t my eldest, I’d definitely hand the heir’s spot ton. The business world needs people with


    his kind of wildness; Eric’s too mild–mannered; he’s better suited for research.”


    He held a cigarette between his fingers, but he only took one puff and let it burn.


    He wasn’t dependent on smoking; he only did it when he was feeling off.


    When the cigarette had almost burned down to his fingers, he tossed the butt into a trash can outside.


    A small burn blister formed on his finger, which was very noticeable.


    Unexpectedly, he didn’t drive to a hotel but got on the highway.


    At three in the morning, he arrived at Crystalbrook Valley.


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    After smoking a cigarette outside the courtyard, he called Maja..


    “Where are you?”


    Maja was clearly just waking up, still groggy.


    “Mr. Raymond?”


    “Mmm.” Ian’s voice was cold and low: “I’m at Crystalbrook Valley.”


    Maja snapped to attention: “Mr. Raymond, I’m at Riverside Haven, is something wrong?”


    I’m outside Riverside Haven.”


    Maja quickly put on her shoes, and sure enough, she sawn’s car at the courtyard gate.


    He didn’t have the entourage he usually had when he came here, and she felt a bit disoriented.