Chapter 486 Raymond Gets Rejected
Reflecting on the past, Raymond couldn't tell if it was guilt or just nerves.
His face was tense.
His broad hand gripped a vintage, ornate lighter, but no matter how hard he tried, he couldn't get it to light. After several attempts, he gave up.
He took the white cigarette from his lips, broke it in half, and tossed it out the car window onto the wet ground.
His eyes, behind metal-rimmed glasses, were tinged with red.
He started the car and sped towards the airport.
Raymond never imagined that he was the one who started it all, that he was the reason Margaret's family was destroyed!
How could he face Margaret now? Sarah was right; Margaret only liked him because she had forgotten everything.
He had seen firsthand how important family was to her. When she regained her memory during the liver transplant, she went crazy. He was still scared thinking about it.
But now Margaret was an orphan, alone because of him.
He had to make up for his mistakes. He had to bring her home, treat her well, and return The Hughes Group to her. Before he died, he wanted her to become strong and independent, someone who wouldn't be bullied.
Raymond couldn't be relied on, so Margaret had to grow up and stop being so naive. Otherwise, he wouldn't be able to rest in peace.
By the time he reached Silverbrook Airport, it was nine in the morning the next day.
When he left, it was snowing heavily. Now, the sky was clear.
The morning sun wasn't harsh, casting dappled light through the evergreen branches. Spring had finally arrived.
The weather forecast on the car radio, delivered by a detached female anchor, announced that the rare snowstorm had passed and that it was now the perfect season for couples to go on dates.
Raymond smirked slightly as he picked up his phone and dialed Margaret's number.
Would Margaret be so happy that she cried when she found out he could bring her home and that all their obstacles were gone?
But instead of tears of joy, he was met with a cold, automated message.
He tried several times, but it was always the same.
Margaret had blocked him.
He didn't blame her; he had gone too far and hurt her deeply.
Back at his apartment, Raymond took a shower, planning to go to The Taylor Villa to find Margaret afterward.
During the shower, he had another nosebleed.
This time, it was severe, and the bleeding wouldn't stop.
He took the hemostatic pills Rufus had prescribed, and the bleeding finally ceased.
Looking in the mirror, his face was pale, his lips colorless, and he felt incredibly weak. He knew his condition was worsening.
He didn't have much time left. He had to bring Margaret back while he was still alive and follow through with his plan.
He stepped out of the bathroom, went to the closet, and chose an outfit Margaret had bought for him. He put it on and buttoned it up with a blank expression.
The phone rang.
He thought it was Margaret and quickly picked it up, but seeing the caller ID, his eyes filled with disappointment. He answered.
"Mr. Howard, I've taken over all of Hubert's duties like you asked," Rufus said, his voice full of gratitude.
Hubert's position wasn't one just anyone could fill. Without Raymond's recognition, Rufus would never have reached this level. Though he didn't know why the position had fallen to him, he was grateful to Raymond.
Raymond's voice was cold and indifferent. "If there's nothing else, I'll hang up."
"Mr. Howard, when are you going to start your treatment? You can't delay any longer; you're in the late stages of leukemia. Haven't you discussed it with Mrs. Howard?" Rufus's voice was urgent, trying to get Raymond to take it seriously.
Raymond knew Rufus meant well.
He rubbed his head wearily. "I'll start treatment in a few days."
"Please do it as soon as possible. Your health is the most important thing." Rufus replied, then he hang up.
Eager to see Margaret, Raymond skipped breakfast, planning to have it with her.
He drove to The Taylor Villa.
The butler greeted him.
"Mr. Howard, what brings you here?" the butler asked with a polite smile.
"Don't play dumb," Raymond said, one hand in his pocket, standing at the villa's entrance.
The butler smiled slightly. "Are you here to see Mr. Taylor? He's not home right now."
"What about Margaret?"
"I don't know," the butler replied, his white hair and kind smile unchanged.
Raymond narrowed his eyes. "Tell Margaret to come out and see me."
"Mr. Howard, Ms. Hughes divorced you. Legally, you have no connection anymore."
"I don't want to repeat myself."
"Mr. Howard, you're too late. Ms. Hughes moved out a few days ago," the butler said truthfully.
Raymond frowned. "Where did she go?"
"I don't know. Ms. Hughes didn't want to say, and I couldn't force her," the butler replied.
A breeze carried the scent of flowers, and Raymond looked up to see the roses in The Taylor Villa blooming brightly.
The villa's walls were covered with budding flowers.
He remembered that Margaret loved roses.
Whether it was a coincidence or intentional was clear.
Realizing he wouldn't get any useful information from the butler, he left without further words.
The butler watched Raymond's car drive away, then called Daniel. "Mr. Taylor, Raymond just came looking for Ms. Hughes. I didn't tell him anything. He'll probably come to you next. Ms. Hughes and you have been through a lot. You need to think about yourselves and not always do things for others. Don't you agree?"
Daniel, working at The Taylor Group, felt a pang in his heart hearing that Raymond was looking for Margaret. "I understand," he said calmly.
He hung up and called the front desk. "If Raymond comes looking for me, tell him I'm not here."
"Get it, Mr. Taylor."
Ten minutes later.
Raymond arrived at The Taylor Group and was about to get on the elevator when the receptionist stopped him. "Who are you here to see?"
"Daniel."
"Mr. Taylor isn't here. Please leave," the receptionist said, her tone gentle, captivated by his demeanor and handsome face.
Raymond wasn't surprised. He narrowed his eyes. "Are you sure Daniel won't see me?"
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