Chapter 57 Provoked
The ashtray hit the floor right by Raymond's feet. It was top-notch, rolling around without a scratch.
Raymond sneered, "You turned your back on your whole family just to marry me, you so-called bastard. Are you saying you were blind?"
He said it casually, then started down the stairs, his long legs in black dress pants.
Margaret was really ticked off, running over in her slippers. "Raymond, you jerk! Stop right there!"
Raymond kept going down the stairs.
A sharp cry of pain came from Margaret. "My foot!"
Raymond stopped at the bottom of the spiral staircase.
"Raymond, I twisted my ankle," Margaret's voice was shaky, like she was really hurt.
She was always tough, not the type to cry over a little injury.
Concern flashed in Raymond's eyes. He turned to go back up, planning to pick her up and call a doctor.
She cried out, her voice soft and pleading. "I really twisted my ankle. I can't stand up. Help me."
Raymond was about to move when another voice in his head mocked him, 'Raymond, she's Marlon's daughter. Your parents were killed by Marlon.
'She just fell and twisted her ankle, and you're feeling distressed for her because she's crying?
'Your parents raised you for nothing. They died for nothing.'
His leg in black pants stiffened and he pulled back.
He turned and left The Hughes Manor.
In the car, Raymond's face was pale, and he floored the gas pedal, speeding down the road.
What was wrong with him? There were two Raymonds fighting in his head.
One part of him said, 'Raymond, Margaret hasn't done anything to betray you. What if she really dies? She'll be heartbroken by your harsh words.'
The other part said, 'She's so healthy, how could she die? Everyone dies, but she won't.' Raymond was driven to a state of irritable suppression by his inner turmoil.
Alvin's call came through.
He pressed the answer button.
Alvin asked, "Mr. Howard, I forgot to ask; what size cremation urn should I get?"
Alvin had hung up earlier, only to realize he forgot this crucial detail.
Raymond became even more agitated. "Get lost."
Alvin was a bit confused. "Mr. Howard, I'm already at the Cremation Urn Store. The owner says the sizes vary."
Raymond snapped, "You're really my good assistant!"
Alvin said, "Mr. Howard, it's my duty to ease your worries."
Before Alvin could finish, the call was cut off.
The Cremation Urn Store owner looked at Alvin in confusion. "So, did you get the size?"
Alvin waved his hand. "Not for now. I'll come back if I need it."
The owner, not wanting to lose the sale, said, "Since you're here, why not take one of each size? These are all new models, selling well. Some might be gone soon."
The owner said, "If you think it's expensive, we can negotiate. It's good to be prepared for a death in the family. Otherwise, when it happens, you'll be scrambling."
Alvin frowned. It was the first time he'd heard of preparing a cremation urn in advance.
He waved his hand and left the Cremation Urn Store, still puzzled by Raymond's earlier behavior.
Why had Raymond suddenly hung up?
Before he could figure it out, Raymond's message came through: [I left my tie at The Hughes Manor. Go get it.]
[What about the cremation urn?] Alvin replied.
As soon as he sent the message, Raymond's call came. He snorted coldly, "Why are you so fixated on the cremation urn?"
Alvin said, "But you instructed me to."
Alvin couldn't wrap his head around why Raymond's mood flipped so fast.
Raymond's voice was cold as ice when he finished and hung up. "I also said, get my tie now. If it's not in my hands in half an hour, you're out of a job tomorrow."
Alvin didn't waste a second, speeding over to The Hughes Manor.
Ten minutes later, he was there.
As soon as he stepped inside and started up the spiral staircase, he heard Margaret crying.
Margaret was crying?
Alvin picked up the pace and headed upstairs.
He found Margaret, in a sweater and jeans, sitting on the stairs.
A pink slipper was lying at the entrance.
Alvin grabbed the slipper and rushed to her. "Mrs. Howard, what happened?"
Margaret looked up, clearly surprised to see Alvin. "I twisted my ankle. I can't stand up."
He slipped the pink slipper back on her socked foot.
"Mrs. Howard, I'll carry you," Alvin said.
He bent down, scooped Margaret up from the stairs, and carried her to the living room, placing her gently on the sofa.
Margaret took off her sock.
Her ankle was swollen and red.
She pressed it lightly, wincing in pain, tears streaming down her face.
"Mrs. Howard, wait here. I'll get some medicine," Alvin said.
Margaret bit her lip, looking uneasy. "Would it be too much trouble?"
"Mrs. Howard, it's no trouble at all. My wife and I met and married thanks to your introduction. It's my honor to help you," Alvin said gratefully, then dashed out to buy medicine.
Ten minutes later, he was back with a bag of medicine.
He poured some water, handed the medicine to Margaret, and gave her a cup of water.
Margaret took the medicine and applied the ointment.
The ointment was cool but stung on her skin.
Margaret looked up at Alvin sitting on the sofa. "Why are you here? Do you need something?"
Alvin usually didn't come unless there was a reason.
Alvin's eyelid twitched. He had totally forgotten about the tie.
"Mrs. Howard, did Mr. Howard leave a tie here?" Alvin asked quickly.
Margaret shook her head. "No. We've been separated for a year. He took all his clothes and personal stuff when he left."
What was Raymond up to? He hadn't been here in ages, how could he have left a tie here?
"Mrs. Howard, please think carefully. Mr. Howard asked me to get it. I need to bring it back," Alvin insisted.
"If you don't believe me, check the closet yourself. I don't think he left a tie here," Margaret said, worried she might have forgotten. Her twisted ankle made it hard to move.
If her ankle wasn't twisted, she would've checked herself.
Alvin searched the closet thoroughly. Margaret hadn't lied.
Knowing Raymond well, Alvin realized the tie was just an excuse. Raymond had sent him to help Margaret.
Clearly, Raymond knew Margaret had twisted her ankle and couldn't come out.
Alvin came out of the closet, walked to the sofa, and asked Margaret, "Mrs. Howard, can you do me a favor?"
"Sure, what is it?" Margaret asked without thinking much of it.
Alvin nodded slightly, his tone respectful. "Can you pick a tie for Mr. Howard?"
Margaret bit her lip, her eyes fixed on her swollen ankle.
In the past, she would've prepared all of Raymond's clothes, shoes, socks, and ties without Alvin's reminder.
Since they started dating, she had always done so.
But now, he hated her so much. He wouldn't even take the medicine she bought.
Let alone a tie. Even if she bought it, he wouldn't use it.
Margaret looked up, self-mockery deepening in her eyes. "I'm willing to help you, but it's unnecessary."
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