Chapter 96 Gradually She Was Ignored
Margaret was floored for a sec and mentioned how he used to dig her cooking.
He snapped, "Margaret, don't drag up the past. It sicks me."
"Your folks died 'cause of old wiring. How can you pin that on my dad?" Margaret laughed bitterly and growled, "Calling my dad a killer, where's your proof? Got any evidence?"
Raymond was buried in a document. Hearing this, he suddenly slammed the folder on the table, stormed up to her, and grabbed her jaw.
"You dare ask me for proof? You trying to piss me off, thinking you haven't suffered enough?"
"Spill it, what really went down?" Margaret asked.
Her jaw throbbed like crazy. Her face twisted in pain.
She saw the fury in his eyes like a raging storm. He let go of her jaw, and she almost crumpled, clutching the table for support. She heard him sneer, "Idiot, Marlon was sharp his whole life. How'd he end up with a dumb daughter like you? What you know is just what Marlon wanted you to see."
"Tell me everything you know."
Even if Margaret was clueless, she got what he meant and grabbed his collar.
He shook off her hand like it was trash. "Can't you dig it up yourself? Get out."
"Raymond!"
Margaret's eyes welled up, and her nose stung. She didn't know why she felt so wronged; it wasn't the first time he treated her like dirt.
Raymond's eyes flickered with something, pointing to the door. "Don't expect me to clean up after the Hughes Family. You leaving on your own, or should I have security toss you out?"
A wave of sadness hit her hard.
Margaret covered her mouth, tears streaming down, and bolted.
She plopped down on a bench by the bus stop, watching people hustle by, tears rolling down her cheeks.
The winter wind cut her face like knives.
She thought about Daniel suddenly quitting; she had no clue how he was doing now.
Even though she didn't know why he bailed, she was sure it had something to do with Raymond.
Feeling worried and guilty, Margaret shot Daniel a message, but his WhatsApp was still dead.
She didn't have his number and could only reach him through WhatsApp.
Margaret prayed that Daniel was safe and nothing bad had happened to him.
In the afternoon, Margaret hit the hospital to check on Marlon. The doc said Marlon was on the mend and it was just a matter of time before he woke up.
Nancy was moved to tears, and Margaret cried with her. It was the best part of her day.
"Margaret, the big thing now is to have the cash ready for when your dad wakes up. Once he's up, our family can be whole again."
Nancy added, "Oh, and Margaret, the $1 million medical bill only covers half a month. After that, we'll need to pay again. Don't forget."
Margaret's face went blank. They'd need more cash in half a month.
She was under a ton of pressure, but Marlon's state was on her.
Everyone else could dodge it, but she couldn't. "Mom, the money's already set. Don't sweat it."
"Margaret, you've had it rough."
"No, you and Dad always had my back. Now that I'm grown, it's my turn to protect you." Margaret paused and switched gears. "By the way, Mom, do you remember a place called Ironwood Lane?"
Nancy thought for a bit. "Isn't that Raymond's hometown?"
"Did Dad ever go there?"
Margaret pressed on. If Marlon had hurt Raymond's parents, he would've definitely gone to Ironwood Lane.
Nancy frowned. "That place sounds like the middle of nowhere. Why would your dad go there?"
"Mom, are you sure? Think hard."
Margaret had this hazy memory of Marlon going to Ironwood Lane, and she might've tagged along.
Nancy's face darkened. "Margaret, is Raymond feeding you more BS? You trust him over me?"
"I didn't mean it like that."
"There's no reason for you Dad to go to Ironwood Lane. Your dad was a big-shot philanthropist. He took Raymond in and set up your marriage, even though I was against it. With your dad in a coma and the Hughes family falling apart, keep your head straight about what to believe." Nancy's tears started flowing, her voice choking up. "We can't handle more drama."
"Mom, I believe you. I trust Dad even more."
Margaret hugged Nancy, patting her back to calm her down.
But why would Nancy lie? Did she not know Marlon had been there, or was she hiding something?
Ten years ago, on a stormy night, Marlon got a call and rushed downstairs.
She was only 15, getting a drink of water, and saw Marlon heading out.
She asked where he was going, and Marlon said he had to handle something. Margaret insisted on going with him.
The driver, Percy Wheeler, advised Marlon not to take her to avoid complications, but Marlon took her anyway.
They went to Ironwood Lane.
She didn't know what Marlon was up to, only that she met a bullied mute boy and saved him, but he ran off ungratefully.
After that, she never went back.
Margaret pieced together these memories and had a wild guess. Could what Marlon and Percy were handling ten years ago be tied to Raymond's parents?
That seemed impossible. Marlon was a good guy. Plus, Raymond's parents were just small-time restaurant owners. They had no beef with Marlon. Why would he harm them?
It didn't add up.
Margaret's head was spinning with questions. She asked again, "Mom, do you remember our driver, Percy?"
Margaret clearly saw Nancy tense up.
Nancy let go of her and squinted. "Why are you bringing him up now?"
"Nothing, just thought of him. Is it a touchy subject?" Margaret asked with a smile.
Nancy sighed, looking a bit gloomy. "His wife was having a baby, but we needed him, so he quit and went back to his hometown. Your dad didn't want him to go, but he insisted, even a raise didn't change his mind. Later, I heard he started a small company and became a small boss. He's doing okay."
Margaret asked again, "Did he know about Dad's accident? They were so close, why didn't he visit Dad?"
"This is the reality, Margaret. The Hughes Family isn't what it used to be." Nancy sighed deeply. "We treated him well, never saw him as just a driver, gave him raises every year. But since he left, he hasn't called or sent a single greeting."
"Do you still have his contact info?"
"I saw through him long ago and deleted it. Why do you need his number?"
"Nothing, just curious."
Margaret had hoped to get Percy's number to call him, but Nancy didn't have it anymore.
But she was sure Percy might know something about Raymond's parents' death.
She didn't know what Marlon was doing in Ironwood Lane ten years ago because she fell asleep in the car and woke up alone in a hotel.
The trail ended there.
Back at the Hughes Manor, Margaret felt super nauseous, like she was gonna hurl.
She ran to the bathroom, leaned over the toilet, and puked her guts out.
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