Chapter61Raymond, a Handicapped Husband?
In the grand living room downstairs, Bradley was sitting in the most important seat, and everyone else sat around him. But even though they were all there, it was very quiet. Bradley didn't seem like he wanted to talk or make any noise.
Francesca wore a puzzled expression. While the family had settled on an arrangement, the sudden summons had left her feeling uneasy.
Margaret's unease was even greater. She longed to inquire about the situation from Xena, but the silent hall indicated that everyone was anticipating someone's arrival before commencing, leaving Margaret with no option but to wait in silence as well.
The wait was brief as the elevator doors swiftly opened.
Paige, pushing Raymond's wheelchair, approached them directly.
When Margaret caught sight of Paige behind Raymond's wheelchair, she almost didn't recognize her.
Dressed in a designer outfit with her makeup subtly applied, Paige stood behind Raymond, giving Margaret an odd feeling.
Margaret had met Raymond before—he was, after all, from the Carnegie family. Even though he was confined to a wheelchair, he still exuded an aura of importance that ordinary people could never match.
But at that moment, seeing Paige walking behind Raymond, Margaret couldn't help but think that Paige's demeanor seemed perfectly suited to match Raymond's.
Paige's eyes locked onto Margaret, she was intent on capturing every subtle nuance of Margaret's reaction.
In the room, Francesca was the only one meeting Paige for the first time, as she was accompanying Raymond.
Francesca immediately became alert.
Just as Francesca was about to inquire, Bradley gestured towards a seat next to him. "Paige, sit here, please."
Francesca blinked in disbelief, looking at the spot Bradley was pointing to—it was where Raymond was supposed to sit.
Raymond, seated in his wheelchair, clearly did not require it, despite Bradley offering the seat to a young woman who appeared barely in her twenties.
Was he suggesting that this young woman deserved to be treated as if she was of equal status to hers?
Francesca immediately asked, "Dad, who is this?"
Bradley didn’t hesitate, glancing at Margaret before introducing Paige.
"This is Paige, Raymond’s wife. Francesca, from now on, there's one more person in this home to keep you company."
Francesca paused, her gaze shifting between Paige and Raymond. To her astonishment, they genuinely seemed like a married couple—their presence, composure, and steady expressions all conveyed a deep familial bond.
She gave Paige a second look, observing that Bradley seemed quite fond of his daughter-in-law. As for Francesca, she really had no comments to make about that.
Without hesitation, Francesca put on a smile and congratulated Raymond. "Congratulations, Raymond."
Francesca maintained her smile, while Margaret was visibly shocked, stood up in disbelief.
Francesca didn't recognize Paige, but Margaret did! This was the granddaughter she least admired. How did she end up marrying Raymond?
Margaret glanced over to Xena, who subtly nodded in confirmation.
Margaret's heart sank. She had been orchestrating a union between Xena and Louis, but things had taken an unexpected turn.
She immediately turned to Paige, demanding, "What's the meaning of this?"
While the others could understand Margaret's behavior, it left Francesca puzzled, yet she opted not to speak up hastily.
Paige simply smiled. Since Margaret was asking, she couldn't pretend she hadn't heard.
"Wasn't it you, Grandma, who instructed me to find someone to marry within three days after my release from jail? I did as you said, and I had already told you I was married."
Paige's response almost had Margaret pulling her hair out in frustration!
Margaret had hoped for Paige to marry almost anyone.
After all, with only three days, what kind of decent marriage prospect could she have found?
Margaret looked at Raymond, who ranked higher than Louis.
With a slight loss of composure, Margaret pointed at Raymond and asked, "This is who you married?"
Paige nodded, "Yeah, that's right."
Margaret, too flustered and unable to care, blurted out, "You said you married some disabled—" but she abruptly cut herself off, realizing the inappropriateness of her words in front of the Carnegies.
Paige, however, smiled politely and said, "Well, here is a disabled person, right? He is in fact in a wheelchair. Grandma, I didn't lie to you, did I?"
Indeed! No lies there—a bona fide disabled person, no doubt about it. In addition, his identity was truly extraordinary!
Margaret seethed with frustration, unable to vent her feelings, the upset caused her blood pressure to rise.
Francesca seemed to grasp the essence of the issue, asking in surprise, “Wait... Raymond's wife referred to Mrs. Sackler as ‘Grandma’?”
Paige was only too happy to clarify it for Francesca, nodding with a smile, “You heard right, Francesca. Xena and I are sisters from the same mother, so naturally, we would call Mrs. Sackler ‘Grandma’.”
A jolt of shock went through Francesca. Raymond had married Xena's sister. How could her son marry Xena then? What would that make the family relations?
Francesca slowly sat down, her gaze fiercely sweeping over Raymond.
He had never mentioned another Ms. Sackler in the family. But given the revelations of the day, Paige's identity was no longer a mystery.
Francesca suddenly realized why everyone had been summoned to the old family home. This meant that the marriage between Louis and Xena was off the table.
Francesca glared at Raymond again, surprised that he rarely meddled in company affairs or vied for anything. Yet, he had just sabotaged a strategic alliance she had arranged for Louis. And he'd even rushed to marry Xena's sister before Louis could marry Xena.
Francesca felt a burning hatred but could not show it.
Mrs. Sackler was feeling even worse inside. No one knew the current state of the Sackler Group and the Sackler family better than her.
Bradley, seeing that both parties understood the relationship, took the initiative to speak. “My dear Mrs. Sackler, it seems we have a blessed match between our families. Look at these two kids, truly a match made in heaven.”
While looking at Raymond and Paige, Bradley continued, “However, my younger son is already married to Paige. It wouldn't be right for my grandson to marry my daughter-in-law's sister. After all, in a family with our stature, it’s best to keep relationships straightforward and uncomplicated.”
"It seems best to me," Bradley proposed, "that we set a different date for Raymond and Paige’s grand wedding."
With these words from Bradley and considering the complex relationship between Paige, Xena, Raymond, and Louis, it naturally became impossible to discuss any wedding plans for Louis and Xena.
The matriarch, though fuming, had to save face. Clenching her fists so tight that her nails dug into her palms, she managed to muster a forced smile and say, "Xena and Louis, perhaps it's not meant to be. Let's call off the wedding."
