Chapter 83 The Question of Desire
Raymond's voice was insistent, a gentle pressure against her resolve. "What is it that I want? Surely you know, my dear?"Paige drew in a deep breath, her patience teetering on the edge. If this had been her handsome yet shallow ex-husband, she might have tolerated such behavior. However, this was Raymond Carnegie. His endearing obstinacy was a persistent issue she found herself unable to shake."Raymond," she began, her tone firm, "I have to work late today and won't be returning home. You should go back to the mansion. They'll cater to your needs without me there; you won't starve."Raymond's grip tightened around her wrist, his gaze meeting hers with an intensity that made her pause. "I'm a married man now. I have my own home, and that's where I should be. It wouldn't be right to constantly retreat to my father's abode."Paige fell into silence, her thoughts whirling.Raymond quickly interjected, "Besides, I can't cook." His voice held a note of playful desperation."I'll order us some takeout," Paige offered, her voice betraying her exasperation.Raymond turned to her, his expression serious. "I'm not fond of takeout, Mrs. Carnegie. You promised to look after me."Paige averted her gaze, her teeth grinding in frustration. Was Raymond planning to become a permanent fixture in her life?Returning to her own home didn't sit well with her either. She had just brought her mother home from the sanatorium that day. Given her mother's precarious health, it was impossible to predict what might transpire next.Having medical training, Paige felt most at ease when she was by her mother's side.With a sigh, she finally conceded, "I'll introduce you to my mother."Raymond lowered his gaze, a glimmer of joy concealed in his eyes. "I've heard... about your mother..."Paige fixed him with a stern look. "Enough with the theatrics, Hugh Raymond. With your resources, are you implying you haven't looked into my past? Even if you don't know everything about me, you should at least be aware of the minor scandal involving the Sackler family, correct?"She had conducted her own investigation into Mr. Raymond; it was only logical that he would have delved into her past before their marriage.Paige found it hard to believe otherwise.Raymond absentmindedly played with Paige's slender fingers. Since both were aware of the unspoken truth, there was no point in denial."There was some investigation, yes, but not in-depth, into the Sackler family's issues. Matters concerning your mother are the Sackler family's secrets, not so easily unearthed," Raymond admitted.Paige understood that Raymond had done his research but had yet to delve too deeply.As a top-tier elite, the choice of a wife for Raymond was something Paige still found puzzling. The fact that the investigation into her background was so superficial felt even more strange.Raymond looked at her earnestly. "Madam, would you like to investigate me?"Paige looked puzzled as he continued to toy with her fingers, saying, "It needn't be that complicated. Whatever you wish to know, I'm an open book."Paige withdrew her hand from his grasp and rolled her wheelchair over to her car.After assisting Raymond into the passenger seat and stowing away the wheelchair, she finally settled into the driver's seat.From start to finish, Raymond had yet to ask a single question about Paige's Dodge Viper. From the passenger seat, Raymond took a deep breath, marveling at how Paige navigated the fifty-million-dollar car with such ease. He realized he still had much to learn about her.Paige noticed Raymond's gaze and turned to him. "Did you mean what you said earlier?"Raymond replied, "Yes."If one of them had to take the first step toward trust, Raymond was willing to be the one.
Paige's question, one that seemed to set the stage for a profound revelation, was followed by a faint smile. "Since you've been delving into my past, did your research reveal that I was once engaged to Louis?" She asked, her words hanging in the air like a delicate, unfinished melody.Raymond was taken aback by her inquiry. He was aware of the engagement, yes, but it was a detail he had not unearthed from his own investigations. The revelation had come from Louis himself, in the confines of Bradley's study.After a moment of silence, Raymond responded with an honesty that was as surprising as it was refreshing. "When Louis dismissed the idea of marrying Xena, he confessed to Dad that his true engagement was not with her—it was with you. I surmise you've known Louis for quite some time, correct? And the rural area you were dispatched to, could that be where the Carnegie family discovered Louis after his abduction?"Raymond was privy to some details, but they were of little concern to him. Even without a comprehensive understanding of Paige, he knew that a man like Louis was no match for her, let alone capable of exerting any influence over her.Paige was momentarily disarmed. "You're correct. Louis and I have known each other since childhood. But the engagement wasn't about that—it was a necessity, a means of survival. Being betrothed to Louis ensured the Sackler family would prevent my demise in jail. If I had perished, all would have been in vain."She didn't need to elaborate further; the facts she presented were sufficient for Raymond to comprehend the pretense of their engagement.Raymond nodded in understanding. "So, the engagement was a sham for you, while Louis wished for it to be genuine. When was it called off?"
Suddenly, Raymond's memory was stirred by the events at Windrain Tower. Paige could never have been one of Louis's pawns, which meant their encounter that day was purely fortuitous! Paige stifled a laugh, the memory of the broken engagement amusing her. "Terminate the engagement? That was the plan upon my release from jail. But Louis was nowhere to be found, and instead, I encountered Bradley. The Sacklers were insistent on the marriage, so I just went with it, you know?"Raymond's brow furrowed in confusion. "Went with it?"
Paige chuckled, her eyes dancing with mirth as she glanced at Raymond. "You don't believe this is a compromise?"Raymond fell silent. To deny it now would be disingenuous. After all, it wasn't merely a compromise. He was also intrigued by Paige's true intentions.With a smirk, Paige cast a sidelong glance at Raymond before returning her attention to the road.Raymond knew he had to defuse the situation, or it would become unbearable."I believe, between a husband and wife, not everything needs to be scrutinized."Raymond's words were intended as a justification for his actions, but Paige was quick to agree. "Indeed, I also believe that not everything between spouses needs to be dissected. It seems we do have some common ground."Raymond was left speechless, feeling as though he had inadvertently scored an own goal.
