Chapter 84 Even Seen Through a Dozen Disguises, You're My Wife, Carnegie
Raymond Carnegie had always been a man of strategy, never one to willingly dig his own grave. However, the tables had turned, and prying information from his wife, Paige, had become a challenge. He found himself needing to be more cunning, more strategic than ever before.Throughout their drive, Paige remained silent, not initiating any conversation. After all, she had dispatched Pearl Southern to investigate every aspect of Raymond's life, including the affairs of the Carnegie family and the reason behind their old estate's location within a property bearing the White surname.Upon their arrival at the Southern Villa, Paige parked the car, and they both glanced at the villa through the car window. Raymond's expression was not lost on Paige; she understood his curiosity."I chose this place as a suitable home for my mother once she's discharged from the sanatorium," she explained.Without uttering another word, Paige exited the car, fetched the wheelchair from the trunk, and assisted Raymond into it.By the time Paige had comfortably settled Raymond in the wheelchair, Charles's car pulled up. Paige noted that Charles seemed to be constantly present, always ready to attend to Raymond's needs. This arrangement suited her well. Having someone stick close to Raymond meant one less thing for her to worry about.As Paige began to wheel Raymond around, she suggested, "How about a quick tour of the house? It might not match the grandeur of the Carnegie estate, but it's cozy enough for me."Her words were clear, even transparent—this home was meant for her alone, not for Raymond.Raymond was no fool; he understood her implication. He quipped, "Sure, it's sufficient. I won't take up much space anyway."Paige frowned down at Raymond, confusion etched on her face. Was he planning to stay?Raymond waited for a response from Paige, but when none came, he turned to catch her expression, only to find her feigning deafness."There's no need for a tour. We'll learn all about it in due time. Let's go see your mother first," Raymond suggested.Paige had hoped to avoid that topic, but it seemed Raymond was pushing his luck just a little too far. She stopped in her tracks, standing her ground."Raymond, are you doing this on purpose?" she confronted him. "You drafted the divorce papers yourself. Now that I'm ready to agree and sign, doesn't it fit perfectly with what you wanted?"Raymond was so agitated he almost stood up from his wheelchair. Facing Paige, he tried to contain his emotions but still maintained an aggressive stance."Mrs. Carnegie," he began, his tone slightly impulsive, "it was a momentary impulse. You can't take that seriously. In our family, the Carnegies, we've only known widowhood, never divorce."Paige had once declared the same—widowhood and not divorce. To go back on her word now would be like slapping her own face.With a sigh, Paige resumed pushing the wheelchair. "My place is too humble to accommodate a high and mighty figure like you, Raymond. Besides, are you sure you really know me? Once you do, you might be tripping over yourself to get away."Raymond, indeed, knew little about her, like the half-billion-dollar Viper or that pricey villa in the exclusive Sunnyside Villas community.
Raymond found himself mystified by the objects Paige had somehow procured, a stark reminder of how little he truly comprehended about her. Any direct inquiries he made were likely to be met with silence from Paige.As their journey continued, Paige skillfully maneuvered the wheelchair into the room. Inside, professional nurses stood watch, their presence causing Raymond's gaze to be drawn to the patient lying in the bed.Their conversation was momentarily suspended as both their attentions were captured by the figure confined to the bed. Paige guided Raymond's chair closer to the bedside before seating herself on the edge of the bed.Turning to Raymond, she began, "This is my mother, Mrs. Holt. Five years ago, she secretly returned me to the Sacklers. During a heated family dispute, she was intentionally pushed down the stairs by Xena. She fell into the wrong crowd, and what could have been treated was neglected, manipulated with drugs, reducing her to a mere shell for the past five years."A shadow of sorrow flitted across Paige's face.Had her mother not returned her, this tragedy might have been averted. She could still be leading a life of tranquility and leisure as a lady of the Sacklers.Raymond broke the silence, "Did the elder Mrs. Sackler actually administer the drugs that have kept her in this state for five years?"Paige nodded in confirmation. "Not only that, but if she doesn't receive her medication on time, she won't merely remain unconscious—her life can't be sustained. They are so cruel. To control me, they damaged my mother's body. Xena is less than an animal. That woman is her mother, yet she could do something like this."As Paige spoke, she briefly lowered her gaze, concealing the spark of hatred in her eyes.Raymond, observing the motionless woman on the bed, began to understand the situation when he heard how the elder Mrs. Sackler and Xena repeatedly referred to Paige as a 'bastard'. Paige was never truly a Sackler, which explained why she became a thorn in the side of the elder Mrs. Sackler and Xena.Raymond naturally chose not to delve further into this matter.Then, unexpectedly, Paige turned to Raymond and said, "Actually, whether we divorce or not doesn't really matter. Our marriage likely has no legal standing anyway. So there's no point in discussing whether to split up or stay together, right, Raymond? You can't be married to someone who doesn't exist in the eyes of the world, can you?"These words took Raymond by surprise.He looked at Paige, confused, and echoed, "Someone who doesn't exist? What do you mean?"Paige offered a faint smile. "I'm not one of the Sacklers—so naturally, I'm not Paige either. Sure, Raymond and Paige would need a divorce, but Paige... no longer exists in this world. So, there's no need for a divorce."This time, Raymond understood."You... you've assumed a new identity?"Perhaps Paige had adopted this new identity back in prison but had yet to activate it.With a slight smile, Paige remarked, "Raymond, Raymond, I used to think of you as just a decorative piece.""A decorative piece?" Raymond echoed, bewildered."Sorry, but you are quite handsome," Paige said, spreading her hands. "I thought if you were just an ordinary man, maybe we could have spent a lifetime together. But now, I realize we're not suitable."Raymond seized Paige's wrist firmly. "Mrs. Carnegie, you're thinking of ending our marriage in front of your mother-in-law? It doesn't matter if you've changed identities once or ten times—you're still my wife."
