Rayan raced back to the old mansion and quickly parked his car in the backyard.
When he got out of the car, he immediately began to look for Gracie in every corner of the house.
Sarah soon arrived with Atlas when she heard about this.
Inside the abandoned building, Rayan opened each of the rooms one by one, but he didn't find anyone
there.
"Rayan, what are you doing here?"
Sarah was aware that Rayan was searching for Gracie, but she had to inform him that searching for
Gracie would only result in tragedy.
If he stood by Janessa's side, she would help him take the company to new heights.
"Mom, can't you tell why I came back? After all this time, are you still choosing to pretend to know
nothing?"
Rayan questioned as he glared at his mother.
He couldn't figure out why his mother was so determined to prevent him from marrying Gracie.
"You think you know everything? Fine! However, I'll tell you right now that you won't be able to find her
no matter how hard you try."
Initially, Sarah was thrilled to hear that Rayan was coming home to visit.
She assumed that he was visiting because he wanted to make amends with his parents.
However, when Rayan entered the property, he went straight to the backyard without even entering the
main house.
As she looked at the furious look in Rayan's eyes, she realized that her son's mind had been made up.
Rayan was determined to be with Gracie no matter what the cost was.
How could she watch her son ruin his life like this? She couldn't just stand by and watch him make
these choices without taking action.
Rayan's hand halted as he reached for the door.
Suddenly, he turned around and gave his mother a look of disgust.
At that moment, he felt as if he never truly knew who she was until that moment.
"Why are you doing this? Is it because of her humble background? Why are you so keen on keeping us
apart?"
In the past, Rayan never went against his parents’ wishes.
He had everything they had asked of him.
However, he was willing to risk it all to be with Gracie.
Back then, the two of them had no choice but to keep their relationship hidden.
When Gracie suddenly disappeared, Rayan was forced to marry Janessa.
Now, he realized that all of this had been his mother's doing.
This had all been an elaborate scheme to keep him from Gracie.
"Her humble background? Do you honestly believe that would be the only reason I would stand against
this relationship? As the heir to our family business, I'm sure you're aware that your marriage is a family
matter.
The person you choose to marry will determine the fate of our business and family.
This is not a matter I take lightly.
Many members of our family wouldn't even think twice to replace you as the heir.
Do you believe that you being successful and working hard would be enough to keep them at bay?
These people will show no mercy.
They are watching your every move and waiting for you to stumble.
Once you give them an opportunity, they will take your position away from you the very first chance
they get.
What does Gracie bring to the table? Yes, she may have medical skills, but that won't do anything to
help our family."
"She doesn't need to help out with the family business.As long as I'm around, there's nothing to be
worried about.Mom, I need you to believe in me.I don't need to marry a woman from a rich family and
the advantages such a marriage would bring me.I am more than capable of leading our company.The
Qiu family needed me to marry Janessa so that their business would survive, but we're not in the same
situation."
"The advantages that you would get in an arranged marriage can't be bought by money."
As aman born in the upper class, how could Rayan be so naive? A marriage would be beneficial for
both companies.
In this circle, most people weren't able to escape arranged marriages, no matter how much they
wished they could.
Rayan hoped he was the exception, but his abilities weren't going to be enough to keep him afloat.
It wasn't possible for him to do as he wished.
He had to think about what was best for the company.
"Gracie is the only woman I'll ever love.She's a great woman."
Rayan recalled what had happened in the hospital and to Sally that day.
Janessa was prepared, but she had to wait patiently for her target to make a move first.
After that, Janessa would immediately take them by surprise to take them out.
Rayan wasn't interested in a woman who schemed and plotted.
Gracie wasn't like that.
She was pure and innocent and free from the burdens that weighed him down.
The calmer Rayan became, the more uneasy Sarah felt.
Sarah let out a heavy sigh as she looked at the building behind her.
"Since you're determined to marry her, I will allow for you to see her.Whatever happens from this
moment forward will be your own business."
Sarah instructed Atlas to takeRayan to the room where Gracie was held captive. The daily necessities
she needed were all provided, but Gracie was strictly prohibited from going out.
The moment Rayan entered the room, Gracie curled up in one corner of the room with her hair in a
mess.
"Gracie! It's me, Rayan!"
"Rayan!"
Gracie stood up and embraced Rayan tightly when she saw him.
"You've finally come to save me! It's been so horrible here! I don't know why they kept me in this
place.It's terrifying!"
"Don't be afraid, it's all over now.I came to pick you up."
"Rayan, I..."
Gracie's face was pale as she collapsed into Rayan's arms.
Her lips were drained of color, and her cheeks looked gaunt.
How could she have lost so much weight in just a few days? Rayan walked out of the room with Gracie
in his arms.
When he spotted Atlas and his mother, he halted and looked at them with stormy eyes.
"This time, you've taken things too far."
"What's the matter with her?"
Sarah didn't expect Gracie to starve herself for days.
As Rayan looked down at Gracie's frail figure, his heart ached for her.
He had known Gracie since he was a child, and he had never seen her like this.
Her face was deathly pale, and she looked ill.
It was as if every breath of hers could be the last one.
"If anything happens to her, I will never forgive you."
Holding Gracie tightly in his arms, Rayan strolled away.
Sarah took a deep breath as she watched him walk away.
The entire family was gathered in the living room on the day when Atlas took Gracie here and held her
captive.
Every day, they served her three meals, but it seemed like Gracie didn't eat anything.
She declared that she wouldn't eat one bite until she saw Rayan.
Sarah asked in a helpless tone, "Can anyone really blame me for the choice I've made? Or am I really
wrong this time? Rayan is a grown man.Maybe there are some things he must figure out on his own
now."
"No, you didn't do anything wrong.We shouldn't have allowed for Mr.Rayan to spend so much time with
Gracie when they were children."
Atlas was aware of the situation they found themselves in, but there was nothing he could do about the
situation.
He was fortunate enough to be employed in the Lu family.
During his time at this job, he realized how ruthless this circle could be.
Because of this, he sent his children far away from this environment.
It would be best for them not to get involved with these people.
"Rayan will never let this go! He'll never forgive me!"
"Please don't be so hard on yourself, ma'am.Mr.Rayan can't understand the reasoning behind your
actions right now, that's all.Love is an unpredictable thing.One day, he will realize that you did all of this
for his own good.He will come around eventually."
Sometimes, a person from the outside could see things more clearly.
As time passed, people inevitably changed.
Their opinions and thoughts on matters could evolve with them.
"I hope you're right."
After taking one last look at the room where Gracie was kept, Sarah shook her head then left.
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