Raeleigh tidied up Scarlette's list and put it away. As she did, she listened to Scarlette talk about how she could live a worry-free and comfortable life with the money even if she could never stand up.
Raeleigh lay on the bed. She really didn't know what to say to her.
Scarlette's mindset was completely different from other people.
"Although money is important, love still comes first. If there's no love, would Hadrian give you so much money?"
"To put it bluntly, Hadrian has given you all he has to love you."
As Raeleigh talked, Scarlette picked at her fingers and said, "You're right, but not entirely. Raeleigh, we're human beings. How can we not have desires? I love money as much as my life, and you know that."
Raeleigh argued, "But even if the money's gone, you'll still have someone by your side. If you've lost everything one day, you'll still have Hadrian. You're winning at life."
The more Scarlette listened, the more uncomfortable she felt. She couldn't help asking Raeleigh, "Raeleigh, what's going on? Did you break up with Jepherson again?"
Raeleigh did not answer but only lay quietly in bed.
Although it was a windy winter, the night was as bright as day. The moonlight penetrated through the curtains and fell on them. Raeleigh pulled the covers over her and remained silent.
Scarlette asked Raeleigh again, "Why aren't you saying anything?"
Raeleigh just laid still until Scarlette said, "Mr. Jepherson was the one who asked me to treat you guys to dinner. He gave me the money."
Scarlette didn't even tell Hadrian about this.
Humored, Raeleigh said. "I know."
Raeleigh already had a hunch on her journey, and she was certain when she arrived.
"You knew?" Scarlette was shocked at first, but later she understood; no use hiding anything from Raeleigh.
Raeleigh remained silent. Scarlette asked, "Raeleigh, tell me the truth. What on earth are you thinking? Do you love Mr. Jepherson? You always give me the feeling that your love for him wavers, unlike his, unyielding."
"Although there are a lot of things that are driving a wedge between you two, and Mr. Jepherson always has something that is holding him back, his love for you never changed. His heart always belonged to you. But you, on the other hand, are always wavering, and no one can guess what you're thinking."
Raeleigh looked at Scarlette and asked, "Am I like this?"
"Of course. When it comes to your relationship with Jepherson, you've always stood still while Mr. Jepherson tried to get close to you. When he finally did and could finally hold your hand, you backed away, putting your hands behind your back."
"Raeleigh, I'm not trying to offend you, but don't you think you don't respect Mr. Jepherson?"
Raeleigh was silent. "I need him to respect me too."
"I think compared to my relationship with Hadrian, Jepherson is very respectful towards you. You're just not content with it. Raeleigh... the love Mr. Jepherson has for you is hard to find. If you're still unsatisfied, I really don't know who can treat you better."
"Although Mr. Jepherson sometimes acted arbitrarily, he's also a man of love and righteousness. Just take a look at how he treats Hadrian and me, and Mr. Santiago, Deanna, and the Whalen family."
"If you've met a traitor or a heartless man, no matter how good he treats you initially, I think he will leave you sooner or later."
"People with feelings and righteousness are all just. You can rest assured when you are with him."
"Scarlette, I know you mean well. I also want to be with him, but I can't watch him be partial to Stella when she had harmed Xanthus. He even said outright to me he would get to the bottom of it. The truth is all already laid right in front of our eyes. I only want him to be on my side."
"I didn't ask him to do anything, not even to look for Stella."
"Stella had hurt him once before. This time it was Xanthus; it could even be you or Santiago next."
"I don't even dare to imagine it, but he believes in Stella through and through."
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