Female Novel
Chapter 695
Bailey wondered if she should tell her about Veikko's background, but after a brief hesitation, shedecided to abandon the idea.
Veikko's past was tainted with bloodshed and sins, and one day, he would trample on the corpses ofhis family members to fulfill his quest for vengeance.
The path of darkness he was about to undertake was not one that would suit Caridee, who was acheerful, positive girl.
Therefore, keeping Veikko's identity a secret from Caridee was a way for Bailey to protect her. novelbin
Veikko's life was fated to be marred by bloodshed, and as a man entrenched in the depths of darkness,he was not a fitting companion for someone like Caridee, a girl born into privilege and wealth.
Bailey believed their relationship had no future.
“Caridee, the Saviors is an assassin organization, and Veikko's rank is just below mine. He has madecountless enemies across the world, so you'll not live a peaceful life if you decide to be with him. Youshould just move on, okay? Please take my advice this time,” Bailey explained.
Caridee gritted her teeth and looked at her with tearful eyes. “Is that the only reason? Holden is also incharge of Tarragon and is second only to my brother. He, too, has made enemies worldwide, but whywas the daughter of the Hoffman family allowed to be with him? They even had a child together. Doesleaving the Luther family or joining the Saviors give me the right to pursue Veikko?”
“Caridee Luther, it's best if you forget about him.” Artemis emerged from the wardrobe and fixed his
gaze on his sister, who was leaning on Bailey. In a stern tone, he added, “You can't just leave theLuther family, and I strictly forbid you to join the Saviors. Bailey has already explained everything toyou, so it's time to take a step back and leave him alone.”
Caridee's tears instantly rolled down her cheeks.
Bailey glared at Artemis. “Get out. Leave us alone.”
Artemis was at a loss for words. He strode toward the door, speaking as he went. “Don't give in to hertoo much. The more you condone her actions, the more harm you'll bring to her.”
After watching Artemis leave, Bailey lowered her head to look at Caridee and comforted her. “Cari,Holden and Wendy are in love with each other. That's why Wendy has a valid reason to leave herfamily for him. I don't think Veikko has feelings for you, so it might be best to avoid getting your hopesup.”
In truth, Bailey was unsure if Veikko had feelings for Caridee or not.
Given the challenges that Veikko's plan to return to his family and seek revenge for his mother'shumiliation might bring, Bailey was unwilling to see Caridee being involved in that and putting herself atrisk of disaster. If Veikko decides to go all out to confront his brother, his brother will think of ways tofind his Achilles heel. Hence, Veikko must be careful not to reveal any vulnerabilities, such as hisfeelings for Caridee.
Therefore, for the benefit of both parties, Bailey supported Veikko's action.
Veikko did not want to jeopardize Caridee's safety and did not want her to become a bargaining chip forhis older brother's blackmail, so that was why he chose to hurt her cruelly. It was a difficult but wisedecision.
Stunned, Caridee questioned her in a hoarse voice, “Even you are not on my side? Why is everyoneagainst me?”
Bailey reached out and embraced her before replying in a choked voice, “We want you to move onbecause what you're pursuing is something unattainable. Caridee, stop trying to get into a world thatyou don't belong to. You'll only end up causing pain and hurting yourself and others.”
Caridee burst into tears.
Bailey patted her back. “It's okay to let it all out. Sometimes, that's what you need to do to feel better.But after this, you'll have to pull yourself together, forget about him, and start afresh.”
Meanwhile, in prison, Victoria looked at Victor through the iron bars with a tinge of sadness flashing inher eyes. “You deliberately took someone's life, and now the court has sentenced you to twenty yearsin prison. You're on your own now. Good luck.”
She then stood up and was ready to leave.
Desperate, Victor leaned over the table, trying to grab Victoria's hand. “Please, Victoria, you can't leaveme here! You have to save me. My life will be ruined if I have to spend the next twenty years in prison!By the time I get out, I'll be in my fifties. I haven't even had a chance to continue the Saunders familyline. Do you really want to see the family go down like this?”
Standing still, Victoria shot him a condescending look and laughed bitterly. “So you're aware that youhaven't produced an heir for the family? And you also realize this could spell doom for the Saundersfamily, huh? You had a chance to turn over a new leaf, yet you didn't cherish that. You squandered thefamily fortune in just two months and sought revenge against Lionel, resulting in intentional homicide.So tell me, who can help you now? I'm not a judge and cannot declare you innocent.”
Victor immediately responded, “Go and plead with Lionel for forgiveness. Sleep with him, serve himwell, and make him sign off a letter of forgiveness. That document can help reduce my sentence.”
Victoria reacted with a soft laugh, and as she laughed, bead-like tears started rolling down her cheeks.“I'm your sister, Victor, yet you want me to use my body to please another man? How could you treatme like this? You're my brother, just like how Zeke is to Bailey. But how is it Zeke can treat his sisterlike a priceless treasure, yet all you know how to do is hurt me like this?”
Victor was no fool. He knew his chances of getting a reduced sentence depended entirely on thewoman in front of him. He was willing to say anything to appease her. “Once I get out of here, I'll treatyou how Zeke treats Bailey. Now that you've had a miscarriage, and I'm your only family left, you musthelp me get out of here.”
Victoria shook her head and took a few steps back, her lips curving into a faint smile. “Lionel did signthe letter of forgiveness, but I tore it up because I wanted you to spend more time behind bars to reflecton your actions and work toward becoming a better person.”
The sudden revelation caused Victor's face to lose all color. A fierce glint sparked in his eyes as hisfeatures contorted in a grimace. “How could you betray your own brother, Victoria? Are you not scaredof karma? I'll curse you day and night in prison so that you'll live miserably for the rest of your life!”
Victoria stumbled out of the room and slumped against the wall, slowly sinking to the ground.
That was the only way she could think of to save her brother.
Even though he would have to endure imprisonment and lose his freedom, at least he would have thechance to live.
Releasing him would put his life in danger due to his character flaws, and he could end up dead on thestreets someday.
“Dad, Mom, I'm sorry, but this is the only thing I can do,” she whispered.
At the end of the corridor, Lionel sat in his wheelchair, eyes narrowed as he watched the woman sittingon the ground, crying with her head buried in her knees. He could not help but sigh.
His assistant asked, “Mr. Gezmond, do you still want to submit the letter of forgiveness to the court? Iasked our lawyer earlier, and he said if we do so and make some arrangements, his sentence can bereduced by thirteen to fifteen years.”
Lionel waved his hand to dismiss the idea. “I shouldn't intervene since Victoria has made up her mind.Get the lawyer to come and see me. I'll transfer all the shares under the Saunders family to my wife'sname.”
“All right, Mr. Gezmond,” the assistant replied.
The following night, at the farmhouse in the suburbs, Sofie asked Philip, “You said you'll send us offtonight, but how do you plan on distracting Artemis and Bailey?”