Chapter 311
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Caitlin and Sebastian helped Raymond into the car, and The Vanderbilt Family’s convoy left the airport.
On the way, Raymond looked at the rapidly changing city of New York, overwhelmed with emotions.
“I remember when this area wasn’t developed at all. Now, there are skyscrapers everywhere.”
Eighteen years had passed, and it felt like everything had changed. The most significant change was him–he was completely out of touch with the world, unable to keep up with the pace of progress.
Many new things were foreign to him, and the future felt uncertain and even a bit terrifying.
Sebastian squeezed his father’s hand in reassurance. “It’s never too late, Dad. Everything can start again.”
They talked along the way until the convoy finally entered The Vanderbilt Family’s gates. Raymond looked up at the familiar family home and couldn’t hold back the tears.
The vehicle passed the outer gates and stopped near the fountain by the main house. Caitlin , with the children, stepped out first. The kids ran joyfully toward the entrance of the villa.
“Grandma, Beatrice… Grandpa is home!”
The children cheerfully ran to deliver the news, and the rest of The Vanderbilt Family was already gathered at the door , waiting.
Sebastian helped his father out of the car, and Raymond’s gaze immediately landed on his mother, standing at the front. Eighteen years ago, her hair had been black, but now, she had grown old, her hair turned completely white.
Seeing his mother’s white hair, Raymond felt an overwhelming sense of sorrow and heartache. He had to fight to control his emotions.
He also spotted his wife, Eliza, standing nearby. After hearing so much from Sebastian about her hardships, seeing her after so many years, Raymond felt a deep sense of guilt.
If it hadn’t been for him, she wouldn’t have suffered so much.
Looking at the familiar yet somewhat unfamiliar faces around him, Raymond’s chest tightened in pain.
He approached and, without saying a word, his family met his gaze with tears streaming down their faces.
“Mom… Eliza…”
Raymond’s voice trembled as he spoke, and his emotions overwhelmed him.
“Raymond… Raymond!”
Beatrice cried out as she looked at her eldest son, now so thin and aged. Her heart broke to see him like this.
“Mom, Raymond is back…”
Raymond moved forward and immediately knelt before his mother .
“Son…” Beatrice embraced him tightly, and the two of them cried in each other’s arms, tears flowing freely.
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This scene touched everyone. Eliza couldn’t hold back her tears, and Jasper silently wept. Even Richard and Willa were wiping their
eyes.
Sebastian’s eyes were red, and Caitlin was also moved to tears.
The servants of The Vanderbilt Family, who had gathered around, also couldn’t help but be moved, shedding tears.
Mother and son cried for a long time, exchanging tearful glances.
“Raymond, I’ve lived long enough to see you come home. I can die happy now…”
“Mom…”
“You’ve gotten so thin…” Beatrice gently cupped Raymond’s face, each glance of hers making her heart ache even more.
“Mom, you’re still the same as before.”
Raymond was also saddened by the sight of his mother’s wrinkles and white hair. The reality of eighteen years apart hit him hard.
This reunion, after such a long separation, was so precious.
“Dad, Mom, let’s get up and talk!”
Sebastian stepped forward and helped his father up, while Eliza and others helped Beatrice to her feet.
Raymond turned to his wife. “Eliza…”
“Raymond…”
After years apart, they weren’t the same as before. Their appearances had changed drastically, but that didn’t stop their longing for each other.
“I’m sorry, Eliza. I’ve caused you so much suffering!”
Eliza shook her head, tears falling from her eyes.
Raymond said nothing but embraced his wife tightly, holding her close.
As Eliza buried her face in his chest, the floodgates of her tears opened, and she cried uncontrollably, letting out the pain she had held inside all these years.
Raymond comforted her, gently patting her back as if reassuring her that he would never leave again.
When their embrace finally ended, Richard stepped forward and embraced his elder brother. “Welcome home!”
“Richard!”
After hugging his brother, Raymond saw Jasper, his eyes red as he called out, “Raymond.”
Looking at his younger brother, who resembled him so much, Raymond felt a deep bond, even though they hadn’t spent much time together.
They shared the same blood, and despite the hardships , they had both made sacrifices for The Vanderbilt Family.
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“Jasper.”
Raymond embraced his brother.
The hug was so tight that Raymond’s ribs, still healing, sent a sharp pain through his body.
“Are you okay?”
Jasper noticed Raymond’s discomfort and loosened his grip. Eliza quickly stepped forward to support Raymond. “Raymond, your broken ribs haven’t healed yet. Let’s go inside and talk.”
Raymond, with the help of his family, was guided into the house. They sat down together, and the conversation turned to the events of the past years, filled with emotions and reflections.
Soon, Vincent and Hazel returned from outside and were introduced to their real uncle.
Raymond, feeling a pang of longing, asked, “Where’s Molly? Is she working today?”
He hadn’t been told about Molly’s hospitalization..
“She got hurt a while ago and is still in the hospital,” Eliza explained.
“Injured? I need to go see her!”
Raymond had met everyone except his daughter, and he felt deeply worried.
“Not yet, let’s have lunch first, and we’ll visit her in the afternoon,” Eliza suggested.
To celebrate Raymond’s return, The Vanderbilt Family had prepared a lavish lunch. The adults sat at one table, and the children at another.
Caitlin stayed to join the family feast, raising a glass in celebration.
Raymond’s eyes filled with tears. “The food at home tastes,so good.”
“If you like it, eat more,” Eliza said, helping him with more food.
Everyone was filled with warmth and emotion.
Reunion was a precious and rare moment, and they all cherished it deeply.
Caitlin, too, loved the lively atmosphere and silently hoped that one day, her mother would return and they could all reunite as a family.
She was waiting for that day.
After lunch, Eliza and Raymond prepared to visit Molly at the hospital, with Sebastian ac along.
At the same time, Caitlin received news from Sienna–Teresa had woken up.
Good. Now, it was time to test Teresa’s response.
nying them, and Caitlin following
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