Chapter 865
Carey was in tears by the time she finished recounting her past.
It might have sounded like just a story, but it was the reality she had lived for twenty years. Over seven thousand days and nights.
Hearing her words, the faces of her family contorted with rage, and tears of heartbreak streamed down their cheeks. None of them could have imagined the inhuman life Carey had been forced to endure.
Thwack!
Stuart slammed his fist into a nearby cabinet. He hit it with such force that his knuckles split open and bled.
“Carey, I’m going to make them pay p>
He couldn’t control himself, the thought of Carey’s suffering sending him into a blind rage. The Vances. Not a single one of them would escape.
With that, Stuart turned to leave.
Warren and Willis, their faces like thunderclouds, rolled up their sleeves. “Stuart! We’re coming with you p>
How dare those traitors, the Vances, bully their precious sister? Did they think the Richards family was a pushover?
Caitlin quickly stood up, blocking their path. “Dad, Uncle Warren, Uncle Willis, wait a minute p>
Willis glared past her. “Freya, stay out of this. This time, I’m going to destroy the Vances p>
No one was going to stop him. What if the Vances heard they were coming and fled? They had to act now.
Caitlin continued calmly, “Diana and Rosemary have already been arrested and are being held in Valerium’s royal detention center. Revenge can wait. Boiling a frog slowly is much more satisfying p>
Right now, the priority was to be with Carey and help her heal. Although she was physically recovering, the emotional trauma was severe. Caitlin had seen the videos of the Vances abusing Carey. She knew her mother’s experience was far more horrific than what she had described. Vance Castle had been a living hell. Besides, Carey had been cut off from the world for over two decades.
“Isn’t Valerium’s royal family the Vances’ backer?” Warren asked, looking at Caitlin with suspicion. “Freya, are you sure Valerium isn’t just protecting them p>
He knew the Vances had provided crucial intelligence to Valerium in the past. Warren was worried that imprisoning them was just a facade, a way to shield them from retaliation.
“They’re not,” Caitlin said, shaking her head. “Uncle, I saved Prince Hollis’s life. Queen Sally has given me her word that the fate of the Vances is ours to decide p>
The Richards uncles had complete faith in Caitlin. Warren and Willis were no exception. Hearing her explanation, they slowly calmed down.
Stuart looked at Caitlin, his eyes narrowed. “Freya, we can’t let that mother- daughter pair die too easily p>
“I know, Dad,” Caitlin nodded. “I understand p>
Hannah clutched Carey’s hand, weeping. “That old witch from the Vance family, why would she do this to you? We have no feud with them! What right did she have to drag my daughter to Valerium and imprison her for so many years p>
“Why couldn’t they have just come after me p>
The two families had no history, not even an acquaintance. Hannah couldn’t understand why the Vances would target her daughter with such cruelty Or was there someone else pulling the strings a target force play, with the Vances merely acting as the weapon?
Carey shook her head. “I don’t know why they did it either p>
She truly had no idea. Like Hannah, she had never even met Quinton. The
Vances’ hatred seemed to come from nowhere.
Caitlin spoke up. “Mom, Grandma, Celia is already investigating. We’ll soon find
out if there’s a mastermind behind all this p>
Later that afternoon, the remaining
six Richards uncles and their wives arrived in Valerium. Carey shared tearful reunion with her brothers and sisters-in-law, an incredibly moving scene.
Along with them came the thirteen grandchildren of the Richards family.
When Carey had disappeared, the eldest, Easton Richards, was just a boy of
about ten. The youngest, Daniel Richards, was only a year old. Now, all thirteen of her nephews were grown men.
Carey could barely tell them apart.
Easton stood at the front. “Aunt Carey, I’m Easton p>
Stuart had prepared gifts in advance. He handed the boxes to Carey. “Carey, these are for the kids p>
Carey took the gifts and gave one to Easton. “Thank you, Aunt Carey and Uncle Stuart p>
As the eldest, now married with children of his own, Easton was usually the one giving gifts to his younger siblings. It had been a lorg time since he’d been treated like one of the kids.
“Hello, Aunt Carey, I’m Wesley p>
“Hello, Aunt Carey, I’m Sutton p>
“Hello, Aunt Carey, I’m Norris p>
II
“Hello, Aunt Carey, I’m Daniel p>
The thirteen nephews lined up, and Carey handed out gifts one by one. When she
was done, three gifts remained.
Stuart smiled. “Carey, those are for Freya, March, and Celia p>
Celeste was shocked. “Stuart, Carey, there’s a gift for me too?” After all, she wasn’t related by blood.
Stuart nodded. “Of course! March, thank you for being such a good friend to our Freya all this time. Freya only has brothers, no sisters. From now on, you two are sisters p>
Carey smiled and nodded, placing the gift in Celeste’s hands. “March, Stuart is right. From now on, you and our Freya are sisters p>
Though she had only known Celeste for two days, Carey could feel it in her heart.