Irene looked up and saw Raymond, her face instantly turning pale. The previous smugness and arrogance vanished, leaving only panic. "Raymond. When did you get here?"
Raymond's gaze was as cold as ice, his voice carrying suppressed anger. "It doesn't matter. What's important is how much I've heard. You stole the pendant, you orchestrated the hospital incident, your getting close to me was always a scam, wasn't it?"
Irene suddenly stood up, lunging forward to grab Raymond's hand, but he harshly shook her off, causing her to stagger back two steps before steadying herself.
"No! Raymond, please let me explain!" she cried, tears welling up in her eyes. "It's just that I love you so much. I was afraid that if I told the truth, you'd go back to Serena and leave me! I did all this because I car
