The Leicester Heir

Chapter 2

Ray couldn't believe that Sarah had slapped him. His hand shot up to cover his face as he felt the intensity of the pain from the blow. Everyone was silent, watching in disbelief that such a thing could happen.

Ava's grandmother who saw what was going on rose up from her seat, as her cane tapped against the polished floor.

"Trash! how dare you accuse my granddaughter of presenting a fake gift?" she raised up her hand as she pointed at him.

Ray was furious as he shouted out "You all are being deceived, Grandmother, the bowl that Sarah presented is not genuine. I've researched the Feng Wei bowls countless times, and that one is clearly a forgery, even the lines could tell that they are fake" he insisted.

Despite the fact that Ava's grandmother knew that it was fake she still wanted to shield the humiliation from her granddaughter.

"You have the audacity to come in here late with your filthy sweating body, and then have the nerve to question the authenticity of my granddaughter's gift?" The elderly woman's eyes rolled, She was extremely furious.

"I will not tolerate such disrespect in my own home."

Ava stepped forward, placing a hand on Ray's arm in an attempt to calm him down. "Grandmother, please, I'm sure Ray didn't mean any offense. He's just trying to-"

"Silence, Ava!" Her grandmother snapped, silencing Ava with her hands raised.

"This trash has brought nothing but shame and embarrassment to our family. I will not stand it any longer."

Ava's sister, Sarah, stood smiling happily as she was satisfied by the outcome.

Ava's grandmother turned her attention back to Ray, as her face hardened.

"You must get a divorce Ava, he has overstayed his welcome. I want him to leave this house immediately and never show his face here again. He is no longer welcome in this family."

Without warning, Ava went over to where Ray was located at and raised her hand, slapping him forcefully across the cheek.

*Paaaaaaah!*

"Next time Don't speak to Sarah that way!" Ava shouted, her voice trembling slightly as she didn't mean it entirely. "You need to apologize to Sarah right now, do you understand?"

Ray was at a loss of words, and for a moment. He had never expected Ava, the one person he thought would stand by him, to turn against him like this. Swallowing his pride, he reluctantly turned to Sarah and bowed his head.

"I... I'm sorry, Sarah. I shouldn't have accused you of presenting a fake gift," Ray finally mumbled, the words.

Sarah's lips curled into a wicked smirk, and she went over him and whispered in his ear,

"No matter what grandmother will always favor me, even though she knows it's fake over a trash like you"

Ava's grandmother added, "Well, at least the boy has the sense to apologize. Now, get out of my sight. I've had enough of your antics for one day. Get out!”

Ray, who was furious, stomped off. He knew that if he stayed he might not have enough control over his anger.

He stepped outside, as the cool wave of fresh breeze hit him, he took a deep breath.

“Damn! Ahhhhh! I feel like squeezing life out of them" Ray held his fist in a very tight position as they were becoming white. He couldn't believe that Ava, the one person he had come to rely on, had betrayed him. If she couldn't stand by him, then who could he trust?

Ray walked out of the hall, his pace quickening with each step. He was furious, hurt, and above all, he utterly felt betrayed.

Suddenly, he heard a familiar voice calling out his name. "Ray! Ray, wait!"

He didn't want to turn around. She was running on her high heels causing her to stumble a bit, but she regained her balance as she ran towards him. Ray considered ignoring her, but he just stopped.

As Ava approached, she lost her footing and began to fall. With his reflex in play he turned back and reached out and caught her, his arms wrapping around her slender frame.

Ava looked up at him, her with a watery drop of tears running down her eyes.

"Ray, I'm so sorry. I... I didn't mean to betray you like that. I was just so embarrassed, and I didn't know what to do," she said, her voice quivering.

Ray felt his heart tremble a bit"Hmmm.. Ava. you always go too far in trying to protect me from your family."

Ava nodded, sniffling softly. "I'm sorry, Ray. I really am. I know my family can be a handful, but they're all I have. I don't want them to look down on you anymore. Please, can you forgive me?"

Ray hesitated for a moment, then sighed heavily. "Of course I forgive you, Ava. You're the only one I can truly rely on in this family."

Ava regretted her actions, but her being quick to apologize made Ray’s anger die down. She threw her arms around him, burying her face in his chest.

As Ava held him, Ray gently pulled away, as his eyes were glued to hers,

"Ava, I appreciate your apology, and I understand why you did what you did. But I need to go see my own grandmother. She's ill, and I can't ignore that any longer."

Ava's street at him wondering,

"Your grandmother? But I thought-"

Ava didn't know that Ray had a family, she thought that they were all dead.

"It's a long story, one I don't have time to get into now. But I need to go to her. she's been trying to reach me, and I've pushed her away for too long."

Ava nodded slowly, her brow raised up

"Alright, Ray. I understand. Just... Please be careful, okay? I don't want you to get hurt again."

Ray smiled and squeezed her hand reassuringly. "I'll be fine, Ava. I promise." With that, he turned and began making his way towards the exit. F

As he reached the grand gates of the Jenson estate, Ray pulled out his phone and quickly dialled a familiar number. "Dave, it's me. I'm on my way home."

"Thank you, Young Master," came the butler's response.