Shattered Vows: Call Me Auntie Now novel Chapter 108

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Inside a highly exclusive VIP room at The Apex Lounge, Luke Bennett sat with one leg crossed over the other, swirling the liquor in his glass while eyeing the man across from him.

"Ray, I didn't think you gave a damn about the Moretti family business. I never thought you'd actually come back."

Among their childhood friend group, Raymond had easily had the most tragic upbringing.

He grew up without a mother, and his father despised him. Only his grandparents truly loved him. When his grandfather was alive, he could at least keep Raymond's father in check. But the moment the old man passed away, his father exiled him overseas. He was only ten years old.

So, unlike the rest of them who were born with silver spoons and pampered their whole lives, Raymond had dragged himself through hell.

Because of that suffering, Luke knew Raymond felt zero attachment to his biological family and harbored a deep, burning resentment toward his father.

Sure, the Morettis were a top-tier family in Riverton, but the wealth and power Raymond had quietly amassed over the years in Harbor Heights and abroad eclipsed his family's assets by a landslide.

Besides, Dante had always been rumored to be the successor Raymond's father actually favored. With Raymond back, a brutal corporate war with Dante was inevitable. In Luke's eyes, there was absolutely no reason for Raymond to wade back into this mess.

Raymond lazily turned his own glass, the amber liquid reflecting the dark, guarded emotions hidden in his eyes.

He set the glass down, his tone casual and indifferent.

"No matter how good it is out there, there are still things here I can't let go of. I had to come back eventually."

"Can't let go of?"

Luke raised an eyebrow before a look of realization dawned on his face.

Assuming Raymond was talking about his grandmother, he nodded. "The old lady is in her nineties now, but she's still sharp as a tack and in great health. She talks about you all the time."

At the mention of his grandmother, the cold edge on Raymond's face melted away. An image of the sweet old woman's smiling face surfaced in his mind. "It's not safe for me to show my face just yet. Once everything is settled, I'll go visit her."

"Look, if you're not into guys, that makes things easy. I can find you a stunning, clean girl right now."

Instead of answering, Raymond stood up.

With his sharp haircut, flawlessly striking yet relentlessly cold features, and a tall, powerful build, he was undeniably devastating to look at.

Luke thought to himself that a guy like Raymond could just stand in a room breathing, and women would violently fight each other just to get to him.

But Raymond clearly had zero interest in the offer. He picked up his phone from the coffee table, shoved it into his pocket, and shot him down ruthlessly.

"Pass. Keep them for yourself."

As Raymond headed for the door, Luke yelled after him, refusing to drop it.

"Hey, I'm serious! A man has needs! Don't come crying to me when your equipment stops working!"