Chapter 123: The Plan Backfired
“I firmly believe in Mindy’s innocence,” Waverly declared, expressing unwavering support. “She couldn’t possibly have stolen anything. She must have been framed!”
The security guard stated seriously, “We found the stolen necklace right in her bag. Does she still think she can deny it? This diamond necklace is worth millions, so this is a serious crime. Now, off to the security office with you. We’ll handle this with the police!”
Mindy, restrained by the security guards, cried out in panic, “Wavy, help me! I don’t want to go to prison!”
“Mom, please, we have to help Mindy! I can’t just stand by and watch her go to prison!” Waverly urgently pleaded with Harriet.
“What can I possibly do? The evidence points to Mindy stealing…” Harriet frowned, adding, “Wavy, you’ve really chosen the wrong person to trust. I’ve told you before that this friend of yours is no good. If it weren’t for the fact she once saved you, I wouldn’t have allowed her to associate with you.”
“Mrs. Goodridge, I’m innocent! I really don’t understand how this happened. I intended to put the necklace in Raylee’s bag, but somehow it ended up in mine…” Mindy said, shooting an anxious glance at Raylee. Upon realizing she had blurted something she shouldn’t have, she quickly clamped her mouth shut. However, it was too late. The scene immediately erupted into commotion.
“Mindy, how could you do this to Raylee?” Shock washed over Waverly’s face. Raylee glanced at her, her face devoid of emotion. It was unclear whether Waverly was genuinely surprised or merely pretending. If this was an act, her shocked expression was so convincing that even an award-winning actress would be put to shame.
Mindy wore a face of utter bewilderment. Her scheme had not only failed but had backfired, and worse, she had inadvertently revealed it herself. She couldn’t express how much she regretted her actions.
Pointing at Mindy, Harriet angrily rebuked, “Mindy, how dare you try to frame Raylee? You’re a bad seed, utterly despicable to the core!”
“Mrs. Goodridge, I didn’t do it on purpose! I realize my mistake, and I have no idea how the necklace ended up in my bag,” Mindy explained in a panic.
“No matter how that necklace ended up in your bag, your intentions were impure, and you must pay the price!” Harriet was seething with anger as she turned to the security guard. “Take her to the police station and handle it as you see fit. I won’t interfere!”
“Hmph! You better be prepared to spend your life behind bars for daring to steal a diamond necklace worth millions!”
Shocked, Mindy’s body went limp as she almost fainted.
Kaylee, with a murderous gaze, hurled harsh curses at her, “It’s who ruined me! When did you find out? And when did you slip the necklace into my bag?”
Kaylee scoffed, giving her a cold stare. “So, now that your attempt to frame me has failed, you’re trying to shift the blame to me, is that it? I feel like you’re destined to go to prison. I had already let you off once, yet here you are, insisting on walking into this yourself. In that case, accept your prison sentence. Once inside, focus on mending your ways…”
Waverly quickly stepped forward to defend Mindy.
“Raylee, stop being so harsh. Mindy didn’t do it on purpose. She’s a good person. She must have her reasons for acting this way!”
“She has her reasons?” Raylee sneered. “Do I have some sort of deep grudge with her that she would actually try to frame me for the theft? Have you considered the consequences I’d have to face if she successfully framed me for the theft of a necklace that costs millions?”
Waverly was left speechless and once again directed a pleading look to Harriet.
“Mom, please, I’m begging you to help Mindy!”
Harriet rejected her with icy indifference. “Wavy, don’t concern yourself with this matter. Even if I could help her, I wouldn’t. People like her, with questionable character, could still bring you trouble in the future even if they’ve saved your life before. It’s best to cut ties with them sooner rather than later.”
Following that, the security guards escorted Mindy to the security office. Waverly adamantly refused to leave, insisting on going in with them. Harriet followed along, her heart aching with helplessness and sympathy. Raylee also followed to watch.
Grasping onto Raylee’s arm, Waverly pleaded, “Raylee, please spare Mindy! She really must be going through some difficulties. She wouldn’t hurt you without a reason.”
“Four years ago, it happened once, and now, four years later, it’s happening again. Tell me, what kind of hardship is she under that she has to torment me to this extent?” Raylee’s face was shrouded in darkness as she spoke seriously. “Moreover, whether to let her off this time isn’t solely up to me. With so many eyes watching and irrefutable evidence, she has no excuse.”
“This time, I’m standing by Raylee,” Harriet declared indignantly. “This woman has hurt Raylee time and again, and I won’t let her get away with it!”