Chapter 138: Perfect Scapegoat

“Why wouldn’t it? I’m the one who brought the evidence back from East Aploth, and now that it’s out in the open, do you really think I can just walk away from this?” Raylee’s face was dark with frustration. “You two are nothing but trouble, always dragging me down with you. Did I owe you something in a past life!”

“It was just an automatic upload to the cloud. That doesn’t mean I’m the one responsible,” Samuel defended himself. “Don’t jump to conclusions so fast.”

“Say whatever you want, but don’t expect me to take the fall alone,” Raylee shot back with a cold huff.

Harriet felt her stomach twist into knots. If Raylee had been the one to leak the files, she wasn’t worried. The Lorimer family could deal with her however they pleased. But now, Samuel was involved. She smacked his shoulder in frustration. “You reckless brat! How could you be so careless? If the Lorimer family investigates, do you think you can just run?”

Kaylee’s glare at Samuel was so sharp it felt like she was ready to tear him apart on the spot. But what’s done was done. Whether she liked it or not, she and Samuel were now in the same boat. There was no escaping it.

After some thought, she made up her mind—she’d go to the Lorimer family herself. Better to take the initiative than sit around waiting for disaster to strike.

Casimir, noticing her movements, immediately asked, “Where are you going?”

Without hesitation, Raylee answered, “The Lorimer Estate.”

“That’s suicide,” Samuel objected. “You can’t go. If anyone should go, it should be me!”

“No way!” Harriet cut in instantly. “You are not going alone. Just sit tight—I’ll tell your father and let him handle it.”

Kaylee ignored her, grabbing her coat and preparing to leave. Harriet quickly stepped in front of her. “Ray—Ray, you can’t go either!”

Kaylee’s voice turned cold. “This is my business. You don’t get a say.”

“I’m your mother. Of course, I care about you!” Harriet clutched her hand tightly. “If you go, you’re walking straight into a trap. Your father will take care of everything. Just trust him.”

Payler scoffed, her tone dripping with sarcasm. “Oh, really? You actually think you can handle it? You think the Lorimer family will just let this slide? Let’s be real—you were always planning to throw me under the bus. You just needed the right time. It’s not like this is the first time the Goodridge family’s done something like this. What difference does it make if I go…”

Harriet was speechless. Her eyes reddened as she held onto Kaylee’s hand—then, after a moment, let go. Raylee was right. If the Lorimer family demanded accountability, someone had to take the blame. And Raylee was the perfect scapegoat.

“No. Ray—Ray, don’t be so reckless. There’s got to be another way—your father will protect you…” Harriet said weakly, as if trying to convince herself.

Kaylee cast her a cold look, not bothering to waste her breath on fake motherly concern.

“Ray—Bay, Mrs. Goodridge is right. You can’t go!” Casimir also tried to stop her. “Jeremiah was lured to Musmeynia—that place is crawling with criminals, the lowest of the low. What could you possibly do? You’re not strong enough to save him!”

“And what’s your brilliant alternative? Just sit here and wait for the Lorimer family to come knocking?” Raylee snapped. “This isn’t unrelated to you either. You knew Samuel was unreliable, yet you still let him see classified evidence. That makes you just as much of an idiot as he is!”

Coimir was speechless. If someone wanted to blame you, they’d always find an excuse. But what exactly did I do wrong? Review the files. But arguing about it now was pointless.

He sighed, exasperated. “Given how serious this is, the Lorimer family is definitely treating it as a priority. Their estate is basically a lion’s den right now. If you go there, you’re serving yourself up on a silver platter. I won’t let you go.”

From the side, Waverly silently watched Casimir’s concern for Raylee, a flicker of bitterness flashing across her face. Jealousy—it was eating her up inside. Still, she pushed it down and forced herself to say something supportive.

“Raylee, Mom and Caz care about you,” she said softly, “Please listen to them. Don’t risk your life.”

Raylee glanced at Waverly, then deliberately turned to Casimir with a smirk. “Mr. Sutherland, exactly what role are you playing here?” she asked. “Are you acting as an old childhood friend? Or a former fiancé?”

Casimir’s face stiffened in discomfort. “We grew up together. As an old friend, how could I just stand by and watch you walk into your own grave?”

Kaylee rolled her eyes at him.