Chapter 146: Fates Intertwined

“I’ll decide for myself. I don’t need anyone interfering,” Raylee said indifferently, turning and leaving the Lorimer Estate. The meeting was scheduled for the following evening at a dock in the northern part of Mian. There was still time to reconsider, but she had no other choice. At this point, her fate was tied to Jeremiah’s. If he was gone, so was she. If he lived, so did she.

Meeting Jeremiah had been inevitable—a chapter in her life she had no way of avoiding. She had no choice but to accept it with dignity.

On the way back, Casimir and Samuel kept trying to talk her out of it. Raylee remained silent, eventually closing her eyes to rest. Her indifference only fueled their frustration.

At the entrance of Goodridge Manor, Samuel had lost all patience. He was pacing like a lion ready to pounce. “You really plan on saving that scum? You’re just rushing to your own death! Is there no one left in this world that you actually care about? Not even Grandma? If something happens to you, what is she supposed to do?”

Raylee shot him a cold look. “So what now? Are you going to run off and snitch to Grandma like last time? Or are you planning to kidnap me again and sell me off to a red-light district?”

Samuel clenched his jaw. “How many times do I have to explain? That was an accident! I never meant to send you to that place. I was trying to protect you!”

Raylee’s voice was sharp. “Thanks, but no thanks. My mind is made up, so don’t waste your breath. Unless you’ve got another way to save Jeremiah—or unless you’re willing to stand against the Lorimer family for me. Otherwise, stop yapping; I don’t need words, I need actions.”

Samuel opened his mouth to argue, but Casimir held him back. His expression was serious. “Ray—Ray’s right,” Casimir said. “Unless you have a better plan, everything you say is just empty talk.”

Samuel clenched his fists. “So what? We’re just supposed to let her walk into her own grave?”

“I don’t think they want to harm her,” Casimir mused after a moment. Then he made a decision. “I’ll go with you tomorrow. One more person means more security. You shouldn’t have to go alone.”

Kaylee looked at him in shock. “You’re coming with me? Do you even know what kind of place that is? Aren’t you scared?”

Casimir smirked, his eyes calm and steady. “If I were scared, I wouldn’t be Casimir.”

For the first time, Kaylee saw a side of him that shattered everything she thought she knew. Casimir, the legitimate heir of the Sutherland family, a young talent with an esteemed status and limitless potential—and yet, he was willing to go to Musmcyma, a place known as a death trap. She saw determination in his eyes. No fear, no hesitation. For a moment, she found herself drowning in that gaze, her emotions stirred, her heart trembling.

Samuel, however, stared at Casimir as if he had lost his mind. “She’s already crazy, but now you too?” he snapped. “Even Jeremiah got torn apart in that hellhole, what makes you think you’d survive? Stop messing around! Things are already chaotic enough; we don’t need you adding fuel to the fire!”

This concern was understandable. Casimir wasn’t just anyone; he was the heir to Sutherland Group. If anything happened to him, the Goodridge family would never hear the end of it. Raylee knew this too. But why should she care about the Goodridge family’s troubles?

She stared at Casimir, her expression unreadable as she spoke. “Are you sure about this? You’ve really thought it through?”

Casimir’s eyes held a firm, unwavering light. “Of course. A promise is a promise.”

Raylee let out a slow, cold smile. “Then let’s look forward to our trip to Musmeynia.”

As she turned toward the mansion, Samuel hesitated as if he wanted to chase after her. Casimir grabbed his arm. “She’s made up her mind. Your nagging won’t change anything. And don’t even think about telling your grandmother—she wouldn’t be able to handle the shock.”

Samuel scowled. “So we’re just supposed to stand back and watch her die? She’s so stubborn, she never listens. One moment she’s throwing cups at my head, the next she’s running off to get herself killed. Sometimes, I really feel like letting her fend for herself.”

Casimir shot him a sharp look. “Since she got out of prison, do you even know how much sh*t you’ve put her through?”