Chapter 29 Throw Them Out

“No need for thanks,” Jeremiah said. “There’s no need to be so formal.” In the midst of the crowd, he casually pinched her nose, ignoring the onlookers.

Raylee looked up, meeting his gaze—eyes as deep as the ocean, as if the stars themselves had fallen within. In that moment, he seemed a legendary hero from some old tale, her hero for life.

Observing Jeremiah’s affection, Waverly clenched her fists. Envy and jealousy consumed her. Casimir had never treated her so. Their hand-holding could be counted on three fingers. His indifference had deepened since her failed attempt to attract him at his birthday party. How could Raylee, an ex-convict, deserve the Lorimer heir's affection? Waverly seethed.

“Jeremiah, please,” she pleaded, wiping away tears and helping Shanice up, deliberately creating confusion. “Don’t blame Shanice! It’s all my fault!”

“Are you the Goodridge heiress?” Jeremiah’s expression was a blend of anger and disinterest.

Intimidated by his piercing gaze, Waverly meekly nodded. She launched into a pretentious explanation: “I didn’t know what angered Raylee. She suddenly lashed out at Shanice, who was only defending herself. It’s a misunderstanding…” The underlying message: Raylee started the fight. She hoped to shift blame away from Shanice, even onto Raylee. She assumed the Lorimer heir was reasonable, but she overestimated his moral compass. He saw through her facade.

“My fiancée does as she pleases,” he said eloquently. “Whether she loses her temper or picks a fight. Even if she wanted to commit murder, I’d hand her the weapon myself. Who are you to interfere?”

Silence descended. A normal man wouldn't speak so arrogantly. He was, indeed, the insufferably arrogant Lorimer son. Raylee was astonished by his assertive words. Gentle as a perfect gentleman, angry as a demon.

Waverly clutched her dress, her downcast eyes portraying pitiful innocence. “Jeremiah, you’re so good to Raylee. Regardless, I’m at fault…”

Jeremiah ignored her. “Of course, you’re at fault!” he roared.

Waverly felt utterly ashamed, her wide eyes welling with tears. Jeremiah wasn't gentle with all women. He made a phone call. “Bring them in!”

Within a minute, four bodyguards in black arrived. His handsome face darkened. “Take these troublemakers to the police station,” he commanded ruthlessly. “Submit the footage and witness testimonies. Let them enjoy prison food!”

Shanice and Waverly were stunned. “We did nothing wrong!” Shanice protested. Waverly collapsed. Their guilt was irrelevant; the Lorimers' word was law in Jexburgh, Raylee's four-year prison ordeal being testament to that.

As the situation escalated, Raylee intervened. “Forget it. It’s a charity dinner. Let’s not spoil the mood.”

“Let them go?” Jeremiah asked.

Raylee nodded. “I’m here for my grandmother. Everything I do represents her.”

She wasn’t a saint. She deeply resented Shanice and Waverly, especially Waverly, who had falsely accused her of theft four years prior. She yearned to torture Waverly, but this wasn’t the time for revenge. She’d settle the score herself, not letting Jeremiah fight her battles. Otherwise, she’d be no different from Waverly.

Jeremiah relented. “Get them out of here!”

The bodyguards roughly restrained the women, escorting them away like criminals. Raylee said nothing. Out of sight, out of mind. The crowd dispersed.

Jeremiah’s handsome face showed displeasure. “Why did you come alone?”

“My grandmother was unwell,” Raylee explained. “I came in her place.”

“If you could accompany your grandmother, why not me?” His voice, deep and magnetic, held a hint of grievance, even jealousy, leaving Raylee flustered.

She lowered her gaze. “I was teasing,” Jeremiah said, a smirk playing on his lips. “I rarely attend auctions, especially charity ones. Can you guess why I’m here?”

“Why?”

“I have a video conference. I’ll explain later. Just wait for me.”

Meanwhile, the bodyguards tossed Waverly and Shanice onto the street like trash. Disheveled and humiliated, they landed hard.

Shanice rose, cursing the bodyguards. “I’ll deal with you later!”

“Get lost!” the bodyguards sneered, and left.

Shanice’s hair was a mess. She turned to Waverly. “What’s going on? How did Raylee become Jeremiah’s fiancée? Didn’t she just get out of prison?”

Wiping her tears, Waverly explained, “My parents arranged a blind date a few days ago.”

“A blind date? So she isn’t officially his fiancée?”

“Not yet,” Waverly said, “but judging by his demeanor, he’s smitten with Raylee.”

Shanice gritted her teeth. “Is he blind? Falling for an ex-convict?”

“But what good does his affection do?” Waverly cried. “How could the Lorimers accept someone like Raylee?”

Two luxury cars pulled up. Casimir and Samuel emerged, confused by the disheveled women. Waverly threw herself into Samuel’s arms, sobbing. “Samuel, you’re here!”

“What happened?” Samuel asked angrily. “Who bullied you?”