Taking the Fall for His Illegal Driving

"Go along with it?! Vanessa! Do you even realize he did something illegal?! I could go to prison!"

I was stunned, questioning my wife in disbelief. She did not expect me to blow up like this. Tears instantly streamed down her face as she choked out, "B-but if you don't take the blame for Ryan, what will happen to him?! Honey, please! They won't make things hard for you!"

"Please, Lucas! I'll be ruined if I go in!"

Ryan knelt on the ground. His face was pale white, and he bowed a few times as he begged me.

I was so furious I could barely speak. I pointed at the two of them.

"You two just borrowed my car without permission, and now I'm supposed to take the fall?! I will never agree to this! The fingerprints and cameras will prove it wasn't me!"

Vanessa stayed silent for a moment, biting her lip before she spoke. "All the fingerprints in the car have been wiped clean. When Ryan drove your car, he was wearing your jacket and a mask. He dressed like that because he was afraid the butler would recognize him taking the car out."

"So you just drove off with my car like it was nothing, and now you want me to take the blame?! Should I be grateful that you guys didn't completely total the car? Are you guys dreaming?!"

I was so angry I actually laughed. They made it seem like it was just about taking my sports car for a spin, but now, it all seemed planned. Every detail and every escape route had already been prepared.

"Lucas! Is that how you should talk to me?! I'm just trying to discuss this with you! What's with that attitude?!"

Vanessa's anger flared too. I took a deep breath, ready to curse her, but Ryan interrupted.

"Stop arguing! Lucas, Vanessa, I know I've caused too much trouble already. I'll turn myself in now. Please don't fight because of me."

As our fight spiraled out of control, Ryan stayed silent for a long time, then rose to his feet. His face was full of guilt as he headed for the door.

"Ryan! Where are you going?! If Lucas takes the blame, nothing will happen! His family can pull some strings and get him out easily! But if you go to prison, who's going to help you?! What if you spend your whole life behind bars? Your life will be ruined!"

Vanessa exploded, rushing forward to grab his hand. She glanced at me meaningfully as she spoke.

"If he won't take the blame this time, then I guess our marriage doesn't mean much to him. We might as well sign the papers and get divorced!"

"Vanessa, you're threatening me with divorce?!"

I stared at her in disbelief as my heart sank. Then, I caught the look of triumph in Ryan's eyes, and I snapped.

"What the hell is that look supposed to mean?!"

I lost control. I grabbed Ryan by the collar and punched him. He did not expect the sudden attack and cried out, clutching his face.

"Lucas! Stop hitting me!"

"Don't move! Nobody moves! Police!"

As I slammed Ryan to the ground, Vanessa screamed. She tried to stop me a few times but froze at my glare. At that moment, the police arrived and restrained me.

"Mr. Zane, you are currently suspected of a hit-and-run. Please come with us to the station for the investigation."

They pinned me to the ground as I struggled desperately.

"It wasn't me! I didn't drive the car! Ryan stole it!"

"Whether or not you drove the car will be determined after further investigation by our department! You must come with us now!"

No matter what I said, they would not listen. From the evidence so far, everything pointed to me as the prime suspect.

Vanessa and Ryan suddenly turned into righteous accusers. My own wife pointed at me as her voice grew certain.

"Officer, it was him! He hit someone and ran!"

"That's right! I saw it myself! He hit me earlier because I had no money. He was trying to force me to take the blame! Officer, you have to stand up for me!"

Ryan kept backing her up, twisting the story and blaming everything on me.

In the end, I was dragged away, still struggling, while Ryan called out behind me with feigned concern.

"Lucas! Behave yourself in there! I'll take good care of Vanessa for you! We'll be waiting for you to come back!"

I turned back. My eyes were filled with violent fury, and my chest heaved with rage.

I would make them pay!