you know i see people call characters who definitely aren’t chaotic evil chaotic evil a lot. but you know who actually IS chaotic evil and everyone calls lawful evil? GLaDOS.
barzum-and-baizli

she SEEMS lawful evil if you take her at face value because she presents herself as emotionless and rational despite the fact she Definitely Is Not

barzum-and-baizli

this is not a lawful character

glavkomat

Glados is a chaotic evil character bound by multiple geass (the personality orbs) that force her to be lawful

zevveli

Lawful Evil: Follows set rules, they may not be SOCIETY’S rules, but they are rules. If a Lawful Evil character sets up a series of sadistic traps with the Promise of Cake at the end, there WILL be cake at the end, even if it was an “impossible” test, you get through and they’ll all be like “I don’t have the cake because I really thought you’d die but hang on and I’ll make one for you, chocolate okay?” (Cave Johnson could be considered Lawful Evil)

Neutral Evil: Does what they do because it is either a) self serving, or b) because it furthers the goal of evil. An NE character will do evil because it makes them feel good, or benefits them. Often characters who start out with good intentions but fall prey to corruption fall into this category. (Wheatley is Neutral Evil).

Chaotic Evil: Does what they do for the sole purpose of spreading evil and creating as much pain and suffering as they can. This is not to say that CE characters cannot be scheming and methodical, in fact their schemes can be terrifying to behold when brought to fruition. They may OPERATE within confines of rules and lawfulness, but they have no loyalty towards those confines like a Lawful character would. (G.L.A.D.O.S. Is Chaotic Evil)