Asher rushed into the hallway just as Lemira was about to leave.


    "Lemira, wait up!"


    "If your words mean nothing, then there''s no reason for me to stay," Lemira retorted, her tone icy.


    Asher''s expression hardened, and he forced out, "I must have misheard earlier. I thought it was you who started the fight."


    If Lemira left now, what would happen with Caspian and ric? He couldn''t afford to carry that burden.


    Lemira''s lips twisted into a cold smile. "Did you mishear, or did someone deliberately twist the truth?"


    Asher''s tone grew softer. "Does it really matter?"


    "It does matter. You all love sweeping things under the rug, but I''m done with that. We need to clear this up."


    Just as Lemira finished speaking, Caspian dragged Evelina into the room.


    Caspian red at Evelina. "So, what exactly did you tell Asher earlier? Repeat it."


    Evelina sheepishly nced at Asher. "Asher, I never said Lemmy hit me."


    Asher felt a twinge of difort. Evelina hadn''t said it outright, but her tone certainly implied it was Lemira.


    He paused for a moment, then addressed Lemira, "I guess I misheard. Is that enough?"


    "Asher, if you misheard, you should apologize to Lemira," Lucian interjected, stepping in. "You assumed Lemira was at fault, and that''s on you. She''s been wronged by our assumptions before, and we can''t let it happen again."


    Asher''s expression was reluctant. He was Asher, after all. Apologizing wasn''t in his nature.


    Noticing Asher''s hesitation, Evelina quickly added, "It''s really my fault. I misled Asher, which caused all this. I should be the one to apologize."


    Seeing Evelina take the me, Asher felt somewhat relieved. He had been irritated with her moments before.


    Lemira watched as the "two-faced" girl approached her with feigned sincerity and swiftly pped her across the face.


    Evelina was stunned.


    Lemira rubbed her wrist. "Since you''re apologizing, it means you''re admitting fault. pping you is for your own good."


    Evelina screamed, "For my good?"


    "Yes, you''re always so ambiguous. It easily leads to misunderstandings. It''s not a good habit. I''m just helping you correct it. You should be thanking me."


    Lemira even helped Evelina back to her feet, her voice dripping with faux kindness. "Try not to talk like that


    Sore, okay? I don''t want to have


    to do this again."


    Evelina shivered at Lemira''s pleasant expression. This side of Lemira was even more unnerving. What was this woman up to?


    She quickly turned to Asher for support. "Asher!"


    Asher cleared his throat. "Lemira has a point. She helped you up, which shows she wants to get along."


    Evelina nearly exploded with frustration. Lemira''s actions were anything but conciliatory, but with Asher''s stance, she didn''t dare argue.


    Lemira let go of Evelina''s hand, making a point to wipe her own on Evelina''s clothing.


    Evelina felt her blood pressure spike. This woman was definitely doing this on purpose, pretending to return to the Langston family to take


    everything from her.


    Back in the dining room, the butler, Zack, approached. "Mr. Langston, shall we serve dinner?"


    Lemira''s smirk deepened when she saw Zack.


    Zack noticed her gaze but avoided making eye contact.


    As they took their seats, Lemira noticed Evelina habitually pulling out a chair. She


    swooped in and sat down. "Thanks!"


    Evelina fumed. "That''s my seat!"


    "Really? Well, I just love sitting here," Lemira replied with a cheeky grin.