Asher''s expression was tense. "Lemira, we absolutely cannot afford to upset Mrs. Grace Draven."


    "I understand, but someone''s health was at stake, and that''s important too. I asked Evelina to handle the dessert delivery herself."


    "Lemmy, you told me to stay out of this event. Besides, no one listens to me anyway." Evelina chimed in, her voice dripping with exaggerated concern. "Asher, I was just thinking of the family''s reputation. But Lemira, she''s putting a nobody ahead of Mrs. Draven. It''s like trading a gourmet meal for fast food."


    Asher frowned, turning to Lemira. "You made the wrong call this time, Lemira. Eve''s right; Mrs. Grace Draven is not someone we can afford to offend. Go deliver those desserts immediately."


    "Okay," Lemira replied, not wanting to escte things further. After all, the Aurora Trust was a legacy her parents had built.


    Lemira turned on her heel and left, with Evelina smirking triumphantly behind her. Evelina relished the thought of Lemira having to navigate this situation.


    Asher paused for a moment. "Who''s in the lounge?"


    Evelina dismissed it with a wave. "It doesn''t matter, Asher. There''s nothing significant going on. Let''s get back out there; Mrs. Grace Draven is waiting."


    She pulled Asher away, dismissing the woman in the lounge as inconsequentialpared to Mrs. Draven.


    Inside the lounge, Mrs. Amanda stood by the door, having overheard the conversation outside. She could tell from the Langstons'' tone that Lemira wasn''t being treated fairly.


    Mrs. Amanda was shocked to realize Lemira was the girl from all those years ago.


    Unable to contain herself, she called her son, Orion, who picked up quickly. "Son, I have to ask you something. Do you know who Lemira is?"


    Orion fell silent at the question.


    After a moment, he replied quietly, "She''s the girl I care about."


    Mrs. Amanda was taken aback. "Don''t lie to me. You know the truth, don''t you?" Orion''s voice was steady. "It doesn''t matter."


    "How can you say that? Of all people, why her? You two can''t be together unless she turns her back on her family!"


    Mrs. Amanda felt sure Lemira was unaware of the full story, and knowing Orion, he hadn''t told her the truth.


    Her voice quivered, "Lemira is a good girl. You''re going to hurt her."


    "I''ll protect her," Orion insisted.


    "You can''t. You don''t understand how a girl''s mind works."


    After hanging up, Mrs. Amanda covered her face with her hands, ovee with emotion. Everything in her life had gone smoothly, even her stepson was exemry. But she had made one grave mistake, and now the consequences wereing home to roost.  s<fn6360> N?w ?ovel chapt?rs are published on find?novel</fn6360>


    Thinking of how Lemira had been so unfairly treated growing up, even hospitalized by her brother, made Mrs. Amanda''s heart ache.


    Life, she thought, has a cruel sense of humor.


    Outside, the charity auction was about to begin.


    Lemira went around distributing desserts to everyone. But when she reached Mrs. Grace Draven, the


    woman sneered, "You dare serve


    this to your guests?"  s


    Evelina leaned in, whispering sharply, "Lemira, I told you to serve Mrs. Grace


    Draven separately. Why did you give everyone the same thing?"


    Mrs. Grace Draven wasn''t in the same social league as the rest.


    Lemira remainedposed. "I thought everyone should have a taste."


    Serving Mrs. Draven separately would only highlight the Langston family''s elitism.


    "Keep your cheap snacks to


    yourself!" Mrs. Draven eximed


    tossing the dessert at Lemira before rising to leave. "This is pointless. If it werent for the Waverlies, wouldn''t have bothered showing up!  s


    ?


    Asher rushed to cate her, turning back to Lemira with amand. "What are you standing there for? Apologize to Mrs. Grace Draven!"