Asher''s face flushed with anger, turning a shade of crimson as intense emotions surged within him. For a moment, he was at aplete loss for words.
Lemira paid him no mind and instead walked out of the lounge with Orion by her side.<fnef2a> ??? ????? ???????s ??? ?????s??? ?? Find1Novel</fnef2a>
Lucian considered following them, but with Asher having fainted from anger, he had no choice but to stay behind and care for him.
Outside, Lemira nced over the lively charity event. "What brings you here?" she asked Orion.
"I was concerned, so I decided toe and see how things were going," he answered, carefully examining her expression. Despite her usualposed demeanor, he couldn''t shake off a sense of unease.
He couldn''t resist inquiring, "What''s your n regarding the foundation?"
Lemira gave a light shrug, a mischievous smile tugging at her lips. "I was acting. The more I pretend to be reluctant, the more Evelina will trust my words."
She secretly hoped Evelina would make a move on the funds raised today.
Orion had suspected as much, though he had been too distracted by other concerns to fully realize it earlier.
"Today, two prominent societydies attended, Mrs. Amanda and Mrs. Grace Draven. Likely here out of respect for the Waverlies."
Lemira suddenly turned to him, curiosity in her eyes. "I realized today that I''ve seen Mrs. Amanda at the hospital once. Do you remember?"
Orion''s expression grew slightly awkward. "I remember."
"She was with me in the elevator, seemed like she was avoiding someone. As soon as we stepped out, she bolted."
At the time, Lemira hadn''t given it much thought, but now it seemed peculiar.
Orion felt like a tightrope walker, precariously bnced over a deep chasm. His stepmother had discovered Lemira was the girl from the car ident years ago, and he knew it wouldn''t remain a secret for long.
He hesitated, then asked, "Lemira, what do you think about what Asher said regarding differences in status?"
He worried she might be upset if she knew his true identity, fearing she would think he hid it from her because he suspected her of being a gold-digger.
Lemira rose on her tiptoes and ced a finger over his lips. "I don''t care."
Orion held her hand. "Please, let me exin."
"No, you listen to me. I don''t care about who you are or where youe from because I love you for who you are."
Lemira cupped his face in her hands. "Don''t let Asher''s words bother you. You matter more to me than any of them."
Orion''s heart swelled with emotion, as if filled to the brim with warmth.
Finally, he summoned the courage. "Lemira, actually, I am—"
But Lemira''s attention shifted, her gazending somewhere beyond him. "Is that Matthew?"
kn
Orion turned and, sure enough, there was the kid, caught in the act, hiding behind a now cleared arrangement of flowers. s
He bit his tongue in frustration. Was this kid born just to mess with him?
Lemira walked over to where Matthew stood, curious about what had so captivated him.
Orion gave Matthew a swift nudge with his foot, making him wince, "Ow! Who''s kicking me?"
As soon as Matthew saw Orion, he quickly fell silent, like a meek littlemb.
Lemira, witnessing Orion''s kick, was startled, but Matthew didn''t seem upset. Were they on good terms?
She turned to Matthew, "What are you doing here?"
"I-I was looking for my mom, but when I got here, she was already gone."
Matthew scrambled for an excuse.
Lemira nodded, remembering Mrs. Amanda had indeed attended the event. 4 need to thank Mrs. Amanda for helping me out today.should take her to dinner sometime. s
"That''s a great idea! After all, we''re going to be family someday," Matthew blurted
out.
Lemira chuckled, shaking her head. "Family? You''re joking, right?"
Matthew nced at Orion, thinking he must have told Lemira already. But it seemed he hadn''t.
At that moment, Orion''s palms were
slick with sweat, nerves skittering him as he looked at Lemira.
throug
"There''s something need to tell you." s
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