Lemira Langston hadn't expected Gregory Jones to be so relentlessly inquisitive. She handed the menu back to the manager before answering. "These were all arranged by Mr. Everhart a while ago."

Gregory's expression immediately shifted into one of sheer flattery. "Mr. Everhart is so wonderful to you, Ms. Langston. The Langston siblings are all so exceptionally talented. It's truly enviable."

Hearing this, Asher Langston looked noticeably smug. "Lemira is only this capable because of how our family raised her. Otherwise, do you really think she'd be where she is today? You're overestimating her, Gregory. How much skill can a naive little girl really have?"

Rowan Langston shot his eldest brother a sharp look. "Asher, there is no need to praise someone by tearing someone else down. Our sister is brilliant, and there's no shame in admitting that."

Asher's face stiffened. "I was just making sure certain people don't get a big head. I'm keeping her grounded."

Lemira tuned out their bickering. When the new dishes were brought to the table, her mind drifted back to the times she used to eat here with Orion Everhart. She hadn't realized the restaurant had updated its menu. The new additions were all childhood favorites she hadn't eaten in years, and the taste was astonishingly nostalgic.

Her grip tightened around her silverware, her gaze unfocused as she stared at the spread.

Rowan placed a piece of meat onto her plate. "Why did you stop eating? Is it not to your liking?"

Caspian Langston chimed in from the side. "Lemira, I remember you loving these dishes when we were kids. It seems the Everhart heir is putting in a lot of effort to coax you into a good mood."

Rowan frowned deeply. "But he still lied to our sister. A little bit of kindness now doesn't erase the things he's done in the past."

Caspian nodded in agreement. "Rowan is right. Our sister isn't that easily won over. With so many men in the world, could we really not find someone better than that Everhart kid?"

Rowan turned his attention back to Lemira. "What are your plans after the lawsuit "wraps up?"

"I'm going back to school. I don't have any other plans."

What Lemira kept to herself was her ultimate goal: severing ties completely and getting as far away from the Langston family as possible.

The meal ended quickly. Not wanting to linger, Lemira set down her fork and prepared to leave.

Rowan immediately stood up. "I'll drive you back."

"No need. I drove myself."

As Lemira rose from her seat, the rest of the table followed suit. Gregory lingered nearby, ever the sycophant. "Let's call it a night then. We should definitely do this again when everyone is free."

As the group walked out of the private dining room, Lemira noticed Sophia Sinclair loitering outside the restaurant Before anyone could react, Mrs. Amelia scrambled out of a parked car and sprinted toward them, zeroing in on Gregory. .net

"Gregory! We had a deal!" Amelia shrieked. "How can you back out on us now?"

Amelia had genuinely believed she was going to win and avoid prison time. She never expected Gregory to turn his back on them.

Gregory looked utterly annoyed. "What are you doing here? I made

myself perfectly clear to your daughter. Our deal was to keep the Sinclair family from flag for bankruptey: I never agreed tohelp you cover up your illegal messes."

Amelia looked absolutely unhinged, her eyes wild with desperation. "You bastard! You slept with my daughter and now you want to wash your hands of us?"

Gregory shoved her away, completely stripping her of whatever dignity she had left. "Didn't I say I would marry her? Isn't that taking responsibility?"

"That's not the same! That wasn't what we agreed upon!"

Gregory sneered. "If you two want to back out of the arrangement, be my guest."

"But my daughter gave you her first time! How can we back out now?"