Lemira hadn't planned on asking too many questions, but things were different now between her and Orion.

Orion nodded, "Yeah, my mom asked her to come, but we're not really close."

So that's how it was.

Lemira thought about how Sophia also knew Thaddeus. They probably all ran in the same circles.

Back in the private room, Lemira resumed eating. She hadn't quite satisfied her hunger earlier.

Orion, on the other hand, was lost in thought, replaying the scene from before. Mrs. Amanda hadn't outed him in public, which was a relief.

He watched Lemira eat, hesitating all the while.

Once Lemira finished, she noticed Orion's troubled expression. "What's on your mind?" Newest update provided by find⸺novel.net

"I have a friend who's in a bit of a situation."

"Oh? What's going on?"

Lemira wondered if this friend was Thaddeus.

"My friend comes from a pretty well-off family. He started dating someone but hasn't told her about his background. Now he's unsure if he should come clean."

"In that case, I say break up."

Orion paled at the mention of breaking up.

He swallowed nervously, "Break up? But what if he doesn't want to break up?" "Well, then why wasn't he honest from the start?"

Lemira spoke earnestly, "I think two people in a relationship should be honest. If he's hiding his identity, isn't it because he's worried she's after his money?"

"It's not that."

Orion was getting flustered. Negotiating business deals had never made him this anxious.

"Then what is it?"

Orion couldn't bring himself to explain under Lemira's gaze. The real reason was even harder to admit.

Lemira leaned in closer, "Orion, something's off with you."

Orion was sweating bullets.

Lemira squinted at him, "You're defending this friend a lot. Could it be that the friend is actually you?"

Orion was too startled to respond.

Lemira laughed, "Just kidding. It's probably Thaddeus, right?"

Orion was drenched in cold sweat. Should he confess now?

But Lemira had just suggested breaking up.

He didn't want to end things at all.

In the end, the Everhart heir chickened out. He'd have to come up with a clever plan and maybe consult Thaddeus later.

Lemira glanced at her watch, "Let's go. It's getting late."

They left Bistrova together.

Outside, Lemira spotted Evander and Evelina still lingering. She was surprised, "You

guys still haven't gone in?"

Evelina's face twisted with anger. That witch.

Being left out here had to be Lemira's doing.

Evander was furious and shouted, "Lemira, did you say something t Asher He's been inside this whole. time and hasn't answered our calls.

Otherwise, how else could they still be stuck outside?

"You should ask Asher that, not me."

Lemira guessed Asher was doing this on purpose, likely fed up with the pair as well.

Evelina pouted, "Lemmy, I know you have issues with me, but today's gathering is really important for the foundation. If you mess this up and the foundation faces problems, you'll regret it."

Damn it, she heard Mrs. Waverly was attending today.

Making a good impression on Mrs. Waverly could have been her ticket to advancement, but she hadn't even gotten past Bistrova's doors, det alone met Mrs. Waverly.

And it was all because Lemira was meddling.

Lemira was definitely trying to stop her from meeting Mrs. Waverly.

Evander wheeled up to Lemira, grabbing her hand, "You have to take me and Eve inside now, or you can't leave."

He promised Eve a visit to Bistrova and couldn't go back on his word.