As Lemira finished speaking, she noticed Evelina's face turning pale, caught in a mix of shock and fear.

With a dramatic sigh, Lemira lamented, "Juggling two relationships? Sooner or later, it's bound to crash down."

"That's nonsense! Evelina isn't like that," Evander immediately protested, glaring at Lemira. "You're just jealous that Eve has so many admirers, all more successful than your broke boyfriend. Did you really think I'd fall for your tricks?"

Lemira, incredulous, retorted, "Me? Stirring up trouble?"

"Exactly. I'm aware of Dorian's existence, one of Eve's admirers," Evander shot back.

With a hint of sarcasm, Lemira replied, "We all know that Evelina and Dorian are more than just that. They're an item."

"That's right," chimed in Alaric. "Evelina and Dorian have been together since they graduated high school."

Evander turned to Evelina, bewildered. "Eve, what's going on here?"

They claimed Evelina was involved with Dorian, but she had never said that to him.

Evelina's mind was in turmoil. She never anticipated that mama's boy Dorian would snoop around Lemira for information and then spill the beans about her engagement plans. She had barely managed to calm Dorian down, and now Lemira had aired it all out in public!

Her face turned ashen as she faced Evander, "Evander, I never officially dated Dorian. He's the one going around telling people we're together."

Admitting to this now was out of the question. Evander would be furious.

After her explanation, Evelina turned her pleading eyes to Asher, "Asher, I owe you an apology for lying."

Asher looked at Evelina intently, "So you never dated Dorian?"

He was taken aback that Evelina had lied to him as well.

Feeling wronged, Evelina lowered her head, remaining silent.

Evander, standing by Evelina, said, "Asher, I know you're ambitious, but you can't

just use Eve to make connections with rich heirs. It'll ruin her."

"I never forced Evelina into anything!" Asher snapped, infuriated by the accusation. Evelina had always been the one looking to climb the social ladder and now she was trying to pin the blame on him?

Seeing Asher's anger, Evelina quickly interjected, "Evander, this isn't Asher's fault. We can't afford to offend the Draven family, so I had to play along with Dorian But there's nothing between us really content

"Eve, I believe you," Evander reassured.

Lemira couldn't help but laugh, "Evelina, please. How many times have you been

with Dorian? And you're telling us nothing happened?"

"Lemira, shut it. You think Eve's like you, settling for a guy without a penny?"

Lemira's expression hardened at that jab.

She continued, "Evelina hasn't just been with Dorian..."

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Before Lemira could finish, Evelina rushed to her side, pleading, "Lemmy, swear I won't compete with you anymore You're the only Ms. Lemira of the Langston family. Once I'm engaged to Evander, I'll move out and won't bother you again."

Please, don't reveal her affair with the gardener. Evander would surely leave her.

Lemira saw through Evelina's pleas and shoved her away, "You just want me to keep quiet about your other escapades. Well, I won't. I'm going to tell." Google seaʀᴄh

Evelina's face turned grim. No, she couldn't let Lemira spill this. Desperate, she grabbed a fruit knife from the table, pressing it to her wrist, "Lemmy, I truly regret it. I'll die right here if that's what it takes."

Lemira rested her chin on her hand, unfazed, "Then go ahead. Show me." Evander was frantic, "Eve, don't do anything rash! What if you hurt yourself?"