Lemira's words were a slap in the face to Sophia.

The rich kid immediately piped up, "Hey, don't you know what's good for you? Ms. Sinclair herself is asking you to be gracious, and you dare to refuse?"

"Just because you're a suck-up doesn't mean everyone else is."

The rich kid's face contorted with rage. "Who the hell do you think you are? You think sleeping with Mr. Everhart a few times means you can just climb the social ladder? Ms. Sinclair is the one with the marriage arrangement with Mr. Everhart. You're just the other woman!"

"Shut up!"

Orion's fist flew, landing a hard, heavy blow.

His eyes were cold as ice. "Let me make this perfectly clear, once and for all. There

has never been any marriage arrangement between my family and the Sinclair family. The next person who spreads that rumor will have to answer to me."

The room was dead silent.

Sophia's hand trembled, nearly dropping her glass. She thought Orion would protect her reputation; after all, they had grown up together.

She never imagined he would publicly deny the engagement rumor. She was going

to become the laughingstock of their entire social circle.

Why would he do this?

"Orion," Sophia choked out, her eyes red.

Orion's face was unreadable. "I warned you a long time ago to clear this up yourself,

to avoid any misunderstandings with my girlfriend."

Lemira stood beside him, his deep, cold voice ringing in her ears.

She looked up and saw Sophia's tear-streaked face, a stark contrast to the condescending attitude of a wife confronting her husband's mistress she'd displayed

at the coffee shop.

When it came to acting, Ms. Sinclair was truly in a league of her own.

Sophia noticed Lemira's gaze and said miserably, "Are you satisfied now?"

"That's hilarious. You and Orion were never engaged. I didn't start the rumor, and I

didn't deny it. What does any of this have to do with me?"

"But if you hadn't shown up, everything would have been fine between us."

Perhaps the rumor could have even become reality.

But now, with Lemira in the picture, all of Sophia's hopes and fantasies had been shattered.

Lemira refused to be blamed. "Orion

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doesn't like you. What's that got to do with me? You should be

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questioning him, not me Are you out of your mind?"

The rich kid rushed forward. "How dare you speak to her like that?"

Orion stepped in front of Lemira, his eyes flashing a warning. "She's right. Even

without her, I would never have gotten engaged to Sophia."

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The glass slipped from Sophia's hand and shattered on the floor. Her

usually elegant and composed

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expression was now one of utter devastation

Lemira noticed the shocked and incredulous looks on the faces of everyone else in the room.

But all she knew was that hearing those words made her own heart race.

Orion stood before her, shielding her from the curious stares of the others.

Lemira lowered her gaze, the voices around her fading away, his words echoing in her mind.

Sophia's voice was thick with tears. "Orion..."

Orion's gaze was heavy. "I have a name."

"Are you really going to cut ties with me just because of Lemira?"

Sophia had had a charmed life.

"A while ago, when my grandmother was in the hospital, I accidentally lost my phone. You found it for me. But you shouldn't have answered that cat You made my girlfriend misunderstand and argue with me."

Orion had been so focused on Lemira recently that he hadn't had the time to deal with Sophia.

But since they were here now, he might as well clear the air completely.

Lemira looked up in surprise, noticing the gossiping eyes all around them. She really

didn't want to be the center of this spectacle.

She whispered, "That's enough. There are too many people here."

Sophia completely broke down, shouting, "Lemira, I don't need your pity!"