Asher shot Evander a glare. "Shut your mouth. Lemira is a Langston, too."

Hearing this, Evelina felt a murderous surge of jealousy.

That bitch Lemira had cut ties with the family. How could she still be considered a Langston?

Lemira snatched the invitation back from Susanna's hand. "Now that you've had a good look, give it back."

Susanna felt a pit in her stomach. She had already examined the invitation; it was real, and the name hadn't been altered.

Spotting Evelina, Susanna's tone dripped with contempt. "The Langston family is qualified to receive an invitation?"

Evelina smirked. "Of course. Asher was personally invited by Mrs. Waverly herself."

"Tsk, tsk. A family of new money."

Susanna stormed off. She was determined not to let that bitch Lemira off the hook at tonight's party.

Lemira held up her invitation. "See? I received an invitation, too."

Looking at the invitation, Asher guessed Stella had sent it. He hadn't realized their relationship was so close; his own connection with Stella had cooled significantly recently.

After a moment of silence, he said, "Since you're here tonight, no matter what, your last name is still Langston. If my relationship with the Waverlys improves, it will benefit you as well."

Lemira's eyes glinted with sarcasm. "Absolutely not!"

She had no intention of saving face for the Langstons. After all, things were bound to get ugly later.

Evander said angrily, "Asher, you promised you wouldn't let Lemira come to the party."

Evelina added tearfully, "Asher, I told you I wanted that dress, and you said you couldn't get it, but today Lemira is wearing it. I know I'm not your biological sister, but you didn't have to lie to me, Asher."

Asher's temples throbbed with anger. "Lie to you about what? If Lemira can wear that dress, it's because she earned it!"

He had to admit, Lemira was far more accomplished than Evelina now.

Especially after the last tech

conference, when Asher realized his company's Atechnology was far behind Maple Group's, he had

started to feel a pang of regret.

Lemira had always excelled in these areas; even the Langston Group's firewall system had been built by her.

If only he had managed to keep Lemira in the family from the start.

The Langston family wasn't what it used to be. Alaric hadn't even come with them today, and Asher knew the boy resented him.

Hearing Evelina, Evander turned on Lemira. "Lemira, have you no shame? Eve saw that dress first. What gives you the right to take it?"

"I think you're the shameless ones Is everything you lay your eyes on automatically yours? With an attitude like that, you might as well go ask for the keys to the city"

Hearing the Langstons, Oanice's anger flared.

They were unbelievably shameless.

Evelina pulled at Evander's sleeve. "Just let it go, Evander. I know my place." "No way. You're my girlfriend now, and my future wife. I have to stand up for you."

Evander stared defiantly at Lemira. "Take that dress off right now. You're not worthy of wearing it!"

"So you're saying I have to take off my own dress just because Evelina liked it and couldn't get it?"

"Yes. You've upset your sister-in-law, so of course you have to change. Don't you have any manners?" Evander's tone was utterly self-righteous.

Lemira looked up at Asher, her eyes filled with scorn. "And you think I actually want to come back to a family like this?"

Asher was speechless. Seeing Lemira's icy gaze and hearing Evander's words, a deep sense of unease settled in his stomach.

Perhaps he was realizing Evander's words were wrong and that he used to treat Lemira the exact same way.

Oanice didn't hold back. "Only

someone who's been hit in the head would want to go back to a family that devours people whole. A adopted sister gets jealous that ou Lemira is wearing a beautifubdress and throws a fit demanding she take

it off. Pathetic! So damn shameless!"

Evander's eyes widened in fury as he yelled at Oanice, "What did you just say? Say

it again!"