Evander was fuming-Lemira, that troublesome girl, really was born under a lucky star.

Lemira glanced over. "So you know you're broke, huh? You'd better work harder. Evelina is at the company, helping Asher manage major projects. If you turn out to be a nobody, people will just say you're living off your wife."

Evander's face changed instantly. The way he looked at Evelina was no longer full of delight.

Lately, he'd been feeling a little uneasy. Evelina always claimed she was working overtime, sometimes not even coming home.

Who could say if she was really working late?

Evelina shot Lemira a glare, then hurried Evander off to the side to calm him down.

She couldn't let this deadweight ruin her plans.

That left just Lemira and Lucian in the living room.

Lucian turned to her. "Lemmy, do you know why Asher is so fixated on the Al project? Is there something more going on?"

"How could I possibly know? It's just that the project has a lot of promise-everyone wants a piece of the action."

"Lemmy, Caspian and I want you to know that, if you're willing to come back to the Langston family, we'll support you in whatever you want to do. You can be your own boss; you won't have to answer to anyone—not even the Everhart family."

"You're wrong. I don't answer to anyone."

"Lemmy, I know we've let you down over the years. When Rowan heard about what's been happening at home, he even called Asher and told him not to play favorites. We're all on your side."

There was a hint of mockery in Lemira's eyes. "You mean to tell me Rowan actually called Asher to plead for me?"

"That's right. Rowan said he'd back you up too. He won't let you be mistreated by the Langstons again!"

A cold, sarcastic glint flashed in Lemira's eyes.

She could still remember the pain from the operation when she lost her kidney in her previous life. That memory was far from faded.

Lemira shot Lucian a look. "Asher said he found a lead about the people in the car that caused the accident back then, but he hasn't told me what it is. If you really want to make it up to me, you'd do better to ask Asher what that lead is.”

"Don't worry, I'll look into it. But about you and Orion, what exactly is "

Lucian wanted to ask more, but Lemira walked away without a word.

She'd only come back to watch the drama and gather information—she had no intention of pretending to be a happy family with the Langstons.

Lucian watched her leave and could only sigh helplessly.

He'd thought that after some time back, Lemira might warm up to the family, but clearly she still had her grievances.

Back in her room, Lemira thought over Evelina's words. The next day at school, she saw that Evelina was also back, arm in arm with Susanna, acting like the two of there were best friends.

Lemira glanced at them, feeling instinctively that something was off about their friendship.

It wasn't long before Debby told her that Sophia had met with Asher-apparently to discuss a partnership on the Al project.

Lemira found this odd. "Didn't Susanna brag to me the other day that the Sinclair family would be working with the Everharts? So why did Sophia go to Asher herself?"

"Maybe Mr. Everhart turned the

Sinclairs down. After all, Maple

Group is a new company he

co-founded with MrDraven it's not

a part of the Everhart family business, so he doesn't owe them any favors."

Lemira was actually a little pleased to hear that Orion had refused Sophia.

Susanna had been so smug about it, but Lemira hadn't bothered to ask Orion. Partnerships among wealthy families were complicated enough, and Mrs. Amelia was Orion's mother's close friend. With that kind of connection, Orion would've had a hard time saying no.

Lemira understood all this perfectly, so she stayed out of it.

But she hadn't expected Orion to actually turn them down.

Lemira lowered her voice. "Has the date for the second payment been set?”

She'd checked Evelina's account and saw nothing unusual. Asher was probably keeping a close eye on the first payment, so Evelina hadn't had a chance to make a

move.

But Asher couldn't watch forever.

"The second payment is scheduled for the end of this month."

Lemira clicked her tongue. Evelina and Evander's wedding was also at the end of the month.

Looks like there's going to be quite a show.