Hearing Susanna's words, Lemira immediately glanced over with a scrutinizing gaze.

She couldn't help but wonder silently-could this have something to do with Orion?

Outwardly, however, Lemira remained composed. After all, this sort of thing wasn't something she could easily discuss.

When Susanna finished her call, her voice was choked with tears—she was clearly rattled.

Watching Susanna so worried, a hint of irony flashed in Lemira's eyes. So, the Sinclair family does know what it's like to lose someone dear.

Yet years ago, it was the Sinclairs who orchestrated that tragic car accident, taking away her own parents.

"Lemira, what are you staring at? My mother will be fine. She's Mrs. Amanda's close friend, and the Everhart family will help find her."

Not wanting to appear weak in front of Lemira, Susanna bit out her words in defiance.

Lemira responded coolly, "Are you sure you want to keep wasting time here?" "Don't get ahead of yourself, Lemira. My mother will be fine!"

But Susanna was too worried about her mother to argue further. She hurried away, unable to linger.

Lemira watched Susanna's retreating figure, her eyes growing more contemplative.

Oanice whispered, "Serves them right, doesn't it? The Sinclairs are always so arrogant. It was only a matter of time before they got themselves into trouble." "Don't say things like that. If Susanna hears about it, she'll make trouble for you," Lemira cautioned.

She didn't want Oanice to get dragged into anything-Susanna already disliked her, and if she heard Oanice's comment, she'd surely come looking for a fight later.

Oanice nodded quickly. "I know, I'll be careful next time."

"I'm heading out," Lemira said simply.

Without another word, she walked off campus. As expected, she spotted Orion's car parked along the curb.

She hurried over, opened the door, and got in.

"This is for you."

Orion handed her a small, beautifully wrapped bag filled with delicate pastries.

Lemira glanced at it. "You actually made time to get these?"

Judging by the time he had left her a message, he must have been out since early morning.

"If you really care, you always find the time," Orion replied.

He'd passed by the shop, noticed they had just released a new item, and asked the driver to pick them up for her.

He remembered she liked these kinds of snacks.

She once said that sweets could always lift her mood.

Lemira took in the sugary scent from the bag, her spirits brightening. She sampled a bite, then looked down and admired the charming packaging

"Don't like it?" Orion tilted his head, his gaze settling on the pastry in her hand.

Lemira smiled. "How about you try one?"

As she was about to offer him a new pastry, he leaned over and simply finished off the one she had already bitten.

Lemira paused; her fingertips brushed fleetingly against his cool lips.

Orion tasted the pastry and frowned. "It's too sweet. Not really my thing."

"I think it's nice," Lemira replied, handing him a bottle of water-she knew he didn't have much of a sweet tooth.

This treat was especially sugary—he'd surely find it overpowering.

Orion gulped down several sips of water before tooking at her. "Is it really good? You looked like you to now."

were swallowing medicinoε?

"No—it's just that I thought the box was pretty," Lemira answered.

It wasn't that she disliked the pastry.

It was more that, despite his busy schedule, he still remembered to buy her these little treats to cheer her up

The gesture feft her cheer her up

inexplicably moved.

She asked, "Earlier, when you said we needed to act first, what did you mean?"

"You'll understand when we get there," Orion replied.

Lemira hesitated for a moment. "Susanna just got a call from her family-her mother's gone missing."

Orion's eyes narrowed thoughtfully. "So you've guessed it, too."

"Aren't you worried your mother will find out? I heard they've been close friends for years."

A wry smile appeared in Orion's eyes. "Maybe that's not such a good thing. Some friendships are more toxic than they seem."