Lemira saw Sophia standing outside the elevator, her pupils tightening involuntarily.

She hadn't expected the Sinclairs to arrive so quickly.

Lemira could tell that Sophia was deeply worried about her mother, but Lemira herself had lost both parents as a child—because of the Sinclair family.

Taking the initiative, Lemira spoke up. "Ms. Sinclair, I heard your mother is missing. Has there been any news?"

At these words, Sophia clenched her jaw in silence but didn't respond to Lemira.

She took a step toward Orion, anxiety clear on her face. “Mrs. Amanda has already sent people to help me. Will you come with me? Right now, you're the only person I can truly rely on."

Orion turned to Lemira. "Let me take you back to campus first."

Sophia stepped forward and grabbed Orion's hand. "Orie, my mother is missing-l don't know what's happening, and I'm scared. Can you stay with me, please?" Lemira saw the anxiety etched on Sophia's face and the tears welling in her eyes. She felt a pang of guilt she couldn't explain.

After all, Mrs. Amelia had been kidnapped by them, and she was still in their hands.

Lemira looked at Orion. "Maybe you should go with Ms. Sinclair to look for her mother?"

With Orion there, he could keep an eye on things, just to be safe and make sure nothing suspicious slipped out.

But Orion avoided Sophia's grasp, strode forward, and gently pulled Lemira out of the elevator.

Lemira glanced over at the man by her side, then couldn't help looking back at Sophia-only to meet eyes brimming with resentment and hatred.

Sophia called out loudly behind them, "Orie, are you really going to abandon me at a time like this?"

Sophia was on the verge of breaking down. She hadn't expected that even now, Orion was still siding with that wretched Lemira.

Lemira was just going back to school-her own mother was missing!

Was her mother's crisis really less important than Lemira?

When they reached the car, Lemira turned to Orion. "If you don't go, won't it look a bit suspicious?"

The Everhart and Sinclair families were still on good terms; even though the engagement hadn't continued, the relationship between the families remained solid.

Orion frowned at her, visibly frustrated. "Do you really want me to go with her that much?"

"That's not what I mean."

"Then what do you mean?"

Orion lowered his gaze, eyes settling on her face. "You overestimate my relationship with her. Don't push me toward her."

It was only because his mother and Sophia's mother were close friends that the two families interacted so often.

Lemira realized what was upsetting him and spoke in a low voice, “I'm not pushing you toward her."

His lips tightened into a cold line. "Then what did you mean by what you just said?"

Lemira tugged gently at his sleeve. "I'm just worried the Sinclairs might get suspicious. If you go with her, you can see what the family is

find out if the

planning, and maybe out Hale."

Sinclairs know anything about Hale"

"So you want me to play the charming hero?"

Lemira kept her voice low. "Your mother's already here helping with the search. If you stay away, it might look off and it'll make things harder for your mom. Mrs. Amelia is her close friend. Think of it as doing her a favor."

Orion glanced at her hand before speaking in a cool tone. “Fine. I'll go over there

first. I'll have my driver take you back to campus."

"No, it's fine. I can get back myself."

"No."

Orion's brows drew together, obviously unwilling to compromise.

In the end, Lemira had no choice but to nod in agreement.

Once inside the car, she watched Orion turn and walk toward Sophia, who immediately flashed a smile of radiant relief.

Seeing Sophia's face, Lemira

suddenly remembered Mrs. Amelia's

words that her parents' death¶n,

that car accident had been nothing

but their own bad luck.

How absurd.