Lemira was suspicious of Dorian's behavior; she was certain he had another agenda.

Dorian grew a bit agitated and defensive. "Lemira, I dated Evelina, all right? Even though we broke up, we're still friends. She hasn't come to school at all lately, and nobody can reach her. She's an orphan—who knows what's been happening to her at the Langston estate?"

Lemira looked at him with an icy expression. “So what?"

“So you have to let Evelina come back to school like normal. Your family doesn't have the right to keep her locked away at home."

"Who said we're keeping her locked up?"

Staring at Dorian, Lemira demanded, "Who told you that? And who put you up to this?"

After all, with the way Dorian clung to his mother, there was no way he'd pursue Evelina so persistently on his own. Not after everything that happened at the Waverlies' party, and with all those rumors about Evelina getting married—then supposedly ending up in bed with some older man during the wedding. By all logic, Dorian should want nothing to do with her now.

Dorian's expression grew awkward. "That's none of your concern. But if you're keeping Evelina captive, I'll call the police."

Lemira eyed him with an ambiguous smile. “Guess you haven't heard-Evelina's pregnant."

"Pregnant?" Dorian was visibly shocked.

Lemira continued, "She's expecting and staying at home to rest—it's not that she's being held captive. If you don't believe me, you're free to call the police.”

Without waiting for a response, Lemira left Dorian standing there.

She suspected Dorian's real reason for approaching her was to get Evelina released.

So, who wanted to see Evelina that desperately?

Of course the Sinclair family.

But was it possible the Sinclairs wanted to use Evelina as leverage to stop Hale from talking?

The thought made Lemira uneasy. She immediately called Lucian. "I need to talk to you."

"Lemmy? What's going on?" Lucian sounded surprised that Lemira was reaching

out.

Lemira lowered her voice. "We cannot let Evelina slip away. The Sinclair family is probably eager to use her as a hostage."

"I get it. But did Evelina's father say something?"

"Evelina's father already agreed to turn himself in. But just to be safe, keep a close eye on Evelina if she ends up in the Sinclairs hands, do you really think she'll support the Langstons?"

Lucian understood Evelina well-she was nothing if not ungrateful. "I understand. I'll have people watch her."

"Good. Make sure you explain this to

Evelina and let a valuablecked by der sote doesn't get tricked by

hostage

through our fingers."

“Don't worry. As long as I'm here, Evelina won't get out of the Langston family's hands," Lucian promised.

He then asked, "So when will you hand her over to the police?"

"When the time comes," Lemira replied, hanging up immediately. She had no intention of sharing more with the Langstons.

It seemed the Sinclairs would be making their move soon.

Lemira headed to class. News of Mrs. Amelia's kidnapping was

spreading rapidly online with pal

posting ever more detailed and sensational rumors.

Some even claimed that the kidnappers had taken compromising photos of Mrs. Amelia to blackmail the Sinclairs.

Given that Sophia was the preeminent socialite in Orvin, a crisis involving her mother naturally attracted widespread attention.

Lemira was surprised. Who could be spreading this story so wildly?

She messaged Stella, asking if she knew who was behind it.

Soon, Stella replied: "No idea. The Sinclairs are freaking out and keep begging my

aunt to do damage control and bring down the hype."

Lemira immediately thought of one person.

Could this all be Orion's handiwork?

Why did she feel a strange sense of satisfaction about it? Maybe because seeing

her enemies so miserable was, frankly, a little delightful.