Orion entered.

He reached out, pulling Lemira protectively into his arms. The look he shot at Asher was icy, sharp as a blade from the coldest polar regions.

Orion's voice was low and steely. "I warned you before-don't come near her again."

Asher's face registered shock at Orion's arrival, then shifted to something far more complicated. As a man, he could see clearly just how much Orion cared for Lemira.

Who would have imagined that the illustrious Everhart heir could fall for his own sister?

Unfortunately, his own sister couldn't stand him.

Asher wiped blood from the corner of his mouth. "Lemira is my real sister. Who do you think you are, anyway?"

His answer came in the form of a fist-fast and punishing.

Reeling from the blow, Asher bent over, clutching his nose, obviously struggling through the pain.

Lemira stood right beside Orion, seeing his swift and ruthless attack with her own eyes.

Orion took a step forward, fixing Asher with a glare. "Lemira is mine. If any of you lay a finger on her again, I swear your family will never be able to set foot in Orvin again!"

Asher let out a humorless laugh, blood trickling between his fingers as he looked up. "Impressive, aren't you, the mighty Everhart heir!" he sneered. "You've found yourself quite the powerful protector, Lemira. You win.

All my years of hard work, and it's nothing compared to a woman who can hook up with someone more powerful. If I were a woman, maybe I'd have found out the truth about that car accident years ago."

Lemira slapped him hard across the face.

Her tone was glacial. "That was for Mom and Dad."

Asher seethed. “Am I wrong? Without Orion, how could you have uncovered the truth so quickly? What could you possibly use to take on the Sinclair family?"

Orion bit back. “Lemira didn't rely entirely on me. She's far more capable than any of you ever imagined."

"Mr. Everhart," Asher scoffed, "don't give me that. If you hadn't backed

with our family right after her exams?

SD 2x would she have dared to break

"Asher, the truth is, it's you all who can't let go of Lemira-not the other way around." Orion's patience was wearing thin, Asher's words rankled deeply

The real facts were out in the open now-Evelina's father was the one who orchestrated the car crash

noneiof it had anything to do with

Lemira:

How could the Langston family still treat her this way?

Asher lowered his head, his whole face unreadable.

Seeing his agitation, Lemira spoke. "You want to see Evelina's father, don't you?"

Asher stilled. "Yes."

Lemira nodded. "Fine, I'll take you to him."

Orion didn't interfere, but he did have someone blindfold Asher, making sure he wouldn't know their destination.

During the drive, Asher sat in silence in the backseat, lips tightly pressed shut.

Lemira turned to glance at Orion, wanting to ask why he'd come-but with Asher present, she kept silent.

Over half an hour later, the car came to a stop.

Asher was led inside.

Lemira stepped forward, removing his blindfold. “He's down in the basement.”

Asher looked up at the basement door, then strode inside just as expected, there was a man tied to a chair.

The resemblance to the sketch Evelina had described was unmistakable; Asher recognized him instantly.

He immediately lunged forward, grabbing the man by the throat. "Do you remember me?"