Suddenly, the world spun, and Mrs. Amanda collapsed to the pavement in a dead faint.

"Oh my god, are you okay?!"

Mrs. Amelia hovered over her unconscious friend, a subtle, chilling smirk playing on her lips. She wasn't about to lose this war.

The Everhart family was never going to get rid of her.

Inside the sleek interior of the car, Lemira turned her head, her eyes fixed on the harsh red imprint on Orion's cheek.

"Does it hurt?" she asked softly.

"No."

Despite his answer, she grabbed a chilled bottle of water from the center console and gently pressed it against his skin. "She definitely didn't hold back. That's the slap of a very angry mother."

Seeing her strain her arm to hold the bottle, Orion reached up and took it from her.

She met his gaze. "Mrs. Amelia clearly figured everything out. If both families find out what you did, you're going to take all the heat."

Just like what had happened on the sidewalk.

"You're overthinking it. Aside from my mother, no one in my family can stand the Sinclairs. Especially my grandmother. If she wasn't currently ill, the Sinclairs wouldn't even be allowed past our front gates."

Lemira looked at him in surprise. "Really?"

"I have no reason to lie to you."

Orion held her gaze, his focus shifting entirely to her face. "Why did you show up at my office?"

She quickly looked away, trying to play it cool. "I was just out shopping for clothes with the girls. We happened to be in the neighborhood, so I figured I'd shoot you a text."

He pulled out his phone, checking the screen. Sure enough, there was an unread message.

"I was too busy dealing with the Sinclair women to check my phone," he said.

"I know. I saw you walk out of the lobby."

Orion turned his head slightly. "I'll handle the Sinclair situation. If my mother ever brings them to confront you, call me immediately. You never have to face them, and you certainly don't need to negotiate with them."

Lemira nodded. "By the way, I ran into Sophia at the mall. She claimed Evelina is with them."

He considered this for a moment.

"My intelligence network says

otherwise. There's been absol net

no sign of Evelina

je here near

their territory."

"Stella and I figured as much. We guessed Sophia probably heard the news from

the Langstons and was just trying to bluff me."

She gave him a hopeful look. "I guess that counts as good news, right?"

As long as Evelina hadn't fallen into their trap, they still had a fighting chance.

Orion tugged at his tie, popping open

the top few buttons of his crisp

dress shirt. "I'll keep a tight

surveillance on them. We'll find

Evelina before they do."

"What if they get to her first?"

His voice dropped, dripping with absolute dominance. "Then I'll just take her back."

A small smile tugged at Lemira's

lips. Despite all the chaos

surrounding them, she was nool

longer drowning in the crippling, anxiety she felt at the start, Content,

Because worrying wouldn't change anything anyway.

Before long, they arrived at Bistrova.

The journey into the restaurant was completely seamless this time.

Stepping into their private dining room, Lemira was struck by a wave of déjà vu. She glanced out the window at the breathtaking view.

She had definitely been in this exact room before.

It was back before she knew Orion's true identity, on the very night she ran into Mrs.

Amanda and Sophia dining here.

They had collided right by the elevators.

The memory felt like a scene from a dramatic blockbuster.

Lemira pushed the window open for some fresh air, but her foot snagged on the frame. She pitched forward, tumbling directly toward the open drop.

Her heart vaulted into her throat.

Before gravity could claim her, a powerful arm wrapped around her waist, yanking her backward with incredible force.

Panting in sheer terror, Lemira clung to Orion for dear life. She had nearly just plunged to her death.

He held her flush against him, one hand instinctively cradling the back of her head. "You're too young to be this clumsy. Keep your eyes open."

Lemira was utterly speechless.