"Drop the act. Where is Stella?"

"How would I know where Stella is?"

Mrs. Waverly was determined to deny everything. She had sunk a fortune into Asher's project. If she didn't get a return on her investment, how was she supposed to justify the loss to the rest of the family?

Lemira furiously shattered the cup Mrs. Waverly was holding. "Don't think I don't know about the shady deals between you and Asher. What you're doing is illegal."

"Oh, so Ms. Langston knows it's illegal. Yet Mrs. Amelia has been locked up by you people for so long."

Hearing that, Lemira's expression immediately shifted to high alert.

"What, are you surprised I know about that?"

Lemira straightened her posture. It wasn't actually that surprising. Everyone in the Sinclair family knew.

It wouldn't be hard for Mrs. Waverly to dig up that information.

Mrs. Waverly continued, "Ms. Langston, this is our family business. I suggest you stay out of it. See her out!"

"Are you threatening me?"

"Take it however you like. You might be young, and you might think you can do whatever you want just because you have someone powerful backing you. But if you don't want to drag Orion Everhart into unnecessary trouble, I strongly advise you to keep your mouth shut!"

Mrs. Waverly's threat was crystal clear.

Lemira was practically vibrating with rage. She gritted her teeth. "I won't let this go." Lemira turned and stormed out.

Mrs. Waverly shot a contemptuous glare at her retreating back. "Such pathetic behavior. I have no idea what Orion sees in her."

Asher stepped out from the hallway shadows. "My sister has always been fiercely capable."

Lemira's brilliance was something he could no longer deny, no matter how hard he tried.

Thinking about it filled Asher with crushing regret.

If he hadn't treated Lemira so horribly because of Evelina, they wouldn't have become sworn enemies.

If they still had a good relationship, Orion would have definitely bailed the Langston Group out just for Lemira's sake.

Then he wouldn't have been forced to stoop so low as to beg Mrs. Waverly for a partnership, only to be looked down upon.

Mrs. Waverly scoffed coldly. "Too bad your relationship is ruined. Orion has personally warned off every major investor and bank in the city. There's no way you can secure that kind of funding."

Asher's face darkened. He knew that already, which was exactly why he was taking this desperate risk.

He was completely out of options.

He refused to watch the company he had spent years building crumble into bankruptcy.

Especially since his failure would be glaringly contrasted against Lemira's massive

success, making him look utterly incompetent.

Asher would never allow that to happen.

Mrs. Waverly knew Asher was

backed into a corner, which was why she was using him to do the dirty work She would reap the massive benefits while he took all the risks as her errand boy.

Asher ran a hand through his hair, agitated. "Stella still hasn't caved. Do you really think Felipa is going to sign that agreement?"

"She'll sign. I've offered her plenty of incentives. If she doesn't know what's good for her, she'll have to face the consequences."

Mrs. Waverly didn't think much of the young stepmother. She was just a mistress

who had clawed her way up. Nothing to worry about.

Lemira stormed out of the Waverly estate, still seething with rage.

*Honk. Honk.*

A car horn blared behind her.

Lemira turned around in annoyance, only to see Orion's car. What was he doing here?

Orion rolled down the window. "Get in."

"I'm walking to clear my head."

Lemira was purely running on adrenaline and anger.

Seeing how furious she was, Orion raised an eyebrow. "Get in. Let's go get some payback."

Lemira actually laughed at that. She

turned and walked up to his car, resting her hands on the window frame How exactly do you plarron getting payback? Are you going to go beat up Mrs. Waverly?"

Orion looked at the girl standing by his window and leaned closer. "Want to find out?"

They were incredibly close. If Lemira moved even an inch forward, their lips would meet.