Orion's expression hardened. "That is definitely the only way they can get their hands on that kind of money right now."

"If the cops can't do anything, are we really just going to let them get away with it? Are we just going to watch Mrs. Waverly bully a widow and an orphan?"

Lemira couldn't swallow this injustice.

"There is one way to get Stella her freedom quickly."

"What is it?"

"I can just pay Asher off."

Hearing this, Lemira stared at him blankly before reaching over to press the back of her hand against his forehead. "You don't have a fever. Did you start drinking early today?"

Otherwise, why would he be talking such absolute nonsense?

Orion caught her hand. "I'm completely serious. I could even negotiate for some shares in the Langston Group. That's not too much to ask, is it?"

But Lemira knew he was only doing this for her.

She looked up at him. "Are you always this generous with your money?"

"I'm only generous with you. I don't want to see you upset, and I don't want to watch you exhaust yourself fighting for your friends."

"Hmph, your money is my money. Why should we give it to Asher? That would only make me angrier. The Waverly family has zero shame, scheming against their own niece like this."

Lemira ranted furiously for a good minute before realizing Orion was just staring at her intently.

She touched her face. "Why are you looking at me like that?"

"What did you just say?"

"I said the Waverly family has zero shame, scheming against their own niece."

"The sentence before that."

Meeting his dark, intense gaze, Lemira suddenly realized what had slipped out. Her exact words had been: *Your money is my money.*

Lemira quickly averted her eyes. "I forgot."

Orion, however, was in an incredibly good mood. "Since it pains you so much to spend *our* money, we'll go with another plan. Ahem, but just for the record, I have plenty of it to spare."

Lemira obviously knew the Everhart heir wasn't hurting for cash.

But she absolutely refused to let him pay Asher off just to save her the trouble. She would choke before she gave Asher a dime.

Lemira quickly changed the subject. "Before I went to the Waverly estate, I actually ran into Felipa."

Lemira explained their conversation and the bait-and-switch plan they had drawn up.

Orion frowned slightly. "I'm surprised this stepmother even has guardianship rights over the trust."

"I was shocked too. George Waverly must have

set it

up that way to

ensure Stella wouldn't get bullied by the rest of the family. But to protect Stella Felipa has no choice but to play along. She can't fight them head-on."

Lemira looked at Orion. "Do you think our plan will work?"

"It's workable, but you need to be extremely careful not to tip them off. They aren't idiots. If you cave too easily they fimmediately geb Suspicious."

Lemira nodded. "You're right. Which means I'm going to need you to step in."

They had to make sure the Waverly family's guard was completely down.

And to sell the performance, they had to make it look incredibly convincing.

Lemira looked at Orion, whose hands were resting lightly on the steering wheel. "Go ahead. Floor it and ram the gates."

"You want to play for real?"

"It's the only way they'll believe you're genuinely furious and stepping in to protect me. If you just sit on the sidelines, they'll stay on high alert."

Seeing the teasing smirk forming on Orion's lips, Lemira's face flushed deep red. "Why are you looking at me like that?"

"Who was just yelling at me to stop?"

"Well, that was before we had a plan!"

Lemira stared down the Waverly gates. "Are you going to do it or not? Are you scared?"

"I'm scared of you getting hurt."

Orion turned to her, reaching out to

gently take her hand. "We'll find

another way to sell it. This is net

dangerous. I am never letting you get into another car crash!

Even a staged one was completely out of the question.

Lemira could only focus on the heat of his palm, burning against her skin, making

her feel as though she were melting.