Lemira had never felt such blinding rage.

She glared at Sophia with deadly intent. "You can insult me all you want, but you do not get to speak to my best friend like that!"

Sophia stumbled back, clutching her stinging cheek. It took her several seconds to process what had just happened, the burning pain a harsh reminder of the humiliation.

This was an unforgivable insult.

Sophia had already been teetering on the edge. Beyond the sheer trauma of her mother's ordeal, the Sinclair family business was hemorrhaging money and losing critical partnerships left and right.

She had been desperately scheduling meetings, trying to salvage their failing enterprise.

And now, she was standing face-to-face with the exact person responsible for her family's downfall.

If this cheap homewrecker hadn't seduced Orion, Sophia would probably be engaged to him by now! As the future lady of the Everhart family, there wouldn't be a single financial crisis the Sinclairs couldn't effortlessly resolve with Orion's backing.

Sophia blamed every ounce of mockery and desperation she had suffered recently squarely on Lemira.

Her voice went shrill. "What are you idiots staring at?! Didn't you see her hit me? Grab her!"

Sophia's eyes were bloodshot with rage. She was going to make this arrogant bitch pay dearly today.

She pointed a trembling finger at Lemira. "Teach this arrogant slut a lesson she'll never forget!"

Seeing the men in suits lunging forward, Lemira forcefully pushed Stella back out of harm's way. "Stay back, don't get caught in the crossfire!"

Panicking for Lemira's safety, Stella scrambled for her phone to call Caleb, praying he would get upstairs in time.

But before she could even unlock her screen, she looked up and gasped. Lemira had flawlessly executed an over-the-shoulder throw, slamming the first man brutally into the marble floor.

Stella's eyes went wide. Since when did Lemira know how to fight like that?!

In a matter of seconds, Lemira moved with fluid, practiced precision, taking down

the rest of the suited men until they were groaning on the ground.

Lemira casually rolled her wrists, masking a slight ache in her joints. Without dropping her intimidating aura, she stalked aggressively toward Sophia.

Sophia went pale, her arrogant facade crumbling as she scrambled backward. "L- Lemira, what do you think you're doing?"

"What does it look like? I'm teaching an arrogant bitch a lesson."

Sophia's voice trembled violently. "Don't you dare! If you lay another finger on me, I'll call the cops and you'll go straight to jail!"

"Go ahead. Your men attacked me first. It'll just be written off as mutual combat."

"But you slapped me first!"

Lemira smirked dangerously. "So

what? The worst that happens have to give you a fake apology. But,

ore I apologize, I'm going to beat

you until you're unrecognizable."

An apology didn't mean anything if the damage was already done.

Before Sophia could react, Lemira raised her hand and delivered another ringing slap to her other cheek.

Grabbing a fistful of Sophia's

designer hair, Lemira leaned in

close "If you have a problem with me you come after me. But if flever hear you utter another word about Stella's condition, it won't just be a couple of slaps next time." .net

Sophia glared at her with pure,

unadulterated hatred. "You vicious

bitch! The Sinclair family is only in this mess because of you! Do

you

really think a cheap nobody, like you can just marryanto high society.

Keep dreaming!

"My relationship with Orion is none of your damn business."

"Don't get too comfortable, Lemira! Do you honestly think things will work out between you two? You don't even know what he's keeping from you!"

Lemira stared her down. "Whatever secrets he has, that's between him and me.

You're just jealous because Orion treats me like royalty and won't even spare you a second glance."

Sophia felt like she was losing her mind. "You naive idiot! You think Orion actually loves you?"