Evander took a few hesitant steps. Aside from the raw chafing left by the Langston prosthetic, the movement felt incredibly smooth and completely painless.

Just as he looked up to say something, Lemira had already turned her back on him to address the media. "Everyone, please look here. Our Maple Group Gen-2 technology has undergone massive biomechanical adjustments compared to the Langston equivalent. We originally planned a live demonstration later, but this presented the perfect opportunity."

The reporters instantly abandoned Asher and swarmed Lemira as she flawlessly pitched her tech.

Standing on the sidelines, Asher was practically vibrating with rage. What the hell was that idiot Evander doing?

Evelina was sick with jealousy watching the reporters fawn over Lemira. "Asher, look! She is completely exploiting Evander for her own gain!"

Asher aggressively moved to drag his brother off the stage, but Lucian stepped squarely in his path.

Lucian's expression was dead. "Weren't you the one exploiting her first? You just stood in front of those cameras and proudly declared we were all one big family. If you drag Evander away now, you'll be violently slapping your own face in front of the press."

Asher froze, his boots glued to the floor.

Lucian kept his voice in a low, furious hiss. "Are you angry, Asher? Do you feel like she played you? You are the one who tried to orchestrate this hit on her!"

Asher scoffed darkly. "Do you have any idea how dire the Langston Group's financial situation is right now?"

"And is this the result you wanted?"

Asher went dead silent. Of course it wasn't. He had never expected Lemira to become this ruthlessly brilliant.

Lucian let out a hollow breath. "I told you long ago, Asher. She is no longer the little sister who has to beg us to survive."

"So what? Am I supposed to get on my knees and beg her?"

"What is so shameful about asking your own sister for help instead of scheming against her?"

Asher remained silent, unable to form a rebuttal.

Evelina, however, sneered from the side. "You can defend her all you want, Lucian, but she is never going to help the Langston family."

"Shut your mouth! The only reason our family is destroyed is because of you!"

Lucian was looking at Evelina with pure, unfiltered hatred.

Evelina let out a harsh scoff. "It's because you are all useless! You treated me well because it fed your massive egos, and you oppressed her for the exact same reason! Don't you dare blame me for your own pathetic failures!

Lucian's face twisted into a mask of pure rage. If he didn't need her to surrender her father, he would have thrown this toxic bitch onto the street right then and there.

Evelina didn't care about their murderous glares anymore. The illusion was shattered. She was exhausted from pretending to be the sweet, innocent victim.

On stage, Lemira wrapped up her presentation. "This is our current Gen-2 technology, but we have already identified areas for Al optimization and are heavily developing the next generation."

As she moved to showcase the specific tech specs, the Langston family was left completely ignored in the corner like discarded trash.

Watching them, Orion's eyes were as cold as ice.

Thaddeus Draven leaned against the wall. "Should we have security toss them out?"

"No. Let them stay and serve as the ultimate contrast. It saves us millions of dollars in marketing."

"You're right about that. The

Langston Group burned a fortune on

advertising, and Evander just

became a walking billboard for us by

putting on our tech. Little Lemon is a total genius."

Thaddeus laughed so hard his stomach hurt. None of them had anticipated Lemira's brilliant counterattack.

Orion's lips curved into a dangerously proud smirk. "Of course she is. There is no one in this world better than her."

"Ugh, God. I can't take it. You are way too cheesy."

Thaddeus shuddered in disgust and walked away to join Lemira.

Orion stood perfectly still, watching Lemira's radiant, impossibly confident smile. He

loved seeing her dominate like this.

Suddenly, Lucian walked up beside him.

"Mr. Everhart. Can we talk? About Lemmy."

Orion's gaze instantly turned somber, his predatory aura flaring. "What do you want?"

"Are you going to marry her?"