But now, here was Orion, obediently showing up to testify for Lemira. And judging by that look in his eyes, he was far from being over her.

Evelina practically ground her teeth to dust. Why did that bitch Lemira get so lucky? How did she keep such a wealthy, powerful man so obsessively hooked?

And what about herself? She had schemed and plotted, only to end up stuck with a useless piece of trash like Evander.

In what world was she inferior to Lemira?

Soon, Hale was brought out to the visitation room.

Lemira looked at Hale. "Do you see him? Orion came personally. He has agreed to testify in court. Now you don't have to worry, do you?"

Hale looked up at Orion. "I didn't think you'd go this far. Are you really abandoning your stepmother? She was involved in this too."

"That's none of your concern. The Everhart family has assigned her a lawyer."

Hale looked slightly taken aback, clearly calculating his next move.

Lemira stared him down. "Your condition has been met. What are you still hesitating for? Or do you not actually have any evidence?"

Hale cleared his throat. "Who said I don't? But how do I know the Everhart family won't back out? Once I hand over the evidence, will you people actually treat my daughter well?"

Lucian spoke up. "We can put all of that in a contract."

Hale nodded. "Fine. Draft the contract and bring it to me, then."

Lemira planted her hands firmly on the table. "Are you stalling for time?"

"I am not."

"Then why didn't you mention this contract condition earlier?"

Lemira locked eyes with Hale, scrutinizing every shift in his expression.

Hale coughed awkwardly. "I'm old. My memory isn't what it used to be."

At that moment, Sebastian stepped up beside Lemira. "Don't waste your breath on him. He's lying. Cancel the deal."

Lemira gave Sebastian a quick look and made a split-second decision. "Done."

She turned back to the Langstons. "Leave Evelina here. Let's go."

Evander opened his mouth to object, but Lucian grabbed his arm. "Let's go. Their whole family is a pack of ungrateful wolves. We're done dealing with them."

Lemira led the Langston brothers straight toward the exit.

Orion shifted his feet, and noticing Sebastian lingering behind, he narrowed his eyes menacingly before turning and walking out as well.

Panic instantly washed over Evelina. "Dad! Why didn't you just do what they asked?"

"Silly girl, they're just using you. The more obedient we are, the more leverage they have over us. Don't panic."

Evelina jumped to her feet. "How can I not panic? It's easy for you to say! The Langston family is abandoning me...don't have a single penny to my name How am supposed t survive?

"The baby you're carrying belongs to the Langston family, doesn't it? They won't just abandon you."

A wave of suffocating despair

crashed over Evelina. "You have no

idea how ruthless the Langstons can be! You don't care about me at all! Ene, hust dieght here in front of you!"

Evelina shoved open the nearby window, preparing to throw herself out.

Hale plunged into absolute terror. "What the hell are you doing? I was just trying to negotiate a better deal for us!"

Sebastian watched coldly. "You're lying. Whatever your reasons are, you only have two choices now."

Evelina's eyes were bloodshot. "Dad, if you truly care about me, hand over the evidence! Otherwise, living like this is worse than death. I might as well dieaight m front of you, and let the Black Family bloodline end here!"

Evelina sobbed pitifully, looking like a broken, fragile victim.

Hale stared at his desperate daughter. "Can't you just trust your father?"

"Why should I trust you? If you were trustworthy, I wouldn't have become an orphan and ended up like this in the first place! You owe me this!"

Evelina's gaze was dead serious. If she was truly abandoned today, she genuinely preferred to end it all.

Hale's resolve finally shattered, and he let out a heavy, defeated sigh. "Fine. I'll talk. I'll give you everything."