When They Beg, I Rise!

Lemira executed a perfect over-the-shoulder throw, sending Asher crashing to the ground.

The move was so swift and fluid, it took everyone a moment to even realize what had happened!

It wasn't until Asher was lying there, his face contorted in pain, that the reality of the situation sunk in.

Evelina was the first to snap out of it, rushing over to Asher's side. "Asher, are you okay?"

Asher managed a weak wave of his hand as he coughed, though it was clear he was anything but okay. Evelina turned to Lemira, frustration in her voice. "Lemira, how could you hit someone like that?"novelbin

Lemira brushed off her hands nonchalantly. "Wasn't he the one who started it?"

She had been secretly taking boxing classes just for this moment!

Evelina was at a loss for words. "But it's Asher. You could have seriously hurt him."

The head of Maple Group couldn't help but interject. "If Lemira hadn't defended herself, what was she supposed to do? Just stand there and take it?"

An outspoken colleague couldn't keep silent any longer. "Look, girl, your bias is showing. The one who throws the first punch is in the wrong! If this were taken to the police, Lemira would be in the clear for self-defense! Now I see why she chose to work here instead of living off her family's fortune. To anyone not in the know, you'd think Lemira was your servant!"

Evelina was left speechless, retreating to try and curry favor with Asher, the only person she felt she could rely on.

Lemira looked down at Asher, still sitting on the ground. "I'm not that helpless kid anymore."

Nor was she the girl to be manipulated by financial control or familial guilt!

Asher, feeling utterly humiliated, warned Lemira, "You'll regret it!"

"I already do," Lemira shot back, "regretting not realizing this sooner!"

As Lemira made to leave, Alaric stepped in front of her. "I meant to stop Evelina. I got caught up in her words too!"

"Caught up? Seems like you were thinking the same thing!"

She accused him of wanting to clip her wings and keep her under control.

What kind of brother was that?

Alaric looked away guiltily, trying to explain himself. "I didn't mean to."

"But you did it anyway, didn't you? Get out of my way!"

Lemira stormed off without looking back.

Alaric watched her leave, suddenly feeling unsteady on his feet.

He turned his glare towards Evelina, his eyes filled with a frightening intensity.

Evelina, feeling the weight of his stare, shrank back, suggesting timidly to Asher, "Let's get you to the

content belongs to

Asher was livid, humiliated by his defeat in front of Lemira.

He ordered his secretary in a fit of rage, "Find a way to blacklist Maple Group. A small company from tyria doesn't deserve to set foot in Orvin!"

"Asher, isn't this a bit much?"

"This is my decision!" Asher coughed, struggling to breathe, likely with a fractured rib.

He hadn't expected Lemira to have become so formidable.

Evelina, avoiding Alaric's gaze, followed Asher out.

Alaric was left alone, fighting back tears he couldn't shed.

He'd wanted to mend fences with Lemira, but everything had gone wrong.

He remembered Lucian's warning not to trust Evelina, realizing too late that he had been deceived.

It was his fault Lucian's project was now disqualified, losing a fortune in the process.

Lemira joined her colleagues at Maple Group.

The manager tried to comfort her. "You're better off without such a family. You can do great on

own."

An embarrassed colleague apologized. "Sorry for what I said earlier. I didn't know you had it so tough." Lemira was used to it by now. The ones who should be worried were them, not her.

Thinking back to the Langstons' expressions lightened her mood.

"Looks like you made quite the impression today," Thaddeus greeted her with a smile at the office door. Lemira's gaze shifted past Thaddeus, locking on the man seated on the sofa.