When They Beg, I Rise!

"It's not me, Asher, I swear! It has nothing to do with me!"

"But it was you two who came together earlier. Yeah, it was Eve doing all the talking, but you knew all about it and you were in on it too. And now that it's all coming out, you're saying it's got nothing to do with you?" Hearing Asher's words made Alaric feel like he was about to lose it.

He really hadn't done anything; it was all Evelina's idea!

Alaric turned to Evelina: "You tell him. Tell Asher whether it was all you. I even tried to stop you!"

Evelina bit her lip, replying in a soft voice, "Yes, you're right, Asher. It's all me."

Asher pulled Evelina closer: "Alright, don't be scared of Alaric. I've got your back. You don't have to take all the blame by yourself."

Evelina nodded obediently: "If Lemira insists on pursuing this, then let her come after me. Don't let it affect Alaric's future."

"Evelina, what are you talking about?"

Alaric couldn't believe what he was hearing. This whole mess had nothing to do with him!

But in Asher's eyes, he was a co-conspirator too!

Lemira walked over with a smile: "So, have you figured out how to fix it? Everyone's waiting."

Asher, with a stern face, lowered his voice: "Lemira, I didn't expect you to play dirty."

"Isn't that what you taught me? I'm a quick learner, aren't I?"

Lemira's smile was unwavering: "Mr. Langston, better think about how you're gonna solve this. I'd love to learn from it too. Though, I doubt I'll ever need it!" "You!"

Asher was fuming.

Evelina hid behind Asher, too scared to speak, let alone face Lemira.

Asher, swallowing his anger: "What do you want, Lemira?"

"Well, you were the one who said we should let the lawyers sort it out to the fullest extent, right? I'm just following your lead. Let's let the lawyers handle it!" Lemira's tone was calm, her gaze steady.

Asher, through gritted teeth: "I'll give you $5 as compensation, and we'll call it even."

"Too bad. I think having you lose the bidding opportunity is a much better deal."

"Lemira, don't push it!"

Lemira covered her mouth, raising her voice deliberately: "Me, pushing it? I'm just following the rules. How's that going too far?"

"Lemira, Eve and Alaric didn't mean

it, they just got careless. You can't seriously be considering holding them responsible over such a small mistake?"

"You're saying they 'accidentally' sat in front of my computer, 'accidentally went through my designs page by page, 'accidentally took detailed pictures, and then 'accidentally' found you to hand over my ideas, which you 'accidentally' integrated into your PowerPoint presentation to 'accidentally' showcase?

That kind of careless?"

Lemira's voice was icy: "Or maybe you think they just 'accidentally' got caught, with irrefutable evidence, facing these consequences?" Asher was so angry, he could explode!

But he had no comeback.

"Lemira, why do you have to be so infuriating? I've been working abroad for years, and I had no idea you turned out like this."

Asher still remembered Lemira as a sweet and obedient little sister.

Lemira's tone was indifferent, with a hint of authority.

That's when Asher realized Lemira was no longer the timid and shy sister from before.

Asher softened his tone: "What do you want, just so you won't pursue this? Lemira, despite everything, we're still family. Can't we talk it out?"

Lemira's smile was laced with irony. Now they were family?

Her voice was hollow: "There's nothing to discuss!"

She knew Asher's tricks all too well.

Such incidents had happened countless times before!

Lemira turned to the director: "I demand that the Langston Group's bidding rights be revoked!" "Lemira, you wouldn't dare!"