When They Beg, I Rise!

Lemira, clutching her trophy like it was the hottest gossip in town, couldn't hide the smirk that danced on her lips. "Oh, Alaric, looks like you've stepped in it now, haven't you? Asher isn't wrong, you know."

Alaric, in utter disbelief, shot back, "Lemira, you've seen the video too. You know it wasn't me who filmed it!"

"But Evelina had us believing you two were thick as thieves, right, Evelina? That was your story, wasn't it?"

Lemira's gaze shifted to Evelina, who was trying her best to blend into the wallpaper. Playing the innocent one wasn't going to be easy this time.

Evelina, cornered, stammered, "I-I didn't say that."

"Oh, so you're saying you did it all by yourself? So, we should just sue you and call it a day, right?"

"That's not what I meant!"

Evelina's pitch climbed as she protested, the very idea of jail sending shivers down her spine.

But even more terrifying was the thought of causing a rift with Alaric, of being the one to blame.

Lemira clicked her tongue, "So, you don't want to go to jail, and you'd rather send Alaric instead. Is that it?"

"Lemira, do you really have to push people to their limits?" Evelina was on the verge of tears.

Lemira had played her cards with ruthless efficiency.

With a sly grin, Lemira reassured, "Oh, come on, Evelina, don't be scared. Remember, your dad did a solid for the Langston family. Asher always said we should treat you right as payback. So, how could we possibly let you go to jail, right?" Evelina was stunned. These words, often used to guilt-trip Lemira, were now being used against her.

Lemira turned to Alaric, her tone icy, "Right, Alaric?"

Alaric, who had preached the same in the past, suddenly found himself at a loss for words. The past was catching up to him in the most uncomfortable way.

Asher scoffed, "Lemira, so you remember, huh? You should drop the lawsuit. Evelina's father did a favor for you, not us!"

"That's not entirely true," Lemira

countered, her voice cold. "I

remember when Evelina's father died saving our parents from that car crash. He got me out first and then went back for them. The car

our parents, not just for died fornovelbin

exploded, killing all three. He died for me. You

owe Evelina too, Asher."

Asher frowned, "We don't need you to remind us. That's why I've decided Alaric should take the fall."

"Alaric, if I go to jail, my career is over. And it's all Evelina's fault!"

Lemira sighed, "Alaric, here's where I have to call you out. Evelina's dad did you a favor, how could you let her face fail time? Even if you didn't do it, you owe her. Can you really stand by and watch a young girl ruin her life over this? You're being selfish."

Her words were heavy with implication, "I thought we were supposed to be thicker than water. Is this how you repay family?"

Alaric was speechless, his own past words now haunting him.

Lemira, seeing Alaric lost for words,

couldn't help but feel a rush of satisfaction. She had waited so long for this moment-the tables had finally turned.

Asher, unable to bear it anymore, intervened, "Lemira, that's enough. We get it."

"No, it's not enough," Lemira retorted, her lips curling into a cold smirk. "And Asher, I haven't even started on you yet." Asher's eyes narrowed, wary of what was coming next.

"You're in this too, Asher. Knowing Evelina was at fault and doing nothing about it. As a brother, you've fallen short."