When They Beg, I Rise!

Lemira couldn't help but scoff when she spotted Evelina eyeing Matthew as if he was the golden ticket to a better life. So she wants to climb the social ladder now? Lemira deliberately kept her distance. "We're not exactly close, you know."

Evelina's face faltered, painting a picture of sorrow. "Lemmy, we've grown up together, even though I was only adopted. Even if you hate me, I've always seen you as my own sister." Lemira's lips twitched in annoyance. Here we go again with the drama.

Evelina, having played her victim card, then turned to Matthew. "Mr. Everhart, I'm sorry you had to see this. Lemmy always thinks I'm after her brother, but that's not true."

Matthew raised an eyebrow. "If Lemira doesn't like you, maybe you should take the hint and keep your distance."

He had made up his mind; if his sister-in-law didn't like this woman, neither did he.

Evelina's face stiffened, surprised by Matthew's blunt dismissal.

Damn it, why wasn't her usual tactic working on him?noveldrama

Lemira watched Evelina, barely hiding her amusement. "Did you really think you could fool everyone like you did the Langstons?"

Evelina struggled to maintain her façade in front of Matthew. "Lemmy, Lucian is in ICU, and Alaric's been detained. His team is on the brink of disbandment, facing a massive penalty for breaching their sponsorship contract. Don't you care about your family at all?" She aimed to tarnish Lemira's image in front of Matthew, refusing to let Lemira outshine her.

Lemira snorted. "I've cut ties with the Langstons a long time ago."

"Lemmy, when will you stop being so stubborn? Lucian harmed himself because of you. Don't you feel bad for him?" Evelina continued her act, hoping to gain the sympathy of the men around them.

Soon, a bulky man in team colors approached Evelina. "Goddess Eve, you're just too kind. You've done enough for the Langstons as their foster child."

Evelina barely concealed her disdain for the unattractive man, but since he was defending her, she'd use it to her advantage.

She wiped her tears, looking pitifully

at Lemira "I know you hate me, but Lucian really cares about you. He's even willing to give you the company as compensation. Please, visit him in the hospital for me."

The man immediately sympathized with Evelina.

He lashed out at Lemira. "You're heartless, not even visiting your own brother in the hospital. Eve has been the one running around taking care of everything."

"I do it because I should, but I really

hope Lemira would visit him," Evelina said, turning her tearful eyes

to Matthew. "Mr. Everhart, since you're friends with Lemmy, could

You

please talk to her?"

Evelina hoped Matthew would see Lemira as the ungrateful one, while she played the role of the compassionate sister.

However, Matthew, aware of Lemira's estrangement from her family and the favoritism shown to Evelina, sided with Lemira.

"I do have something to say," Matthew began, to Evelina's temporary delight.

"I think Lemira should stay as far away from the Langstons as possible."

Evelina was stunned, her scheme unraveling. Matthew's disdain was clear. "Who said I was doing this you? At the championship backstage, I heard everything. How you guilt-tripped Lemira. Stop playing the saint."

Evelina tried to intervene as Matthew confronted the man defending her. "Mr. Everhart, please, there's no need for violence on my account."

"Who's fighting for you? Are you delusional? You and your moral high ground can take a hike," Matthew retorted, his patience worn thin by the charade.