When They Beg, I Rise!

Lucian threw a punch at Asher, his frustration evident. "What about Lemmy? She was hurt!"

Asher's face was impassive. "I'll make it up to Lemira for the harm she's endured, and Zack will be held accountable. But we can't involve the police or let this go public!"

"This isn't the right time for that discussion. We're all men here, not the best suited to handle this. Let's have Evelina come over," Caspian suggested just as the

bathroom door opened and Lemira walked out.

The room fell into silence, everyone stunned.noveldrama

Lucian hurried over to Lemira. "Lemmy, are you alright?"

Lemira shrugged, shaking her head lightly. "What's supposed to be wrong with me?"

Caspian's eyes widened in disbelief. "Then who the heck is on the bed?"

Asher felt a sinking feeling. He walked over, pulled back the blanket slightly, and was shocked to see Evelina's face. He stumbled back, startled. "It's Evelina."

Lucian was bewildered. "What on earth is happening?"

Asher turned to Lemira, his anger simmering. "Did you orchestrate this?"

Lemira's eyes were filled with sarcasm. She walked over to the bed and slapped Evelina awake with a few firm smacks.

Asher's expression darkened. "What are you doing?"

"Waking her up so she can explain everything to you herself."

Asher hesitated, wanting to intervene, but with the blanket slipping, he turned his gaze upwards to the ceiling. "Lemira, that's enough!"

"We're not done here."

Caspian and Lucian both turned away, exchanging a knowing glance, understanding beginning to dawn on them.

Evelina stirred, blinking groggily, then screamed upon seeing Lemira. "What are you doing?"

"Just waking you up so you can tell Asher what happened!"

Evelina finally realized her state of undress and the discomfort in her body. She glanced at Zack,

velve

disheveled on the floor, and horror washed over her.

She stammered, her lips quivering, "Why did you do this to me, Lemira?"

The realization struck her hard; she had been outmaneuvered.

Lemira's gaze was icy. "You reap what you sow. Maybe you shouldn't have tangled with Zack."

Evelina, enraged, lunged at Lemira, her hands aiming for her throat, only to be met with a swift slap that sent her reeling.

In her current state, Evelina was no match for Lemira.

Evelina broke down, sobbing uncontrollably. "Asher, Asher, Lemira set me up!"

Lemira smirked at her brothers. "Evelina's not exactly dressed for company, Asher, you'd better keep your cool."

Asher rubbed his temples, clearly frustrated. "Eve, put some clothes on first, then we'll talk."

With trembling hands, Evelina dressed and then threw herself into Asher's arms, crying. "Asher, you have to report this!"

Asher caught a whiff of something unpleasant and his expression flickered with distaste.

Lemira chuckled softly. "Can't report

it, though. Otherwise, everyone will

know the Langston family's

business, and we'd be the talk of the town."

Evelina wailed, "Is my suffering less important than the Langston family's reputation?"

Asher found himself at a loss for

irony not lost on him.

Those the very words he had

spoken earlier, now turned back on

him.

He hadn't expected Evelina to be the one in the bed. This was Lemira's room. Perplexed, Asher pressed Evelina for answers. "Why were you in Lemira's room?"