Lemira's lips curled into a chilly smirk. "You're mistaken. The one who fancies that bistro is Evelina, not me." Caspian's face twisted awkwardly. "Must've slipped my mind then, been swamped at work lately."

"If you can't keep it straight, then drop the 'big brother' act, will you? There are no cameras here."

Caspian's expression soured considerably.

Evelina quickly stepped in to smooth things over. "Caspian, Lemmy's just blunt, don't take it so personally."

Seizing the moment, Caspian made his exit from the team's headquarters.

Janice huffed in frustration. "Pretending to be someone they're not. I wish we could just expose him for who he truly is."

"But he's a celebrity. Without undeniable proof, nobody's going to take your word for it."

Especially since Caspian had always played up his 'good guy' persona, her word alone couldn't stand against his army of fans.

Lemira surveyed the group. "Let's start training then. I want to spar with each of you to see our progress."

They trained together until the dorm's curfew, only stopping then.

After a shower back at the dorm, Lemira found a package on her desk.

Recognizing the packaging, she opened it to find a box of pain relief patches.

She snapped a photo, sending it to Orion with a simple, [Got it, thanks.]

Orion, staring at her message, was unsure how to respond.

Her casual demeanor left him guessing.

Thaddeus glanced over. "If Lemon's messaging you, she's obviously not holding a grudge, knowing well it wasn't your car, and not directly your fault." "But she doesn't seem to be in the know."

Orion hesitated, then nodded. "You're right. I have to confront Matthew about trying to sell me out."

After blow-drying her hair, Lemira noticed Orion hadn't replied.

Instead, she found several messages from an underground market contact.

The contact was pressing. [They're really kee

bump on et

on having you, ready to offer. If you've got any

conditions, now's the ti

[It's not about the offer. I'm not interested,] Lemira texted back, unwilling to collaborate with Asher's company.

[Got beef with them?]

[Yes, I do.]

[Then use this chance to make them grovel. They need you; don't waste this opportunity.]

Lemira pondered, then an idea struck her. Asher had clues to her parents' accident. Perhaps, she could trade for that information.

Given Asher's slow progress in gathering bits of the story, it wouldn't be easy on her own.

Despite her reluctance to engage with the Langstons, uncovering the past was crucial for her. "You have a point. I'll see Mr. Langston at the Langston Group first thing tomorrow."

Some matters required a face-to-face discussion.

The next morning, after her classes, Lemira headed straight for the Langston Group.

Backpack slung over her shoulder, she approached the receptionist. "I'm here to see Mr. Langston." "Do you have an appointment?"

The receptionist did a double-take upon seeing Lemira. "You're Lemira?"

With a nod, Lemira confirmed. The receptionist then personally escorted her to the CEO's office.

Asher, looking up to find Lemira, was taken aback. "What brings you here?"

Straight to the point, Lemira said, "I want the information on the person who fled the scene that night."

"It seems you've made your choice, dropping the lawsuit. Should've done so from the start. Seems there's

some decency in you after all, your parents didn't raise you wrong."

Asher's mood improved significantly, adopting anoveldrama

condescending tone. "But if you net

want the clues, you'll have to ask

nicely."