When They Beg, I Rise!

Lemira caught Alaric's gaze, her eyebrows knitting together. At that moment, her phone buzzed with a call from Lucian. "Lemmy, you're at the venue, right?"

A bad feeling settled in the pit of Lemira's stomach. She wanted to deny it, but the squeals of fans around her spoke volumes.

"Lemmy, Caspian and I got caught up with some urgent business at the office, so we can't make it to the game. Today's match is a big deal for Alaric, and you should join the team in our stead. Whatever beef you've had with Alaric before, it's time to set differences aside, right? When push comes to shove, we've got to stick together."

Hearing Lucian's words drowned out the fan's cheers for Lemira.

Her silence was deafening. She abruptly ended the call, not wanting to say a word. She came to enjoy the farce, not to participate.

On stage, Alaric waited for Lemira to leave her seat and head backstage, growing impatient by the minute.

He said with a stern face, "What's Lemira playing at? Do I really need to go down there and ask her myself?"

Evelina said with a hint of amusement, "Alaric, let me message Lemmy for you. But seeing her just sitting there, she's probably still mad. Otherwise, knowing her, she would've been backstage with you by now."

the old Lemira, who would've instinctively known what he needed from her. He had grown

Lemira seemed like

stiffly. "If she agrees to play, I'll

to his racklessness. He was willing to overlook

herself a reply, "Okay, I'll call Lemmy right away. For your sake, I

Alaric's mood slightly improved.

aside to make the call, her gaze landing on

phone and noticing her on the stage,

call directly, her face expressionless as she

looked surprised but then smirked, relieved to

stealing her thunder. She wanted Lemira to witness firsthand how she and Alaric would clinch the victory. They didn't need

Evelina said, "Alaric, I guess I just don't have the gift of gab. Lemmy probably hates me now, that's why she didn't pick up. Maybe I should go talk to her in person?" Alaric's expression darkened, "No need. Lucian already told me he tried calling Lemira and got hung up on. It's clear she has no intention of joining the

Lemmy isn't the type to just come

and she won't have her way," with that, Alaric put on his headphones, tuning out everything