When They Beg, I Rise!

Asher rushed into the hallway just as Lemira was about to leave.

"Lemira, wait up!"

"If your words mean nothing, then there's no reason for me to stay," Lemira retorted, her tone icy.

Asher's expression hardened, and he forced out, "I must have misheard earlier. I thought it was you who started the fight."

If Lemira left now, what would happen with Caspian and Alaric? He couldn't afford to carry that burden.

Lemira's lips twisted into a cold smile. "Did you mishear, or did someone deliberately twist the truth?"

Asher's tone grew softer. "Does it really matter?"

"It does matter. You all love sweeping things under the rug, but I'm done with that. We need to clear this up."

Just as Lemira finished speaking, Caspian dragged Evelina into the room.

Caspian glared at Evelina. "So, what exactly did you tell Asher earlier? Repeat it."

Evelina sheepishly glanced at Asher. "Asher, I never said Lemmy hit me."

a twinge of discomfort. Evelina hadn't said it outright, but her tone certainly implied it

moment, then addressed Lemira, "I guess I misheard. Is that

should apologize to Lemira," Lucian interjected, stepping in. "You assumed Lemira was at fault, and that's on you. She's been wronged by our

reluctant. He was Asher, after all. Apologizing wasn't in

Asher's hesitation, Evelina quickly added, "It's really my fault. I misled Asher, which caused all this. I should be the one

blame, Asher felt somewhat relieved. He had

"two-faced" girl approached her with feigned sincerity and swiftly slapped her across the

Evelina was stunned.

"Since you're apologizing, it means you're

"For my

ambiguous. It easily leads to misunderstandings. It's not a good habit. I'm just helping you correct it. You should be thanking

her voice dripping with

I don't

to do this again."

of Lemira was even more

quickly turned to Asher for

cleared his throat. "Lemira has a point. She helped you up,

with frustration. Lemira's actions were anything but conciliatory, but