When They Beg, I Rise!

Lemira fixed her gaze on Evelina. "Besides, I think Zack didn't commit suicide. He was murdered."

"That's impossible!" Evelina retorted immediately. "Zack was just feeling guilty and decided to end it himself. No one had a motive to kill him. We were all in our rooms last night; who would have done it?"

Asher looked at Lemira with disapproval. "If this blows up, it won't do either of your reputations any good."

"I couldn't care less," Lemira sneered, her eyes filled with malice and mockery. "I wasn't the one sleeping with Zack."

Evelina's anger flared. If the Langston family fortune hadn't been at stake, she might have gotten rid of Lemira last night.

Recalling her father's words, Evelina began to cry, "Asher, I can handle being wronged. But last night, Lemmy and I were in the same room. If word gets out, who would believe Lemmy wasn't involved?"

Caspian barked, "Evelina, shut up!"

Lemira pulled out her phone. "I've got video evidence. It's you who was with Zack."

Evelina gritted her teeth. "But people outside won't believe so-called evidence."

Asher rubbed his temples, feeling a headache coming on. "Lemira, what will it take for you to cooperate?"

"My demands are simple: give me what Mom and Dad left me and transfer your shares in the entertainment company to me."

That was the only way to strip Asher of his control over the company.

Asher clenched his jaw. "Lemira, you're taking advantage of a crisis."

"Oh, you caught me," Lemira laughed. "Those are my only terms. Agree, and I'll cooperate with the police."

"Lemira, you're dreaming. I won't agree."

Lemira laughed, turning to Evelina. "See? To our dear Asher, profit is the most important thing."

Asher was momentarily silent.

Evelina, suddenly panicked, grabbed a fruit knife and pointed it at herself. "Asher, if people find out about this how can ever show my face innoveldrama

Orvin again? My background ine

already mocked; I might as well be dead."

UAS

Asher quickly snatched the knife away. "Eve, calm down."

"Asher, let me die. That way, I won't drag the Langston family down, or you."

Evelina cried dramatically, though inside she was terrified. If the police investigated and found something, she and her father would be finished.

She had to do something, even if it meant pretending to be suicidal.

Finally, Asher relented. "Fine, Lemira. I agree to your terms. But for Mom

10

and Dad's assets, you'll have to wait until Alaric's issues are fully resolved."

"Alright, but you can transfer the company shares now, can't you?"

Asher's face was like stone. "I'll have my secretary draft the contract."

"No need for that," Caspian interjected, placing a transfer contract in front of Asher. "Just sign."

Asher's face turned ashen. He glared at Caspian. "Are you sure you want to sever ties with me? Without me, your company wouldn't have made it this far."

"Asher, I'll forge my own path from here."

Caspian wanted to take full control of the company.

With no other choice, Asher signed the document. "Fine. But from today, don't expect another dime from me for your company!"

Evelina whimpered, "Asher, I'm sorry. It's all my fault. If you weren't defending my

honor, you wouldn't have lost so much money."

"Eve, I'm supporting you because it's the right thing to do. You're a victim here, unlike some people who take advantage of the situation."

LatLe

Asher glared at Lemira. "Look at Eve, how gracious she is, thinking of the Langston family first and even choosing not to call the police!

wnövelhet

then look at you, constantly

pressuring your own favel

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