When They Beg I Rise (Lemira) novel Chapter 957

Lemira forced a polite, though visibly strained, smile. "To be perfectly accurate, he is my ex-boyfriend."

She and Orion were done.

Sebastian arched an eyebrow, examining her critically. He clearly didn't believe a word she said.

He drawled, his tone dripping with condescension, "A man with Orion Everhart's wealth and status... and you didn't do everything in your power to lock him down? Breaking up with him? Are you out of your mind?"

Lemira's instinct was to fire back an equally vicious insult.

But remembering Stella's warnings about his eccentric personality, she bit her tongue and chose patience.

"The foundation of any relationship is honesty," she replied coolly. "He continuously lied to me. I saw no reason to stay in a relationship built on deceit."

"Wait, are you telling me you dumped him?"

Lemira nodded.

Technically, the night she ended it in the apartment, Orion had refused to accept the breakup.

But a breakup didn't require mutual consent.

So, by all logical definitions, yes, she had dumped Orion Everhart.

A wicked, highly amused gleam flashed in Sebastian's eyes. "I never thought I'd see the day."

Noticing the lawyer's obvious delight, Lemira grew suspicious. Did this man have a history with Orion?

That would explain why Mr. Alfred's most talented apprentice hadn't stayed at the Everhart Group to inherit the legal empire, choosing instead to build his own firm.

For her, this might actually be a massive advantage.

Suddenly, Sebastian's entire demeanor flipped. The condescension vanished, replaced by sharp professionalism. "A pleasure to meet you, Ms. Langston. I am Sebastian Bennett. Please forgive my earlier hostility; I needed to confirm whether this was just a petty lovers' quarrel and you were using my firm to make him jealous. No hard feelings."

"Has that happened to you before?" Lemira asked, genuinely curious.

Sebastian's expression stiffened for a fraction of a second before he smoothly denied it. "No."

Sebastian smirked. As he signed his name on the dotted line, his expression carried a distinct, vengeful satisfaction.

Lemira finally understood why Stella had been so adamant about her coming here.

That gossip must have known about Sebastian's grudge and realized it made him the perfect weapon.

Without even glancing at the case files, Sebastian looked her dead in the eye. "Your lawsuit against the Sinclair family is straightforward. There's little suspense there. But I need you to understand that the biggest wild card in this courtroom will be the Everhart family."

Lemira's face was completely stoic. "I know."

"If I take the offensive, I will absolutely tear the Everhart family to shreds on the stand. I will show them no mercy. You need to be completely sure about this."

Lemira's jaw tightened. "My goal has never changed: Blood for blood."

Her gaze was unwavering.

Sebastian looked at her, his eyes flashing with a mix of respect and disbelief. "You gave up a billionaire boyfriend just to pursue this lawsuit. You know that's a massive financial loss, right? If you used this leverage against Orion Everhart instead of taking him to court, you could easily secure your place in the highest echelons of society. I'm sure your parents would have been comforted to know you were provided for."