Chapter 14
“Listen up, I’ll only say this once,” Orion said, scribbling on scrap paper while solving problems.
Lemira froze, her gaze fixed on him, emotions swirling. Evelina’s actions had isolated her; even teachers kept their distance. No one had ever patiently explained things to her before.
Orion’s gaze was distant. “With your attention span, I won’t be surprised if you daydream through class!”
Lemira snapped back to reality. “Sorry, I’ll pay attention,” she murmured.
Orion’s Adam’s apple bobbed at her subdued response as he continued his explanation. As evening approached, the warm lamplight enveloped them. Lemira sat while he stood beside her, one hand bracing the table as he guided her through the solution.
“Can’t you see the pattern? It’s the same as the last one. This question’s trick is obvious! Are your eyes just for decoration? Have you ever had your IQ tested? Are you sure it’s up to par? Try again!”
His tone was flat, but his words were sharp and cutting. Luckily, Lemira knew his reputation for a sharp tongue; otherwise, she might have crumbled. She persevered.
She packed up her completed homework. “Thanks, Dr. Everhart, you’re amazing for remembering all this.”
Orion twirled his pen, eyeing her curiously. “Don’t your parents have a tutor for you?”
Lemira pouted slightly. “I don’t want to owe them anything.” Tutoring fees were exorbitant, and she didn’t want to ask the Langstons for money.
Orion watched her delicate profile, her emotions hidden behind her drooping eyelids. Lemira looked up cautiously. “Dr. Everhart, can I come to you with questions in the future?”
He turned, his voice awkward. “I’m busy.”
Despite the rejection, Lemira remained unfazed. She neatly packed her bag.
Orion tapped the desk. “Depends on my mood,” he added.
Lemira smiled. “Thank you, Dr. Everhart, you are my mentor!” Without waiting for a reply, she grabbed her backpack and ran off.
Squinting, Orion smiled lazily. Teaching her was a way to pass the time, he thought.
Lemira arrived home, night having fallen. The butler approached. “The young master and Ms. Sterling went out for dinner; they won’t be joining you tonight.”
“Alright.”
Lemira dined alone, enjoying the rare peace. Checking her phone, she saw Evelina’s Facebook post: “Out for a big meal with my brothers.” The picture showed Evelina with her brothers, their smiles brimming with affection for her. Lemira glanced at it before quickly closing Facebook, focusing on her dinner.
The next morning, Lemira found only Evelina at the breakfast table. Evelina boasted quietly, “I made a lot of progress at team training yesterday.”
Lemira ate expressionlessly, ignoring Evelina’s bragging. Evelina, seemingly unfazed by Lemira’s cold demeanor, remained in high spirits. Despite her calm exterior, Lemira seethed inside. She quickly finished her breakfast and headed out, only to find the chauffeur motionless. “Ms. Sterling hasn’t come out yet. We will wait for her.”
After waiting over ten minutes with no sign of Evelina, Lemira grew restless. “If she doesn’t come soon, we’ll be late!” She found it increasingly difficult to tolerate the Langstons.
Deciding not to wait, Lemira opened the car door, only to have Caspian emerge. “What harm is there in waiting a bit longer for Eve? Her dad once saved your life, and he didn’t abandon you. And now you can’t even wait a few more minutes for Eve?”
Lemira’s grip tightened on the door handle.