er 216  As Lucian found himself booted out of the live stream, his fingers, midway through a transaction, quivered before coming to a halt. A bitter smile crept across his face. It seemed Lemmy was genuinely heartbroken, not just throwing a fit as he’d thought.  If only he’d realized the problem sooner, perhaps things wouldn’t have escalated to this point.  “Mr. Lucian Langston, I have dire news. Ms. Sterling attempted to harm herself. Thankfully, Mr. Alaric Langston intervened in time. They’re on their way to the hospital.”  Lucian quickly set his phone aside, “Why would she do such a thing?”  The butler, clearly indignant, replied, “I heard though the school didn’t penalize Ms. Sterling, they’ve decided to nullify her exam scores. It was too much for her to bear, prompting her drastic action. Mr. Lucian Langston, you must speak to her later.”  Lucian massaged his temples, “Why does everyone have to be so troublesome? Lemmy never worried me with her grades, and she Ended up doing so well.”  With an upset face, the butler countered, “Ms. Sterling’s poor performance is on Ms. Langston. It was Ms. Langston’s fault Ms. Sterling fell ill and couldn’t perform better. And now, her scores being annulled due to a friend’s actions, it’s a hard pill to swallow.”  “Look, everyone might discuss Lemmy’s scores, but you, of all people, don’t have the right. Remember the defective stationery you provided her? It nearly jeopardized her exam.”  Head down, the butler fell silent instantly.  Recalling these events only deepened Lucian’s guilt towards Lemira.  Soon, Evelina was sent to the hospital, her face pale, “Lucian, it’s all my fault. With my scores annulled, I’ve brought shame upon the Langston family.”  Lucian frowned, “And you thought ending it all would solve this?”  Caught off guard, Evelina sobbed, her head bowed. She hadn’t expected her scored got nullified.  The thought of having no scores while Lemira was celebrated citywide and admitted to Orvin University was unbearable. After all, she’d been always outshining Lemira these years; this sudden downturn was a bitter pill.  Alaric consoled her, “Eve, we can take a gap year, it’s not the end of the world. Look at Lemira, she improved tremendously in the final months. A year’s repeat could do you good too.”  Mention of Lemira only soured Evelina’s mood. Her attempt wasn’t about ending her life but to gain the Langstons‘ sympathy.  “Enough tears. We’ll handle the repeat paperwork in a few days at school.”  Right now, Lucian wasn’t so pleased with Evelina crying and found her tears less and less sincere, suspecting she wasn’t innocent in the cheating scandal. The other student’s suicide, admitting guilt in a note, didn’t implicate her directly after they investigated it.  The butler, concerned, looked at Evelina, “Ms. Sterling, don’t consider such drastic steps. That student’s body found after she committed suicide was a grim sight. Do you know that?”  “Stop!” Evelina’s loud interjection halted the butler, while she bowed her head with guilt.  After being wrapped up the wound, she was sent to a ward. Evelina pulled out her phone and found a couple of unread messages. [I’ve dealt with that student. Anyone in your way, sweetheart, consider them gone.]  Evelina felt overwhelmed. [I only wanted you to silence Judy, not kill her.]  The police inquiry utterly terrified her, she never intended Judy’s death.  [Tough girl, that one. Only the dead keep secrets forever.]  Regret overwhelmed Evelina. She shouldn’t have involved this person, uncertain if he was even her father.  [Lemira, want her gone too? Without her, you’d be the undisputed heiress of the Langston family.]  For a fleeting moment, Evelina wavered. With Lemira gone, no one would compete against amily.]  For a fleeting moment, Evelina wavered. With Lemira gone, no one would compete against her.