Chapter 227  After Lemira finished speaking, Evelina couldn’t hold back her laughter, covering her mouth as she let it out.  “Lemira, don’t be so naive. Asher has always been tight with people from the Everhart Group. They’ve got a solid relationship. This meeting is just a formality.”  Ever since Evelina moved to Orvin and witnessed the bustling life of the big city, she realized how backward her hometown was.  There was no way she was going back to that place to redo a year of studies. She was determined to stay in the city, aiming to snag a wealthy heir.  As the elevator doors slid open, Evelina, hand–in–hand with Asher, stepped inside, casting a gloating glance at Lemíra who was left outside, “You might want to wait for the next one. After all, we’re not exactly playing in the same league, are we?”  Asher, his face set in a stern expression, didn’t even spare Lemira a glance.  hira had once deliberately tampered with the company’s firewall, causing Asher a significant loss and nearly turning him into an industry laughingstock.  Now that he had finally stabilized the situation, Asher swore he’d make Lemira regret her actions, dreaming of the day she’d come crawling back to the Langston family for mercy.  That day, he’d relish teaching Lemira a lesson she wouldn’t forget.  Outside the elevator, Lemira glanced at the company’s head, “No worries. Investing is all about fair competition. The Everhart Group’s business isn’t about personal connections. As long as our research product is top–notch, they’ll definitely invest in us.”  Even without the Everhart Group, there were plenty of other companies in Orvin to partner with.  77-  “Right,” the company head agreed. “Let’s head to the private room. We shouldn’t keep them waiting.”  Lemira and her colleagues made their way to the reserved room, and soon, a representative from the Everhart Group’s investment department arrived.  The man, a middle–aged figure exuding a business–savvy aura in his suit, took his seat and said, “Sorry, everyone, I can’t stay long. Mr. Everhart is arriving upstairs, and I need to go toast to him.”  Given the man’s status, it was a rare opportunity for most to meet him, and today’s visit was too good to pass up.  Eagerly, the company head introduced, pulling Lemira over, “Mr. Smith, this is our lead developer, quite the young prodigy.”  Mr. Smith glanced at Lemira, “Heard you’re a top scorer, still in college, right? To you, young lady!”  Lemira, holding her glass, remembered Orion’s stern expression as he lectured her.  She hesitated, “I don’t drink. My family’s strict about it.”  “Oh well, maybe some other time.”  The middle–aged man’s face fell, put the glass down, and excused himself.  The air turned somewhat awkward.  Lemira, caught off guard by the turn of events, tried to explain to the company head, “I really don’t drink.”  “I get it, you’re still young. But in business, sometimes you’ve got to play by different rules. It might be good to get used to it, so you’re not caught off–guard next time, don’t you think so?”  Lemira’s face was stiff. Feeling out of place, Lemira excused herself to the restroom.  She came outside, suddenly gazing up. She heard Mr. Everhart was upstairs, pondering the chance of talking to him. Could that be her opportunity to secure the investment?  Noticing a waiter guarding the elevator, she opted for the stairs quietly, only to be stopped by a black–suited security guard. “This area is off–limits. Please step back.”  “Let go. I–I’m supposed to be upstairs, meeting with Mr. Everhart.”  In the end, Lemira was cornered away. Looking up, she saw the elevator doors part, revealing a lineup of security guards, a testament t the grandeur awaiting upstairs.  15