Chapter 288  “Yeah, the folks who got invitation to today’s party are all high–flying social media stars. Who’s she?”  Jackson had an aha moment, “Lemira’s invite link was a fake. She’s a whiz with computers. Faking an invite link? Piece of cake for herr The security was torn again, especially since Jackson, the captain of the tearn, had certain credibility.  But Lemira just glanced at Jackson and Clara, “Watching you two jump around in panic is honestly more entertaining than I care to admit!  “Lemira, deep down, you must be scared, right? How on earth did you get an invitation? You’re no social media influencer!”  Lemira let out a half–smile, “And why can’t I be a social media influencer?”  Jackson burst into sneers, “If you’re a social media star, I’ll eat my hat!”  dearing this, Lemira just laughed, “Remember, you said it.”  That was when Michel walked up, “Ms. Langston, everyone’s been waiting for you. What’s holding you up at the entrance?”  Calmly, Lemira replied, “Someone’s questioning my authenticity, claiming my invitation’s a fake.”  Michel turned to Jackson, his tone harsh, “Are you nuts or what? Who’d bother faking these invitations? Social media stars all know each other!”  “Michel, I was just concerned about the integrity of our event. Lemira isn’t one of us, let alone a social media star. We can’t let her sneak  Jackson knew Michel and tried to suck up, dreaming of joining the Reapers but never getting the chance.  Michel cursed out loud, “Who said she’s not a social media star?”  Jackson was petrified upon hearing Michel’s words, “How’s that possible?”  But if Michel said so, could Lemira really be a newly famous social media star? That didn’t add up!  Wasn’t Lemira from a struggling background?  Michel didn’t mince his words, “Jackson, with brains like yours, trying to make it in this industry, you wouldn’t know what’s hot if it hit you in the face!”  Jackson was verbally smacked down, not daring to retort, fearing he’d make a bad impression on Michel.  Yet Clara defended Jackson, “What kind of social media star is Lemira supposed to be?”  “Shut it. Michel has confirmed Lemira’s identity. You have no right to talk here.”  Jackson snapped at Clara. Didn’t she realize Michel wasn’t someone to mess with?  Clara, unaccustomed to such treatment, teared up, “I was just speaking up for you!”  Michel looked at Lemira, “Let’s go. Some people just are blind about what’s right in front of them.”  Lemira turned to Jackson, “But didn’t someone say they’d eat their hat if my invite was real? Time to chow down!”  Jackson’s face turned even sourer than if he’d actually had to eat it. He probably never expected Lemira to press it further.  Clara tried to intervene, “Lemira, don’t you think you’re being a bit harsh? He was just speaking randomly.”  “Harsh? When you two were imperious and aggressive, ready to ask the security to throw me out, was that not harsh? Oh, I see how you  act with double standard. It’s fine for you to treat others that way, but not the other way around!”  Lemira’s sharp retort left Jackson speechless. With everyone watching, Jackson felt his dignity hurt.  Clara, though begrudgingly, said, “But making him eat his hat, isn’t that a bit much?”  “How about this then? You eat it for him. Same difference!”