Chapter 37

Lemira stood there, her face expressionless, watching them. They never asked for her opinion, brushing it off as some grand favor. She didn't care anymore.

Alanc, on the other hand, seemed guilty, unable to meet Lemira's eyes, waiting for Lucian to intervene. Lucian, acting as the head of the family, continued, "Lemmy, after this competition, you've proven your strength. Your place on the team is irreplaceable." With that, Lemira should have felt reassured.

Evelina's face darkened. She was incredibly resentful. Despite all her efforts, why was it so easy for Lemira to take her place? She might lack natural talent, but her efforts were no less than Lemira's.

Alaric looked at Lemira hopefully. Though he didn't speak, he wished for her to join the team. They had extended an olive branch; surely, Lemira wouldn't stay angry.

Lemira's gaze was icy. "I refuse."

Alaric was taken aback. "Why?"

"I joined the competition because someone disrespected our parents, not because I had any interest in joining the team."

"But you've obviously been practicing in secret. Isn't that to come back?" Lemira hadn't become this good overnight. She must have been secretly training—if not to join the team, then what for?

Alaric didn't believe her, staring straight at her.

Lemira, with a clear, cold gaze, replied, "No."

Alaric's heart sank. He couldn't help but say, "Lemira, do I need to apologize personally for you to forgive me?"

Lemira stopped. "It's not about forgiveness. The world doesn't revolve around the SkyBlaze team." She loved competing but wouldn't be confined to SkyBlaze. The message was clear.

"Lemmy, I know I'm the one you hate!" Evelina suddenly shouted, her voice breaking. Almost everyone turned to look at her.

Evelina walked toward Lemira, her tone submissive. "Alaric really hopes you'll join the team. If it's because of my presence that you're upset, I'll leave the team right away. I won't compete with you for the spot!"

Lemira was impatient. "You better shut up. My decision not to join is because I don't want to; it has nothing to do with anyone. Stop flattering yourself."

"I knew it," Evelina sobbed. "You're still angry because I overreached and took your spot. I thought I could grab the opportunity you didn't want, to prove myself and contribute to the Langston family, but I was too clumsy!" Her voice was soft and pitiful, tugging at people's heartstrings.

Lucian felt sorry for Evelina's display. "Eve, it's Alaric who went too far, making Lemmy upset. It's not your fault."

Alaric felt wronged and exasperated but remained indifferent to Evelina's victim act. He regretted letting her join the team; she wasn't cut out for it.

Seeing Alaric's indifference, Evelina took a drastic step. She pulled out an eyebrow trimmer and pointed it at her wrist. "Lemmy, if I were gone, I wouldn't compete with you anymore. You can rest assured!"

Lemira stepped back, shocked. Had Evelina lost her mind? Whether she joined the team or not, what was it to her? Wasn't Evelina the one who least wanted to see her join? And now she was resorting to self-harm to pressure her? Was she out of her mind?

Alaric was frightened. "Eve, calm down. It has nothing to do with you."

Evelina turned her tears into a smile. "Alaric, it's all my fault. Maybe I shouldn't have taken the chance Lemmy didn't want. Then I wouldn't have made her angry. Anyway, having grown up in the Langston family has been more than enough for me. I'm willing to die satisfied!"

Alaric's heart softened instantly, his previous grievances against Evelina fading away.