Chapter 512
Lemira wasn’t about to budge, not even an inch. Caspian spoke up, “Evelina, Lemira just got back home. Maybe you should give her some leeway.” Lucian chimed in, “Any seat’s as good as another, Evelina. How about you take this one over here?”
Evelina was on the verge of tears. In the past, she’d always snagged Lemira’s spot, and her brothers had always backed her up. Never in her wildest dreams did she think she’d be the one asked to move one day. Asher stayed silent, leaving Evelina with no choice but to grudgingly take another seat, though she simmered with resentment. Lemira noticed Evelina’s unwilling expression. Good, she thought.
Before long, Zack, along with the staff, began serving dinner. As Lemira’s fork clattered to the floor, she glanced at Zack, “Could you bring me a fresh set, please?” Zack promptly obliged, returning shortly with new utensils. After taking a bite of her meal, Lemira spat it back onto her plate, “What’s going on in the kitchen? This food is atrocious. Is this your way of saying I’m not welcome back?”
Zack, taken aback, retorted, “Ms. Lemira, these dishes were prepared by the head chef. They can’t possibly be bad.”
“Well, they are to me.” Lemira’s eyes gleamed with mockery. “Seems like you’re not up to the task. Maybe it’s time for a change of management.”
Evelina quickly interjected, “But he’s been with our family for over a decade. We’re all used to him. We can’t just replace him on a whim.”
“But he went and changed the front door code without permission, altering things our parents left behind. I don’t think someone like him should stay on with us.” Lemira’s resolve was clear. “I don’t want to see him here.”
Asher was at a loss for words and turned to Lucian for support. Lucian spoke, “If Lemmy’s not happy, then a change it is. But since he’s been with us for so long, it’s best he returns to his hometown, Lyria. He’s no longer needed here. What do you think, Asher?”
Asher, who would have usually brushed off such a trivial matter, hesitated. With Lemira’s stubborn streak, any confrontation could easily escalate into full-blown discord. Weighing his options, Asher decided Zack’s departure was the more suitable course of action. He nodded, “That seems fair.”
“Asher, you can’t send Zack back home.” Evelina, seeing Asher agree, was suddenly frantic. Asher, losing patience, said, “Eve, don’t be difficult. Zack’s from Lyria; going back is the best option for him.”
“But to me, Zack’s like family. I don’t want him to leave.” Evelina clung to Asher’s arm, trying to coax him as she had so many times before. This time, Asher gently pushed her away. “We’ll do as Lucian suggested.”
After all, it was just a matter of letting go of a butler. It wasn’t the end of the world. Lucian turned to Evelina, “If you can’t bear to part with Zack, you can always head back to Lyria with him.”
Evelina fell silent. There was no way she’d go back to small-town life. Yet, without Zack around, any little schemes she might have had in mind would be impossible. The new staff were all trying to win over Lemira, paying Evelina no mind whatsoever.
Evelina sulked, barely touching her food. Meanwhile, Lemira enjoyed her meal, delighting in Evelina’s discomfort. After dinner, Asher approached Lemira, “Since you’ve made peace with the family, shouldn’t you drop the charges and clear things up with the public?”
“No rush, we’ll take it slow.” Lemira wasn’t naive enough to comply so easily. She knew Asher could turn his back on her at any moment. With that, Lemira left the dining room. Asher set down his utensils, “Hmph, Lemira’s temper is getting worse. Eve, you’d best steer clear of her for now.”
Evelina seethed, her chest tight with anger. As she watched Lemira leave, she vowed to herself that tonight she’d deal with this troublemaker once and for all. Otherwise, how could she ever hold her own in the Langston family?