When They Beg, I Rise!

Caspian frowned, frustration clear in his tone, "Lucian, don't try to stop me. Be careful, or you might get hurt."

"She's still young; she needs time to think things through. Lemmy, you better hurry up and leave. Drop me a text once you get to school." Lucian stepped in front of Caspian, blocking his way.

Without looking back, Lemira walked away.

Seeing how much thinner Lucian had become, Caspian couldn't bring himself to dismiss Lucian's concerns.

Fine, he thought, he'll give Lemira a day to make up her mind.

As Lemira left the hospital, her mind felt utterly blank.

Wandering the streets alone, she couldn't bring herself to think about anything.

The events of the past were a complete blur to her.

Orion followed her from a distance, too scared to approach.

It wasn't until Lemira had walked quite a way that he couldn't resist honking his horn, "Lemira."

Hearing her name, Lemira stopped and saw Orion.

The moment she saw him, tears streamed down her face.

She was overwhelmed with sadness.

Orion quickly got out of his car and approached her. Lemira immediately hugged him, "Just let me hold you for a moment, just a moment." Orion was stiff, caught off guard.

After a pause, he finally asked, "What's wrong?"

After Lemira let him go and wiped her tears, she said, "Take me home, please."

Once in the car, Orion glanced at her, uncertain but noticing her distressed state.

He chose not to ask, too afraid to press further.

Upon arriving at the apartment, Orion offered, "I'll walk you up."

"No need, you go back. I just want some time alone," Lemira responded, her hand trembling slightly, not wanting to argue.

Back in her apartment, Lemira lay on her bed, her thoughts in turmoil.

The next day, Lemira was woken up by a call.

It was Janice: "You didn't come home last night. Aren't you coming to the morning classes?"

"Nah, I don't feel like it. Can you mark me present?" Lemira replied, her mood somber.

After hanging up, she noticed a notification from an underground network.

Opening the

app, she saw a

message from the admin: [The client was very satisfied with your firewall system and has invited you for a face-to-face meeting. I've sent you the address of their company]

Lemira recognized the address immediately. Wasn't that the headquarters of Asher's corporation?

She had wondered about the coincidence before.

And now, it seemed, it really was a coincidence.

Lemira immediately replied: [Sorry, I've suddenly decided not to collaborate. I won't be providing the firewall system anymore.] She wasn't going to work with the Langstons.

[May I ask why?] came the reply.

But Lemira didn't respond.

She slept in until the afternoon before finally getting up and heading to school for the team's training session.

As the team captain, she had to oversee their recent progress.

Leaving her apartment, Lemira hailed a cab to school.

Not far away, Orion's car remained parked, surrounded by cigarette butts, a testament to his restless night.

His chin now sported stubble, and he watched Lemira's departing figure, ultimately lacking the courage to follow.

He never imagined he'd be afraid of anything in his life.

---

Upon arriving at school, Lemira headed straight for the team's base.

Unsurprisingly, she found Caspian shooting a film, surrounded by a crowd of fans.noveldrama

Not wanting to draw attention, Lemira instinctively ducked and tried to enter through a side door.

"Lemmy, you finally made it. Everyone's been waiting just for you," Evelina, with her keen eyes, spotted Lemira and called out loud. Her shout indeed made everyone turn their heads.

Caspian walked towards her with a gentle tone, "I knew you probably didn't sleep well last night, so I didn't call you over early. I'll treat the crew to dinner later; I won't hold it against you for being late."

Lemira took a step back, putting distance between them and Caspian. Nobody had informed her about the filming session this afternoon!

"It's not important. Have you decided? Your parents or strangers?" Caspian grasped her wrist tightly, his gaze threatening, "Don't disappoint me.”