“With so much time left, I’ll give it my all.”
Orion’s gaze settled on her, eventually lowering as he spoke in a cool tone, “Don’t ask such simple questions in the future!” Lemira chuckled. Was that his way of saying she could keep asking?
For the following days, Lemira would hang around the infirmary after school, not leaving until she finished her homework. Evelina, on the other hand, began to lose focus in class due to her e-sports training, even falling asleep during lessons.
Of course, being a teacher’s pet, Evelina only had to mention she wasn’t feeling well, and the teacher let it slide.
Lemira saw Evelina bragging about the training camp on Facebook, posting photos and videos of her battling alongside the brothers in the game, all under a unified team tag. That name was the same as in her past life, although Lemira hadn’t been a part of it.
“Too busy with games to do your homework?” Orion approached, noticing the gaming video on her phone.
Lemira shook her head, “No, just browsing. Study’s my top priority right now.”
“With the midterm exam next week, if you make it into the top hundred, you can play the game.”
Lemira looked up, smiling, “Then, will you be my lead?” She knew Orion played the game, too.
Orion, with a half-lowered gaze, still looked effortlessly cool. He replied, “Haven’t played in a while. Let’s see how you do in the exam.” “It’s a promise then.”
Watching Orion’s retreating figure, Lemira was determined to rank in the top hundred. After all, Orion seemed pretty confident in his skills.
Back in her previous life, she had been quite the gamer herself. Maybe, just maybe, she could surprise Orion in the game and reclaim some of her pride. Suddenly, Lemira was looking forward to it.
After finishing her homework, she headed home, only to find Lucian sitting on the couch as she entered the living room.
Her heart skipped a beat. Why was he home early? Hadn’t her brothers been at the training camp, usually returning late?
Lucian looked up, his tone stern, “Where have you been? It’s late!”
Lemira’s heart raced, hoping he hadn’t discovered her after-school visits to the infirmary. She didn’t want to lose that last bit of solitude.
Looking down, she replied, “I was at the public library. It’s quiet there, helps me focus.”
“Let me see your backpack.”
Handing it over, Lemira watched as Lucian flipped through her notebooks, filled with notes and practice tests. After a thorough inspection, Lucian looked puzzled. The butler had reported that Lemira hadn’t been coming home on time, and they didn’t know where she was. Turned out, she had been studying after all. Lucian set the backpack down, “Lemon, we need to talk.”
“Lucian, what about?”
Seeing the quiet Lemira before him, Lucian felt she had changed a lot, yet couldn’t pinpoint exactly how.
Previously, Lemira would have been tearfully protesting or even tattling. But now, she remained silent. It seemed Lemira was slipping from their control.
Lucian began, “Eve’s been improving rapidly. If you joined the training, you could progress together. You have the talent. Taking some time for the training camp won’t set back your studies. Wouldn’t it be nice for us to be united as a family? Asher would be so pleased to see us all getting along.”
Lemira looked down, her gaze mocking. She firmly responded, “I don’t want to join the team.”
“Lemira, Evelina is part of our family, and so are you. We should move forward together, not alienate her like you’re doing. After all, her dad saved your life!”
Lucian couldn’t understand. He had given her so many opportunities, why couldn’t Lemira see that? Their kindness to Evelina was meant to repay her for her father’s deed.
The living room fell into an uncomfortable silence, the tense atmosphere almost suffocating Lemira.
Clutching her fists, she was at her breaking point. To hell with it!
Lemira retorted sarcastically, “Lucian, would you be satisfied if I just handed my life over to Evelina?”