When They Beg, I Rise!

When Mr. Alfred made his announcement, the room went as silent as a graveyard at midnight.

Evelina was struck dumb, like a hen that had just had its neck wrung, her face turning a shade of red that would make a lobster envious. What?

The renowned lawyer, Mr. Alfred, was actually representing Lemira?

Had she misheard?

Evelina, with a face swollen like she'd gone a few rounds with a professional boxer, turned to Dorian, her eyes full of disbelief: "Didn't you say no one would dare take on the Maple Group's case?" And not just anyone had taken it, but a lawyer as famed as Mr. Alfred!

Dorian was even more stunned: "Mr. Alfred, did I hear that right? Haven't you stopped taking on minor cases a long time ago?"

Mr. Alfred's calm response was an acknowledgement: "I'm representing someone."

This was a confirmation that he was indeed Lemira's attorney.

Evelina couldn't accept it: "Impossible. Lemira doesn't know anyone influential in Orvin, how could she possibly afford Mr. Alfred?"

She turned to Asher: "Asher, say something."

Asher, nursing a bruised arm, glared coldly at Lemira: "Yes, Mr. Alfred is her attorney."

It was hard to deny that Lemira had luck on her side.

Evelina was forced to give up, her face burning with pain and embarrassment. The words she had thrown earlier now came back to haunt her. Lemira fixed her gaze on Evelina: "Pick up my papers!"

Evelina whined, "It wasn't on purpose."

"So, accidents don't need correcting?"

Caught off guard, Evelina turned to Asher: "Asher, I was just looking out for her."

"Lemira, look what you did to Eve. This is a courthouse, do you think you can just walk away from this?"

Asher thought he had something on Lemira, but she had played right into his hands.

Mr. Alfred remained unflustered:

"Mr. Asher, accusations require

proof. My client was defending

herself, and it was Ms. Sterling who instigated the altercation."

Asher was taken aback, not expecting Mr. Alfred to involve himself in such a matter, and fell silent.

Evelina, frustrated, turned to Dorian with a plea in her eyes: "It hurts so much."

Seeing Evelina's battered face, Dorian's interest waned, but he didn't want to see Lemira triumphant either.

Dorian addressed Mr. Alfred: "Mr. Alfred, that's a separate issue. You're too busy to bother with this." "This is part of my duties."

"My cousin must have offered you quite the incentive to protect Lemira like this. Are they involved!"

Dorian could only think of his cousin Thaddeus, who was close with the Everhart heir. Only someone with the Everharts' backing could have arranged for Mr. Alfred's

involvement.

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Mr. Alfred paused, revealing that it wasn't Thaddeus who had asked him to take the case, but someone from the Everhart family.

Mr. Alfred's tone turned icy: "Mr. Draven, I'd advise you to be careful with your words, lest you bring trouble upon yourself."

Dorian, recalling his cousin's warning, immediately backed down.

Mr. Alfred addressed Evelina: "Ms. Sterling, you need to pick up those papers, or we will pursue this matter further."

Evelina glanced at Dorian, hoping for his intervention.noveldrama

"Oh come on, you did deliberately knock those papers from Lemira's hands. Just pick them up."

Evelina stamped her foot in frustration: "Dorian!"

She looked to Asher, but even he said, "Just pick them up, give Mr. Alfred some respect."

After all, this man held sway in Orvin and had the backing of the Everharts, a powerhouse you wouldn't want to cross.

Evelina, feeling utterly deserted,

burst into tears. How could they all

refuse to support her? Bending

down to pick up the papers for Lemira felt more painful than death itself.