Chapter 434

Lemira’s expression froze for a moment as she stared blankly at him. Her gaze fluttered slightly before she looked down and whispered, “I’m fine, aren’t I?”

“What if you weren’t? Didn’t I tell you to call me for anything? I can take care of anything for you!” Orion’s voice grew louder with frustration.

The memory of hearing Lemira’s desperate cries for help during a livestream haunted him. In that moment, he had felt a murderous rage. And yet, it turned out she was just playing a dangerous game.

Lemira glanced down at the scrape on her knee, murmuring, “Even as friends, I can’t bother you with everything.”

The last sponsorship for the team had also come from Maple Group. She couldn’t always depend on Orion. She had to handle her dealings with the Langston family on her own, not wanting to drag her friends into her mess.

Especially given Caspian’s temperament, provoking him would only lead to relentless backlash.

Orion’s car halted at a red light, and he turned his head, his gaze dark and deep. “Do you really see us just as friends?” he asked, breaking the silence.

Lemira’s grip tightened on her pants as she struggled to find her voice, “What else would we be?”

Orion rested his hand on the steering wheel, his look intense. “If you can’t protect yourself, then I’ll do it. Stay by my side, and nobody will dare to mess with you.”

Lemira’s heartbeat raced. She could feel her cheeks flushing. Just as she was about to respond, a honk from behind urged them forward, “The light’s green.”

Orion drove off, leaving a heavy silence in the car. Lemira stared ahead, her thoughts in turmoil. What did his words really mean? Or was she reading too much into it?

Soon, they arrived at a hospital. Lemira noted, “Isn’t this the upscale clinic you came to last time?” It was known as a place for the affluent.

Orion, with a stern face, said, “Get out.”

Reluctantly, Lemira stepped out, and the medical staff were already waiting. She was immediately seated in a wheelchair and whisked inside. She looked back at Orion, who was talking to a doctor, noticing the respectful demeanor of the medical staff towards him.

Orion watched Lemira being taken for examination, instructing coldly, “Be thorough with the checkup, and be gentle with the disinfection; she’s sensitive to pain.”

The doctor quickly assured, “Mr. Everhart, rest assured, we’ll take the utmost care.”

Orion leaned against his car, lighting a cigarette, trying to calm his nerves. Lemira’s examination ended quickly. Sitting uncomfortably in the wheelchair—since she wasn’t seriously injured—she attempted to stand but was gently pushed back down.

Orion wheeled Lemira into a private room, his gaze stern, “Just stay here.”

Feeling intimidated, Lemira murmured, “I’m a bit hungry.”

“Wait here.”

Orion left the room, and Lemira, watching his departing figure, felt a strange comfort. Pulling out her phone, she saw messages from Janice and squad leader Jessica.

As she was about to reply, the door swung open, and three impeccably dressed individuals entered. The woman leading them, adorned in designer brands, approached Lemira, offering a business card, “Hello, Ms. Langston, I’m the manager from TG Group.”

Lemira didn’t accept the card, “What does a PR firm want with me?”

“Ms. Langston, perhaps you’re not familiar with TG Group? We’re the top PR team under the Everhart family’s umbrella. There’s no reputation we can’t salvage. What would it take for you to agree to release a statement claiming that the recent livestream was just a rehearsal?”

Lemira scoffed, “There’s nothing you can offer that would make me agree. I want Caspian’s downfall.”

“This meeting is your opportunity. Any backlash will only affect you.”

Before she could finish, the door was kicked open. Orion stood in the doorway, holding a meal tray, his expression icy.