When They Beg I Rise (Lemira) novel Chapter 1019

Lemira was taken aback by Sophia's appearance.

The once-glamorous, top-tier socialite looked completely drained. Even though she had applied a full face of makeup, the heavy exhaustion radiating from her was impossible to hide.

Sophia used to look like a vibrant peony in full bloom; now, she looked like a flower that had been trampled in the mud.

She certainly hadn't looked this broken at the mall earlier.

A bodyguard rushed in behind her. "I'm sorry, Mr. Jones. We couldn't stop her."

Gregory's brow furrowed in irritation, but he quickly plastered on a smile. "Baby, what are you doing here?"

"If I wasn't here, how would I know what you were up to behind my back? What did you promise me?!"

Sophia stared at the middle-aged man in absolute shock, her chest heaving with rage.

She had given up everything to sleep with this old man, to get engaged to him—all so he would crush Lemira and save her family.

To destroy the evidence. To silence the witness. To keep her mother out of prison.

But neither of those things had happened. And now, this bastard was sitting here having a friendly dinner with the Langstons, talking about wiping the slate clean.

If they made peace, where did that leave her?

What about her ruined life?

Watching the scene unfold, Lemira figured Sophia had been kept entirely in the dark. Of course Gregory wouldn't tell her.

"What exactly is going on here?" Lemira asked, feigning innocence.

Gregory waved his hand dismissively. "Ms. Lemira, please ignore her. She's just being overly emotional."

But Sophia refused to back down. "Gregory, what is this?! You said you'd clear my mother's name!"

"Clear her name? I'm a law-abiding businessman. I would never get involved in illegal activities. Watch what you're saying."

"If you hadn't promised me that, why the hell would I ever agree to marry you?!"

Sophia realized with a sickening jolt that she had been played. The last fragile string holding her sanity together was on the verge of snapping.

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