When They Beg I Rise (Lemira) novel Chapter 996

"Are you alright?" she asked.

Orion's gaze fell on her face, a flicker of surprise in his eyes at her concern.

She awkwardly looked away. "Don't get the wrong idea. I'm just asking."

A faint smile touched his lips. Instinctively shielding his injured arm from her view, he looked at her profile and murmured softly, "I'm fine."

Hearing his reassurance, she let out a quiet breath of relief but didn't look back up at him.

Walking slightly ahead with the thief in tow, Sebastian caught the exchange. He let out a loud, contemptuous scoff, though it wasn't clear exactly who it was directed at.

They quickly reached the internet cafe.

However, when Finn logged into the game, the mysterious buyer was completely offline and unresponsive to messages.

Lemira checked the screen. It was a brand-new burner account.

She frowned. "I have a bad feeling about this. They aren't going to log back in."

Given the massive commotion outside the spa, anyone with half a brain would know the drop had been compromised. They wouldn't be stupid enough to hand over an address now.

Orion said calmly, "Look on the bright side. At least the drive is in our hands."

Lemira nodded. "You're right. That's the most important part."

Sebastian snorted. "It also proves whatever is on here is incredibly damaging. Looks like Hale wasn't bluffing."

She looked at both men. "Alright, let's go."

Sebastian patted the thief on the shoulder. "What do we do with this one?"

Noticing the guy was barely an adult, Lemira pulled out a thin manila envelope of cash and handed it to him.

"If they contact you again, call this number and tell me," she instructed.

Focused entirely on seeing the evidence, Lemira didn't notice the silent war between the two men.

She got into Sebastian's car, leaving Orion standing alone on the sidewalk.

A short distance away, a sleek black sedan sat parked in the shadows, quietly observing the scene.

Inside, Sophia Sinclair was in a state of sheer panic. "That bitch Lemira got the drive back! What do we do now? Your guys were completely useless!"

The middle-aged man sitting next to her casually draped a heavy arm over her shoulders. "Say the word, and I'll send more men to snatch it right out of their hands."

"Then do it! If they open it, they'll copy the files!"

Sophia was frantic, but her breath hitched as the man's thick fingers trailed down to her chest. His voice dropped into a sleazy, suggestive purr. "I've already done half the job, and I haven't even gotten a taste of you yet. Give me a little incentive, hm?"

She froze, trying not to recoil as his greasy hands forced their way under her clothes, groping her aggressively.