When They Beg, I Rise!

Almost everyone's gaze shifted toward Lemira.

Evelina looked particularly tense, taking the initiative, "Lemmy, you remember how Wendy and others falsely accused you of cheating? You must understand how I feel right now. I know you've never been fond of me, but we're family, right?" Seeing Evelina so anxious, Lemira realized that she, too, could feel fear.

She spoke up calmly, "I do recall Evelina looking back, actually." She was just being honest.

Evelina's eyes instantly filled with tears, "Lemmy, how could you say that? You just said Wendy was lying."

Her sidekick chimed in, "Exactly, we all heard you earlier. Lemira, your story keeps changing. How can anyone believe what you say?"

Lemira replied slowly, "I didn't think much of it at first, but now, it just came back to me."

Evelina was fuming with anger, thinking of Lemira as nothing short of a wretch!

She looked up at the teacher with a face full of misery, "I didn't cheat, I swear. I looked back because I heard Wendy calling me, and she slipped that note onto my desk when I wasn't looking. I had no clue."

The teacher, initially inclined towards Evelina, recalled the past incident where Lemira was falsely accused and started doubting Evelina's character.

The teacher finally said, "Evelina, Wendy, both of you, come to my office."

Lemira remained seated, the chatter about the cheating scandal swirling around her. She simply opened her textbook, curious to see how much she could score.

Soon, the monitor called her out, "The teacher wants to see you in the office."

Lemira had anticipated this and went to the office, only to find Wendy absent. Instead, Lucian was there. Obviously, Evelina had called for help.

With reddened eyes, Evelina looked up at her, "Lemmy, do you really hate me this much? What do I have to do for you to forgive me?" Lemira answered calmly, "I'm just stating what I saw. If I really wanted to get you in trouble, I'd have outright said I saw you cheating!" Evelina's face turned beet red.

Lucian couldn't stand it, scolding Lemira, "Can't you speak properly? Eve is also a part of the Langston family. I thought you'd know better in a situation like this!" Lemira raised her head, "What does you expect me to say, Lucian? That I didn't see anything? Fine, I really didn't see Evelina looking back."

Lucian felt his head hurt, frustrated by her misunderstanding.

The teacher cleared his throat, "Well, I've got the gist of it. Evelina, you're not entirely blameless. You shouldn't have others do your homework or whisper during tests." Lucian interjected, "Eve had others do her homework because she was tied up with family issues, I can vouch for that."ConTEent bel0ngs to Nôv(e)lD/rama(.)Org .

Getting homework help was a minor issue, especially since Evelina had her reasons.

Evelina looked particularly wronged, "Lucian, I had no idea Wendy wanted to frame me for cheating, just because I mentioned the money she owed me."

"Eve, I know you're kind-hearted and like to help the less fortunate students, but even kindness has its limits."

Lucian believed Evelina was innocent, a victim of false accusations.

The teacher concluded, "We'll discuss the outcome of this matter. You can go back to class for now."

Lemira turned and left.

Lucian followed her outside, "Lemmy, how could you testify you saw Eve looking back? What if the teacher decides she's guilty of cheating and punishes her? Have you thought about the consequences?" Lemira stopped, "If Evelina did cheat and is trying to pin it on Wendy, who's not well-off, have you considered what happens to Wendy?"

"It's impossible. Eve wouldn't do something like that."

Lucian almost instinctively defended her.