When They Beg I Rise (Lemira) novel Chapter 1115

Lemira's blunt rejection caused Barrett's smug expression to instantly curdle.

Jessica hurriedly grabbed his arm. "Come on, Barrett, let's go inside. The dinner is about to start."

"Why aren't you two inside yet? What's the hold-up?"

A middle-aged woman marched out from the private dining room. Jessica quickly deferred to her. "Aunt Halloway, we're coming right now. Barrett, let's go."

Furious at the rejection, Barrett forcefully shoved Jessica away. "Who the hell do you think you are, giving me orders?"

Caught off guard, Jessica stumbled backward and hit the floor hard.

Lemira's eyes flared with anger. She immediately rushed forward, helping Jessica to her feet. "Are you okay?"

Jessica gave a shaky nod.

Lemira spun around, her gaze locking onto Barrett with predatory coldness. "Apologize to her."

Barrett scoffed loudly. "Like hell I will. I'm the only male heir in this family. You should be counting your lucky stars that I even looked your way, and you have the nerve to reject me? You think going to Orvin makes you royalty?"

Humiliated and bruised, Barrett started spewing defensive trash.

Mrs. Halloway crossed her arms, looking Lemira up and down with blatant disgust. "I've seen a million little tramps like you. Playing hard to get just to hook my son's attention, aren't you?"

Lemira actually blinked in sheer disbelief at the audacity.

Mrs. Halloway sneered. "What? Cat got your tongue now that I've called you out?"

Lemira let out a dry, humorless laugh. "I'm just marveling at the fact that someone can be this utterly delusional."

"Excuse me? Delusional? My son is an incredible catch. It would be a privilege for a girl like you to date him. Who do you think you are to turn your nose up at him?"

Lemira met her glare with absolute ice. "First of all, I have a boyfriend. Second, even if I were single, I'd have to be legally blind to settle for a bottom-feeder like your son."

Jessica couldn't hold back anymore. "Barrett, you act so high and mighty about women being 'pure,' but didn't you literally beg your last girlfriend to move in with you? Why didn't you have this ridiculous standard back then? By your own logic, you're damaged goods too."

"What do you know? I'm a man. It's totally different for men."

Mrs. Halloway nodded firmly. "Exactly. My son is a man. It doesn't devalue him."

Jessica was shaking with rage. She turned to Lemira, her voice thick with embarrassment. "I'm so sorry. You should just go enjoy your dinner."

Lemira didn't want to escalate things further and make the night miserable for Jessica.

After all, it was her grandmother's birthday.

But Mrs. Halloway wasn't about to let it go. "Where do you think you're going? You just insulted us. You're not leaving until you apologize."

Jessica snapped, "Aunt Halloway, you insulted her first!"