When They Beg, I Rise!

Lemira stood on the sidelines, watching as the manager fawned over Evelina with a warmth that bordered on obsequiousness. If it had happened in her previous life, such a scene would have sparked jealousy in her. But right now she couldn't care less.

Evelina herself seemed taken aback by the manager's enthusiasm. The sight of Lemira, that witch, had initially irked her, given that Lemira was the real Ms. Langston. The people at this company were always so quick to shift their loyalties. It must have been Alaric who had given them a heads-up, causing the manager to sideline Lemira.

Evelina basked in the manager's eager attention, "I'm still getting the lay of the land here, so I'm counting on your support."

"It's no trouble at all. With you joining our team, it's like we've struck gold. Let's head to my office and have some coffee."

Evelina was pleased at the manager's words. She cast a smug glance at Lemira, who had been left out in the cold, before heading off to the office.

Lemira, unfazed, turned her focus to the HR department to check in.

The HR manager hardly glanced at her papers before speaking with a chill, "Try starting in the tech department. Whether you stay depends on if you can crack the case."

The firewall issue had stumped many a recruit, yet none had prevailed.

Lemira wasn't bothered. It's just a side gig for her, after all. She'd wrap this up in a couple of days.

Ignoring the HR manager's indifference, Lemira made her way to the work area.

The tech team leader, upon seeing Lemira's youthful appearance, couldn't hide his ridicule, "Such a young engineer? Did HR mix something up?"

After all, despite the parade of hotshots who had come through, the problem remained unsolved.

Now, there was this girl who looked barely legal. Could she solve the firewall issue?

Lemira was calm as ever, "Since you're out of options, let me have a crack at it."

She found an empty desk, booted up a computer, and started prepping the software.

This team leader, she heed

him. In her previous life, he had vouched for Evelina, crediting her with solving the firewall issu

QUMS

Soon after Evelina emerged with

the

man who announced loudlye

"Let's take a break, folks. Ms. Langston is here to inspect our

work. She's one of us now.

Evelina offered a polished smile, "Hey everyone, I'm just the newbie here. I hope I can count on your support." The office played along nicely.

The team leader stood up, all eagerness, "Of course, we've got to take care of the new star of our branch." Lemira kept her eyes on her computer, emotionless, the office buzz seemingly worlds away.

A colleague whispered in awe, "Ms. Langston's got it made, not like us grinders."

"Seriously. She's here for the firewall thing, right? Looks so young, still in college, and she's tackling IT?" Lemira had heard it all before.

In her past life, when she came to this branch to fix the firewall, Evelina had tagged along, claiming she wanted to learn but ended up being a hindrance. In the end, Evelina took all the credit, and not a soul stood up for Lemira.

Soon, Evelina approached in high heels, her perfume filled the air.

"Ms. Langston, any directives for us?"

She glanced at Lemira, all smiles, "Just checking on the firewall issue. Still no luck?"

"Ahem, we're on it. Brought in some fresh blood, too. Should have it cracked open soon."

The team leader, looking over at Lemira impatiently, prompted, "Hey, stand up and greet Ms. Langston. Share your plan."