Chapter 101
Evelyn’s POV
The twins had gone back to school after summer vacation, their reluctance to leave Alex evident in their lingering hugs and promises to see her soon. With Rowan and Rhys no longer at my house and Calvin keeping his distance, I could finally breathe a little easier. Not having to face my irritating ex-husband daily was certainly a relief.
But something kept nagging at me. Calvin had done the paternity test for Alex, yet he hadn’t confronted me about the results. Why wasn’t he obsessing over whether Alex was his child? The test results should have shown she was his, but his lack of reaction made me uneasy. Had something gone wrong with the test? I knew I hadn’t interfered with it.
My anxiety prompted me to contact Jackson and Eryx, asking them to help conceal Alex’s identity and my whereabouts for the past three years. I wasn’t sure if their efforts would successfully evade Calvin’s investigation, but it gave me some peace of mind.
Astrid had left to film a new movie abroad, and Husara had quickly filled the void in the children’s hearts. She had recently stopped traveling overseas for photography shoots, deciding instead to hold a photography exhibition in Ravenshade.
Tonight, she was insistent on dining at Ravenshade’s finest restaurant, claiming we needed to “experience the finer things in life” after she’d spent days securing a reservation.
Unable to resist her enthusiasm, I left Alex with a trusted sitter and allowed Husara to dress me up like her personal doll. Meanwhile, she looked striking in a custom-tailored men’s suit, every bit the charismatic tomboy as she slicked back her short hair with gel into a sleek pompadour.
“Really, Husara? Are you planning to conquer the hearts of every woman in Ravenshade tonight?” I teased, watching her admire herself in the mirror.
She flashed me a mischievous grin. “I don’t play the field, darling. Tonight, you’re my only date p>
The restaurant occupied the top floor of a luxury hotel, offering a breathtaking view of Ravenshade’s most vibrant district. Directly across from us stood the imposing headquarters of Wolfe Haven International, the corporate empire that controlled half of Veridia’s economy.
As we stepped into the elevator, I immediately spotted Keith. His eyes lit up when he saw me, like a mouse who’d just discovered unguarded cheese.
No matter what he said, I refused to show him any warmth. My expression remained frigid as I commanded, “Move aside p>
Keith dropped to his knees and shuffled forward, reaching for the sleeve of my dress but missing.
His eyes downcast with apparent remorse, he pleaded, “Eve, I know I was wrong p>
“Please, let me see Lynn. I can’t live without her p>
“Please, for my sister’s sake, give me one more chance. I promise I’ll change p>
The mention of my deceased friend made my eyes darken. I took a deep breath and replied coldly, “Keith, if Helena were still alive, she’d be the first person wanting to kill you p>
The kneeling man’s handsome face blanched as he grasped my meaning.
From the corner of my eye, I noticed Calvin approaching.
What the hell? Why did I have to run into him today? I should have consulted my tarot cards before leaving the house.
As he drew closer, he could clearly hear Keith’s desperate pleas.
“I really know I was wrong. Please don’t ignore me p>
“Eve, you used to care about me p>
“Remember that oil painting you bought for my birthday? It’s still hanging in my living room p>
Keith was desperately searching his memory for moments when I had treated him like a brother, not realizing that any kindness I’d shown him had been solely because of Helena. She’d always refused my gifts of gratitude, so I’d expressed my appreciation by giving presents to her brother instead.
He tilted his head back, tears streaming down his face, his voice choked with desperation. “Eve, you’re all I have left p>
Keith kneeling before me was the picture of remorse and uncertainty, his gaze anxious and insecure. His hand hovered near the sleeve of my dress, not quite daring to touch it, his tear-filled eyes fixed intently on me.
My striking appearance alongside Husara’s had already drawn attention the moment we entered the restaurant, and Keith’s theatrical display on his knees only added to the spectacle. To onlookers, it resembled a young man desperately trying to win back a lover’s heart.
I could already hear the whispers from people around us.
“Oh my God! Is this a live reconciliation scene? But that woman already has a handsome guy next to her p>
“That woman is so cold and gorgeous! So cool! So beautiful! I think I’m getting a crush p>
“Look at that man walking toward them—now that’s pure masculine perfection! The guy on his knees is just good-looking, but that man and that woman would make a stunning couple p>
Calvin appeared at my side just then, entering the scene that the restaurant patrons were eagerly watching.
They say a black suit is a man’s armor, and in Calvin’s case, this couldn’t be more accurate. His already impressive physique was enhanced by the tailoring, emanating an unparalleled aura of nobility and power.
Calvin’s expression was severe, his lips pressed into a tight line. The contrast between his immaculate appearance and Keith’s pathetic position on the floor created such an overwhelming sense of intimidation that Keith instinctively wanted to bow his head in submission.
Calvin’s lips curled into a faint smile. “Mr. Frost seems quite comfortable on his knees. Must be a familiar position for someone who makes so many mistakes p>
Keith looked bewildered.
I turned to look at Calvin, confused by his intervention.
“Mr. Frost has already betrayed his childhood sweetheart. Is he now trying to ruin someone else’s wife p>
“When did I try to ruin—” Keith’s words halted abruptly when he realized who was standing beside Calvin. Me.
I almost forgot that Keith had his own reckless streak. The helplessness of not finding his lover for days, combined with the disappointment of my coldness, transformed into a whirlwind that swept away what little rationality remained in his mind.
Incredibly, he challenged Calvin directly to his face.
“If I recall correctly, Eve divorced you three years ago, Alpha Calvin. I’m not sure if you’re simply forgetful or if age is affecting your memory, but you seem confused about who your wife actually is p>
Calvin’s gaze grew even sharper as he let out a cold laugh. “Still better than driving one’s girlfriend to suicide p>
I grabbed Calvin’s arm and snapped, “Enough p>
I knew that my strength could never actually move Calvin, so I didn’t pull too hard. To my surprise, he stumbled slightly and actually allowed himself to be pulled aside.
“Are you interested in Keith?” Calvin’s husky voice was pleasant but carried a distinct chill.
I gave him a dismissive glance. “You’re creating problems where none exist p>
I had simply come to enjoy a meal with my friend, never expecting to encounter acquaintances one after another.
A peculiar atmosphere lingered among the three of us until the appearance of another man broke the tense standoff.