Chapter 153
Evelyn’s POV
Under the bright lights, women in expensive dresses filled the huge ballroom, all trying to look their best.
I noticed their eyes following Leon as he entered, then shifting to me with looks that weren’t exactly friendly. They’d all probably seen Liri’s livestream.
I smoothed down my white off-shoulder dress, knowing it showed off my figure perfectly. It was designer, one of only three like it in the world. My jewelry caught the light, making even more people stare.
From across the room, I saw Silas Robinson watching me with sharp eyes. The old Brownfur Pack Alpha was probably trying to figure out what had gotten his grandson so interested.
I wanted to roll my eyes. Leon and I now were just friends at most.
In a dark corner, I spotted that disgusting creep Randy lurking around.
I wasn’t surprised he’d gotten an invitation since he was Calvin’s uncle. After I refused to help him get clients into Evelink Biosciences, he’d probably lost a fortune and paid out who knows how much in damages. He was probably looking for some rich woman to bail him out now. The guy reeked of desperation.
Leon had barely arrived at the party when Alpha Silas called him away.
I didn’t know anyone here, and I’d only come as a favor to Leon.
When the waiter approached with champagne, I accepted a glass without thinking. As I brought it to my lips, a faint medicinal smell stopped me. Someone had drugged the drink. I set it down carefully and looked around the room. Was someone targeting me specifically, or was I just unlucky?
“Ms. Blackwell! I saw you in that online livestream. What a surprise to meet you here p>
A woman in designer clothes and way too much jewelry walked over, champagne in hand. Her makeup was perfect, but her smile was fake.
“Lovely to meet you,” I said politely, staying alert.
After some small talk, she brought up Evelink Biosciences, just like I expected. She had that tone rich people use when they think they’re better than you but haven’t actually done anything with their lives.
“Ms. Blackwell, give me your contact information.” She sipped her champagne, watching me. “My husband owns the biggest pharmaceutical distribution company around here. I heard your lab makes amazing new drugs. He could handle all your sales. What do you think p>
I gave her a polite smile. “No need. We have established partners p>
Her face got tight, clearly not used to being told no. “Which company? Is there any pharmaceutical distributor larger than my husband’s in this country p>
She was basically calling me stupid for not jumping at her offer. I waved over another waiter for a drink, but this glass smelled like medicine too. Someone was definitely targeting me.
“Size isn’t everything,” I said calmly. “Our production is pretty small. It’s not about how much you can distribute p>
I looked down at her ridiculous high heels and couldn’t help myself. “Besides, our current partner doesn’t look down on me when we talk p>
The joke wasn’t lost on either of us. Even in those crazy tall heels, she still had to look up at me.
“You!” Her face turned red as she pointed a finger right at my face. “You just wait, you little p>
I grabbed her finger and bent it back, not enough to break it, but enough to hurt. She screamed loud enough for the whole room to hear.
“I don’t like people pointing fingers at me,” I said, leaning forward. My voice got cold. “It’s rude p>
Her face twisted with pain and embarrassment. “You wait! My husband won’t let you get away with this p>
I raised my untouched glass like I was making a toast. “I’ll be right here waiting p>
The noise had gotten everyone’s attention. People were whispering and staring at the rich woman holding her hurt hand. I could see the surprise on their faces. Nobody expected someone who looked like me to fight back like that.
Leon rushed over, looking worried. “Evelyn, are you alright p>
“I’m fine,” I said, handing him both glasses. “But you should test these. Someone’s drugging drinks at your family’s party. Not good for the Brownfur Pack’s reputation p>
His face got dark immediately. He called his assistant over to take the glasses for testing and asked for the security footage.
That’s when I saw him. Randy hiding behind a marble column, watching me. Everything clicked.
“Leon, have someone check out that man,” I said, pointing toward Randy.
Leon’s eyes got narrow when he recognized him. He signaled his security team, and they walked over and escorted Randy to a private room downstairs.
I watched Randy’s face change from worried to excited as they led him away. The idiot probably thought he was getting a business meeting. He even fixed his jacket over his fat belly and held his head up high.
A few minutes later, Leon came back looking furious. “The security cameras show Randy bribing the waiters. He was definitely targeting you p>
The fact that someone had tried to drug me at his family’s event clearly pissed him off.
“I’m going to deal with that piece of trash,” he said, his voice dangerous.
“Do what you need to,” I said. “I’ll get some air on the balcony p>
Leon sent two guards to follow me as I walked through the crowd. Outside, the cool air felt good after being stuck inside.
Even from the balcony, I could hear Randy screaming from the room below. Leon wasn’t going easy on him. Part of me thought he deserved whatever Leon was doing to him.
As I looked out at the city lights, my phone buzzed with a text from Calvin, “Stay where you are. I’m coming p>
How did he even know where I was? And why did he care? We’d barely talked since Thunder Creek.
A few minutes later, the Brownfur Pack’s butler walked up to me.
“Ms. Blackwell, Alpha Silas wants to see you in the upstairs meeting room p>
Silas wanted to see me? Interesting timing. He probably needed something from me, maybe about Leon’s injuries or something else.
“Lead the way,” I told him.
I followed him through the fancy hallways.
When he opened a door, I smelled a rich, sweet aroma.