Chapter 176
Evelyn’s POV
I straightened my shoulders. “I could ask you the same question p>
“The Red Cedar Resort bidding,” he said flatly. “Though I’m surprised to see you in real estate now p>
His companion, a petite brunette whose face seemed familiar, stood silently beside him. Something about her bothered me, like I’d seen her somewhere before. She smiled politely.
I noticed Zeon wasn’t there. As Calvin’s Beta, he should have been here for something this important.
“Where’s Zeon?” I asked. “Isn’t he usually with you for business matters p>
Annoyance flashed across Calvin’s face. “He had an allergic reaction to peanuts. Had to be hospitalized p>
That seemed odd. In all our years together, I’d never known Zeon to accidentally eat something he was allergic to.
“That’s unfortunate,” I replied, not hiding my doubt.
The elevator arrived with a soft ping, and I stepped in, disappointed when Calvin followed. The tension in the small space was suffocating.
When the doors opened on the top floor, I nearly collided with a familiar face.
“Eve,” said a warm voice. “I never expected to see you here p>
Logan stood before me, his eyes lighting up.
“Logan.” I nodded briefly.
“I apologize for disappearing after our dinner,” he explained. “My grandmother fell ill, and I had to return to Duskwatch Bay immediately p>
I tried to stay calm, but Marcia’s name bothered me. She had forced me to leave Eros Pack territory years ago.
Logan turned to Calvin. “Alpha Calvin, good to see you again p>
“Move,” Calvin replied coldly, pushing past him with his companion.
I watched them walk down the hallway and saw that Calvin’s room was directly across from mine, while Logan’s was next to his.
“Eve, my grandmother sent some gifts for you,” Logan said, walking beside me as I headed to my room. “They’re in my suite. I could bring them over p>
My grip tightened on my purse. Instantly. Marcia’s “gifts” were the last thing I wanted.
“Not necessary,” I replied.
Logan looked at my face with concern. “Is everything alright? You seem upset whenever I mention my grandmother p>
“I’m just tired,” I lied.
“Of course,” he said finally. “Maybe later p>
I nodded and escaped to my room, with Eryx taking his position next door. The moment the door closed behind me, I released a long breath.
Memories of my time in Duskwatch Bay flooded back—the whispered insults, the “accidents” that left me injured, the isolation. All while Marcia smiled in public, playing the caring grandmother.
The room suddenly felt too small. I needed air. Now.I grabbed my key card and headed out, avoiding the elevator in case I ran into Calvin or Logan again. The night air felt cool against my face as I left the hotel.
The resort town was quieter than I expected, most businesses already closed.
I wandered aimlessly.I barely noticed the footsteps until they got close. As I turned down a narrow side street, a rough voice called out.
“Well, what’s a pretty thing like you doing out so late p>
I turned slowly to face a man with yellowed teeth and alcohol on his breath. His eyes looked me over greedily.
“I’m heading back now,” I said firmly, sizing him up.
He wasn’t particularly large, but I could see a knife barely hidden in his pocket.
“Why rush?” he said, stepping closer. “It’s cold out. I could keep you warm p>
It struck me as odd. The resort area was generally safe, especially during major events like the land auction. Someone targeting a lone woman felt planned rather than random.
“No, thank you,” I replied coldly, shifting my stance.
He lunged forward, reaching for my arm. “Don’t be like that, sweetheart p>
His words cut off as I grabbed his wrist, twisted sharply, and slammed him against the brick wall. The impact knocked the wind from his lungs.
“I said no,” I hissed.
Before I could continue, a dark figure appeared from the shadows and kicked the man hard in the side, sending him sprawling.
Calvin stood there, white shirt gleaming in the dim streetlight, eyes filled with rage. He stomped on the attacker’s knee, making him howl.
“Still feeling warm?” Calvin asked quietly.
“N-no! I’m good! Please, I’m sorry!” the man whimpered, scrambling backward before limping away.
Calvin turned to me, still angry. “What the hell are you doing wandering around alone at night p>
I bristled at his tone. “I don’t need your protection p>
“Clearly,” he said dryly, looking me up and down. “But that doesn’t explain why you’re out here p>
Something in his tone snapped my patience.
I swung at him.
Calvin’s eyes widened as he barely dodged my fist. He moved to catch my wrist, but I was already pivoting away, bringing my leg up in a kick aimed at his groin.
He blocked it, just barely, his expression shifting from surprise to respect.
“Evelyn, what are you p>
I didn’t let him finish, launching into another attack. Each strike carried five years of resentment, of nights spent crying alone, of feeling used and discarded.
Calvin defended himself skillfully, but I could tell he was holding back. That only made me angrier. Even now, he didn’t take me seriously.
We exchanged blows in the narrow alley, neither gaining advantage. My training had paid off—I was no longer the naive girl who’d married him. Between caring for Alexis and building my company, I’d made time to become stronger, to never be vulnerable again.
I landed a solid kick to his knee, sending him down.
“Satisfied?” he asked quietly.
I wasn’t. I’d seen him pull that punch, seen him deliberately lower his guard.
“No,” I said coldly.
Calvin got to his feet smoothly. “Fine. Let’s continue p>
This time, he fought with more intensity, though still not his full strength. His movements were precise and powerful, forcing me to use every skill I’d learned.
Frustrated, I slapped him. Hard. Twice.
He didn’t flinch, didn’t hit back. Instead, he laughed softly, touching his reddening cheek. “Been wanting to do that for a while, haven’t you p>
I didn’t deny it, just stared at him coldly.
Calvin loosened his tie. “Got it out of your system? Or do you need more p>
I narrowed my eyes, suddenly suspicious. It was almost like he was deliberately letting me vent my anger on him. The Calvin I knew would never willingly play punching bag.
“You’re insane,” I said, turning to leave.
“Well, something must be wrong with me,” he called after me. “Why else would I keep passing out p>
His words stopped me cold, but I refused to be drawn in. When he reached for my arm, I reacted instinctively, knocking his hand away and driving my knee up toward his groin.
This time he moved faster, avoiding the worst of it but still wincing.
I didn’t wait for his recovery, walking away toward the hotel. Quickly. Let him deal with his own problems. I had enough of mine.
Back in my suite, I took a long shower, washing away the night’s tension. As I was toweling my hair dry, a knock came at the door.
“Eve? Are you awake?” Logan called softly from the hallway.