Chapter 178
Evelyn’s POV
I stabbed my fork into the omelet, trying to ignore the two grown men bickering like children across from me at the resort’s restaurant. The tension between Calvin and Logan had been building since we sat down for breakfast, and now it was reaching ridiculous levels.
“I find it amusing that you think you have any right to lecture me about my personal life,” Calvin said coldly. “Especially considering your own relationship history p>
Logan’s jaw tightened. “At least I didn’t cheat on my mate with someone like Clara. You couldn’t even keep your marriage together p>
“And you couldn’t even make decisions without Marcia’s approval,” Calvin shot back, cutting his steak forcefully. “If it weren’t for your grandmother’s iron fist, who knows if you’d even be Alpha right now. I’ve heard rumors about your father’s indiscretions. How many half-siblings do you have again p>
I rolled my eyes and took a sip of orange juice.
Logan flushed. “You have no right to speak about my family. Evelyn and I have history. I’m her best friend p>
Calvin laughed coldly, making several heads turn in the restaurant. “Right. The best friend who stood by while your entire pack bullied her p>
The color drained from Logan’s face. His mouth opened, then closed again.
I set my glass down hard enough to make both men look at me.
“Enough,” I said firmly. “You’re both acting like teenagers. This is a public place, and people are staring p>
I could feel curious glances from other diners. After all, anyone familiar with business news would recognize Calvin Wolfe and Logan Walton, CEOs of major corporations, arguing over breakfast with me, supposedly just a representative of a small pharmaceutical startup.
What surprised me was how quickly both men fell silent. These were two powerful Alphas who commanded respect wherever they went, yet they both looked embarrassed.
“I’m going to Red Cedar to survey the property,” I announced, standing up.
“I’ll join you,” both men said simultaneously, then glared at each other.
I suppressed a groan. “Do whatever you want. Just behave like adults p>
Walking through the lobby, I spotted Eryx waiting by the entrance, scanning everyone who passed by. His posture relaxed when he saw me.
“Ready?” he asked, opening the door.
“As I’ll ever be,” I muttered, heading toward the SUV.
The property was even more impressive in daylight. Red Cedar Resort stretched across several acres of pristine land, with the main buildings nestled between ancient trees and a crystal clear lake. But I wasn’t here for the views.
“Let’s collect samples from these coordinates,” I told Eryx. “We need soil from at least five different areas and water samples from both the lake and the underground spring p>
Eryx nodded. “What about the other bidders? I’ve spotted representatives from at least two other companies p>
“Let them look,” I replied, kneeling to collect a soil sample. “We know what we’re looking for p>
I was examining the soil texture when Eryx suddenly tensed beside me.
“Someone’s coming,” he whispered. “Multiple footsteps. Not resort staff p>
Before I could respond, five men emerged from the tree line. They wore dark clothes and caps pulled low over their faces. Not resort guests. Definitely not staff.
“Ms. Blackwell,” the leader called out, his voice gruff. “We need you to leave. This property isn’t for you p>
I slowly stood up, placing the soil sample in my bag. “This is a public viewing day for all registered bidders p>
“Consider this a friendly warning,” he said, pulling out a knife. “Walk away from the auction. Some opportunities aren’t meant for companies like yours p>
Eryx moved in front of me, his stance protective. “Back off. Now p>
The leader laughed. “Five against one. Bad odds, friend p>
“Make that three against five,” came Calvin’s voice as he appeared from behind us, Logan right beside him. “Still feeling confident p>
The leader hesitated, clearly not expecting two more men to join us. But after a moment, he signaled his group to attack.
What happened next was pure chaos. Eryx took down two men with practiced efficiency. Calvin moved with surprising speed, disarming one attacker and knocking him unconscious with a single blow. Logan engaged with another, while I ducked under the leader’s knife swing and swept his legs out from under him.
When the dust settled, all five men were down. The leader struggled against my grip as I pinned him to the ground.
“Who sent you?” I demanded.
“Go to hell,” he spat.
Logan crouched beside us, his eyes flashing dangerously. “I have less patience than she does. Who sent you p>
When the man remained silent, Logan’s expression darkened. “I, Logan Walton, Alpha of Eros Pack, command you to tell us who hired you to attack Evelyn Blackwell p>
The man’s body went rigid, his eyes widening in pain as he fought against the Alpha command. It was futile. No wolf could resist a direct order from their Alpha.
“Marcia Walton,” he gasped out, sweat beading on his forehead. “Your grandmother p>
Logan recoiled as if slapped. “What? That’s impossible p>
“She paid us to scare the woman away from the auction,” the man continued, words pouring out against his will.
I felt a cold weight settle in my stomach.
“Tell me everything,” Logan commanded, his voice shaking.
The man nodded frantically. “Marcia’s been working for months to clear the field. Used her connections to pressure most bidders to withdraw. Wanted to narrow it down to just your company and Wolfe Haven, make sure you’d win against Calvin. But then this woman’s company showed up last minute. Marcia was furious when she found out who was behind it p>
“How did she know I was involved?” I asked sharply. “The company registration is anonymous p>
“She has people everywhere,” he admitted. “Someone at the registration office tipped her off. She’s determined to make sure you don’t get this property p>
I exchanged a glance with Calvin, whose expression had gone dangerously still.
“Is there more to her plan?” Logan demanded.
“She’s here,” the man said. “Arrived yesterday. She doesn’t trust you to handle this alone. Says you’re too soft p>
Logan looked shocked. His grandmother, whom he’d always defended, had not only set up this attack but didn’t even trust him to handle the auction himself.
“I’m sorry, Eve,” he said, his voice hollow. “I had no idea she would p>
“Don’t,” I cut him off. “This isn’t surprising p>
And it wasn’t. Marcia had made it clear years ago what she thought of me. This was just her latest attempt to put me “in my place p>
“What will you do now?” Calvin asked quietly. “Will you withdraw from the auction p>
I straightened my jacket. “Marcia actually did me a favor. Now I know there are only three serious bidders left.” I looked between the two men. “And I’m definitely not withdrawing p>
Logan stiffened. “I should talk to her, confront her about this p>
“You should,” I agreed. “Though I doubt she came all this way just to sit in a hotel room. If I were you, I’d be wondering what else she might be planning p>
As Eryx and I walked back toward our vehicle, leaving the attackers for Logan to deal with.
As we drove away, I watched Logan in the rearview mirror, still standing amid the aftermath of the attack, looking lost.
Marcia was in town, which meant tomorrow’s auction would be even more challenging than I’d anticipated. I needed to be prepared for anything.
“Eryx,” I said quietly, “contact Gary and Jackson. I want extra security for Alexis, and I want everything we have on Marcia Walton’s recent activities. If she wants to play dirty, we need to know exactly what we’re dealing with p>