Chapter 50
Evelyn’s POV
Clara’s screams were so shrill they made it sound like she might faint any second. My security team blocked her from getting near the gate, forcing her to leave the property. She tripped and fell awkwardly to the ground.
She was still in her hospital gown, no makeup on her face, looking pale with colorless lips. She looked completely helpless and miserable.
“Cal, please help me!” she cried out. “Evelyn is trying to kill me! She wants me dead p>
I watched Calvin’s brow furrow at Clara’s voice. Everyone in the yard had heard her desperate cries, which resembled nothing so much as the howl of a banshee.
Today was Rowan and Rhys’s birthday, and Clara’s dramatic scene was ruining their special day. I could see Calvin’s face darken with obvious disapproval of her behavior.
No matter what, I knew he would have to go out there and deal with her.
I met Calvin’s eyes and gave him a cold smile. Of course I knew exactly why Clara was crying.
Over the past few weeks, I’d had Jackson dig deep into the Calypso Pack’s illegal activities. He’d been thorough, and what we found was even worse than I’d expected.
Once I decided to act, I wasn’t going to leave any loose ends. This was a lesson I’d learned the hard way—when dealing with enemies like Clara, you couldn’t give them any chance to recover.
I had no intention of allowing Clara any opportunity for redemption or revenge.
The evidence had been delivered to various regulatory and law enforcement agencies two days ago,plenty of time for them to verify what we’d uncovered.
While Clara had been lying in her VIP hospital room waiting for Calvin to visit, her grandparents, parents, uncles, aunts, siblings—every family member involved in their illegal operations—had been brought in for questioning.
Even if Calvin could somehow protect Clara herself, there was no way he could shield the entire Calypso Pack.
And Clara had plenty of her own crimes to answer for.
I watched Calvin’s back as he walked toward the front yard.He was still as breathtaking as the first time I’d seen him. His tanned skin glowed in the sunlight, highlighting his strong, masculine features. Those sharp cheekbones and chiseled jaw that had always drawn attention. He’d removed his suit jacket earlier, and the black dress shirt stretched across his broad shoulders, the sleeves rolled up to reveal powerful forearms. The tailored black trousers emphasized his tall, athletic build – every inch the powerful Alpha he was.
I turned away and took the seat Calvin had vacated. I began turning Alexis’s favorite chicken wings on the grill, brushing them with my secret honey glaze. Soon the delicious aroma filled the yard.
My little one followed her nose right to me.
“Mommy, it smells so good,” Alexis said, her eyes bright with anticipation.
Rowan and Rhys, tired from playing, joined us with Nathan, all eager to enjoy the feast that Astrid, Irina and I had prepared for them.
Astrid and Irina emerged from the house carrying the cake, carefully shielding the candles as they walked toward us singing “Happy Birthday p>
“Brothers, bend down,” Alexis instructed, standing on her tiptoes to place birthday hats on Rowan and Rhys.They obediently lowered their heads, and after she’d crowned them, she joined everyone in applauding.
The little boys followed her lead, bobbing their heads rhythmically, adorably animated as they sang the birthday song with serious concentration.
“Happy birthday to brothers p>
“Happy birfday too youuu p>
“Brothers blow candles, eat cake p>
I clapped along with Astrid and Irina’s family while Rowan and Rhys stood in the center of our circle, their cheeks flushed pink with happiness and excitement.
Calvin’s POV
Clara was still lying where the security guards had left her, her eyes filled with tears, looking completely pathetic. When she saw me, she scrambled to the gate, tears running down her face.
“Cal, please listen,” she pleaded. “Can’t you talk to Evelyn? I know she’s always been jealous of your care for me, believing I’m the third wheel in your marriage, but you know that’s not true p>
“I’ve endured all the past humiliations for your sake and the children’s, but this time she’s gone too far. How could she fabricate evidence to frame my family? My grandparents are in their eighties,they shouldn’t have to suffer this injustice. My heart is breaking p>
I caught the key points from her hysterical babbling and understood what she was trying to say.
I stared coldly at her tear-stained face, not buying her act for a second.
“I’ve known Evelyn for years,” I said coldly. “She’s not someone who acts without reason. If your family is truly innocent, Clara, they wouldn’t suddenly all be in custody p>
Before I could finish, Clara looked away, unable to meet my eyes. She just continued crying.
The birthday song drifted from the backyard.
“You should leave,” I told her firmly.
Clara stared at me in shock, tears still clinging to her lashes.
“Cal, aren’t you coming back with me?” she asked.
She had clearly dressed to appear fragile today, hoping to evoke my sympathy. But had she really expected me to abandon my sons’ birthday celebration for her?
I felt Cyra stirring restlessly within me, sensing my growing irritation.
“It’s the twins’ birthday today. I need to be here,” I said firmly.
“Then I won’t go back to the hospital,” she pressed. “Cal, please let me come in to celebrate with the boys. I’ve been there for their last two birthdays p>
I refused without hesitation. Every time Clara and Evelyn were in the same space, things turned ugly.
Clara wouldn’t give up, “Cal, Rhys really likes me. He’ll be happier if I’m there. Why don’t you let me in so I can ask him? Maybe he’s been waiting for me p>
While I was considering how to respond, Clara rushed to the gate.
Evelyn’s security guards stood firm like stone walls, pushing Clara back.
“Without Ms. Blackwell’s permission, you cannot enter p>
Clara’s tears started flowing again, her eyes full of rejection and pain.
“Cal, I just want to celebrate the children’s birthday. Why won’t she let me do even that? What did I do wrong? I used to think of her as a friend, and even now, I want to fix things between us, but she… she p>
“I’ll tell you why,” Evelyn’s voice came from behind me.
She wore a white silk satin dress, her hair in casual waves, pearl earrings accentuating her already fair, smooth skin. She exuded an aura of elegance and nobility that commanded attention.
“Clara, I will pursue legal action against you for poisoning my son,” Evelyn stated calmly. “Not even their father can protect you from the consequences of that p>
Clara’s pupils contracted in fear, all color draining from her face.
“I don’t know what you’re talking about,” she stammered. “I treat Rowan and Rhys as my own. How could I possibly poison them p>
“Save those words for the Alpha Council investigators,” Evelyn replied with chilling composure.
Evelyn’s calm demeanor seemed to feed Clara’s growing terror. She clearly wasn’t sure if Evelyn actually had evidence or was merely bluffing.
“Evelyn, why are you so determined to target me?” Clara’s voice cracked. “It was the same three years ago, and it’s the same now. What have I done to deserve this treatment p>
“Whether it’s my fault or not, I’ll take the blame, alright? I’ll kneel before you—will you please spare my family p>
True to her word, Clara actually knelt before Evelyn.
Yet her gaze remained fixed on me, tears silently streaming down her face. I hesitated, wondering if I should help Clara, but the evidence of her crimes that Evelyn had sent me was sitting in my inbox. And my Beta Zeon was still investigating the truth.
Evelyn stood inside the gate watching this performance with a mocking smile. “Clara, I won’t spare you whether you kneel or kowtow p>
She stated bluntly in my presence, “From the moment you decided to poison my son, you should have been prepared for my revenge p>
“Clara, never provoke a mother p>
With those words, Evelyn turned to walk back toward the backyard without even glancing at me. As she passed, I instinctively caught her wrist.
I saw Clara’s eyes flash with hope when she noticed my hesitation.
“Cal, I—” Clara began, but suddenly crumpled to the ground.
For added drama, she let her face hit the pavement, deliberately scraping it enough to bleed. The injury looked convincingly real.