Rise of the Banished She-Wolf (Evelyn) novel Chapter 131

Chapter 131

758

Evelyn

I was yanked from the depths of sleep by an insistent buzzing. My eyes fluttered open, the sunlight streaming through unfamiliar curtains momentarily disorienting me. The persistent vibration continued, and I realized it was my phone dancing across the nightstand.

I blinked, taking in my surroundings. This wasn’t my room. The king–sized bed with its dark sheets, the minimalist furniture, the subtle scent of pine and musk–this was Devon’s bedroom. Memories of last night flooded back: the searing pain in my shoulder, Devon carrying me to his room, the herbal remedy

easing my suffering…

The phone buzzed again. I winced as I reached for it, my shoulder wound still tender but not as agonizing as before. I glanced at the screen–it was already past noon, and Aiden had called multiple times.

“Hello?” I answered groggily.

“Evelyn? You there?” Aiden’s voice came through, laced with concern. “I’ve been calling for ten minutes. Thought you might’ve passed out again.”

“I’m fine,” I mumbled, pushing myself into a sitting position. “Just overslept. I’m at Devon’s place–in his room, actually.” The realization made my cheeks

warm.

“Well, I’ve got news about the Gray Group shareholder meeting,” Aiden said, his tone shifting to business–like efficiency. “Jonathan tried to rally the shareholders to remove you, but it backfired spectacularly. I followed your instructions and bought up shares when Gray stock took a nosedive. Jonathan’s holdings are now under ten percent.”

A satisfied smile spread across my face. “Perfect. So my plan worked.”

*Like a charm. The board’s in panic mode. Nobody wants to be associated with the ‘disgraced‘ Jonathan Gray.” Aiden chuckled. “And there’s more—I’ve prepared all the documentation. The FBI will be picking up Jonathan tomorrow to investigate commercial fraud. The evidence is airtight.”

‘Good. My voice hardened. After everything my father had done–selling me to Viper, letting me be tortured and trained as a killer, then pretending I didn’t

exist–this was the least he deserved.

“Oh, and Edward’s been on a rampage in Europe,” Aiden added casually, as though discussing the weather. “The term ‘scorched earth comes to mind. He’s hunting down everyone connected to what happened to you.”

My stomach knotted. “Aiden, tell him to stop. I appreciate his loyalty, but he can’t expose himself because of me. Those people aren’t worth it.”

‘You know Edward,” Aiden replied with a sigh. “He’s not exactly someone I can easily convince.”

‘I’ll call him myself then,‘ I said firmly. ‘He needs to understand that revenge isn’t worth risking exposure of our kind.”

I had barely hung up when my phone buzzed again. Kate’s name flashed on the screen, sending a surge of irritation through me. With a deep breath, I

answered.

“What do you want, Kate?‘

“Evelyn! How’s your injury?” Kate’s voice dripped with fake concern. “I heard you were hurt in that awful explosion. So terrible.”

‘Cut the crap, Kate. What do you really want?”

1/3

18:03 Wed, Dec 24 RM

Chapter 131

058

There was a brief pause before Kate’s tone shifted, becoming crisp and business–like. I’m calling about the Computer Security Competition. As president of the Computer Club, you’ve been nominated to represent us.”

1 frowned. And you’re telling me this because…?”

*Just making sure you’ll participate,” Kate replied sweetly. “It would be such a shame if you couldn’t compete because of your… condition.”

The subtle challenge in Kate’s voice was unmistakable. Despite everything–the revelations about her parentage, the public humiliation–Kate was still

playing games.

I’ll be there, I said firmly. “Is that all?”

*For now. See you at the competition, ‘sister“. Kate ended the call with a click.

I set my phone down, my mind racing. Kate’s sudden interest in the competition was suspicious. Was this another trap? Probably. But I was done running

from Kate’s schemes.

Kate

I ended the call, a satisfied smile spreading across my face. The moment I stepped through the front door of my home, however, my smile faltered. Loud

voices echoed from the living room–an argument in full swing.

“That was Liam’s share! How dare you sell it? And to Evelyn’s people, of all people! My father’s voice boomed. ‘I’m left with barely ten percent of Gray Enterprises. How am I supposed to maintain my position with that?”

A sharp slap rang out, followed by Audrey’s pained gasp.

“Money is what matters now!” Audrey shot back, her voice trembling with anger. “The stock was plummeting. If I’d waited any longer, those shares would

have been worthless!”

I crept closer, peering into the living room. Father stood over Audrey, his eyes flashing golden in the moonlight streaming through the windows, the beginnings of a shift threatening to break through his human form.

‘Father,‘ I called out, stepping into the room. His head snapped toward me, his features contorting as he fought to control his wolf.

Audrey rushed to my side, tears streaming down her face. “He hit me, she sobbed, clinging to my arm. “Your father hit me because I sold those useless

shares.”

I disentangled myself from Audrey’s grip, eyeing her warily. Since learning that she was my biological mother, I had maintained my distance, unsure how to process the deception that had defined my life.

“The shares weren’t useless,” Jonathan growled. “They were our last leverage in the company. And now they’re gone, in Evelyn’s hands.`

My jaw tightened. “Evelyn again,” I muttered. Even in her absence, my sister dominated our family’s attention.

A bitter thought crossed my mind: Why had Evelyn received shares, and even Liam gotten some, while I got nothing? Ethan had practically controlled the company. Yet I, who had done everything to please my parents, had been overlooked.

As Jonathan and Audrey resumed their argument, I retreated to my thoughts. Perhaps it was time to reconsider my strategy. Fighting Evelyn directly had

only led to humiliation. Maybe there were other ways to reclaim what should have been mine all along.

Comments