Rise of the Banished She-Wolf (Evelyn) novel Chapter 212

Chapter 212

Evelyn

ASU

I slowly awoke in a soft bed, sunlight streaming through the curtains onto my face. Last night’s passionate encounter with Devon under the full moon still tingled through my body, giving me a satisfaction I’d never experienced before.

Looking around, I realized I was back in my bedroom at the island villa, wearing clean pajamas. Devon must have carried me back after I fell asleep. The thought sent a wave of warmth through my chest.

After a quick shower and changing into comfortable clothes, I headed downstairs. Low, serious voices drifted up from below, and the atmosphere felt unusually tense.

When I descended the stairs, I found everyone gathered around the dining table, a laptop open in front of them. Devon, Aiden, Lily, and Aileen all wore serious expressions as they discussed something important.

“Good morning,” I said, walking toward them. “What are you all looking at? It seems serious.”

They all looked up at my voice, their expressions awkward and hesitant.

“Evelyn, you’re awake,” Devon stood and walked over to me. “How are you feeling?”

“I’m fine,” I replied, studying their faces and feeling a sense of foreboding creep up my spine. “But I feel like something big is happening.

What’s going on?”

“Nothing major,” Lily said with a forced smile. “Just… just handling some work stuff.”

“Yeah, work stuff,” Aileen echoed, but her eyes shifted nervously.

Aiden and Devon exchanged a look, seemingly debating whether to tell me the truth.

“You’re hiding something.” I walked directly to the laptop. “Let me see.”

“Evelyn, maybe you should have some breakfast first…” Devon tried to stop me.

But I had already seen what was on the screen.

The laptop displayed several security camera feeds, which I immediately recognized as the internal monitoring system from the mousÁSE One of the feeds clearly showed my study, where a figure wearing a mask was rummaging through my files and equipment…

Though the person was trying to conceal their identity, the slight limp in their walk immediately gave them away.

“Ryan,” I said quietly, with no surprise in my voice.

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Chapter 212

Evelyn, we know this is hard to accept… Devon moved beside me, ready to comfort me.

“What is he doing in my study? I continued staring at the screen, watching as Ryan skillfully operated my computer, apparently copying

files.

‘It looks like he’s stealing your research data, Aiden said grimly. “When we discovered this, we immediately contacted you, but we were

worried you might…”

“Breakdown? Get angry?” I turned to look at them, a cold smile playing on my lips.

“Actually, I’ve suspected Ryan for a while now,” I said calmly, which stunned everyone.

“What?” Lily’s eyes widened. “You knew?”

“Not knew, suspected,” I sat down in a chair. “I started suspecting him when he repeatedly demanded money from me for the Sterling

mansion’s renovation costs.”

Devon frowned. “Then why didn’t you say anything?”

“Because I needed proof,” I looked at Ryan on the screen. And I wanted to know what he was really after. So I deliberately cleared everyone out of the mansion, waiting for him to make his move.”

Aiden nodded approvingly. “So this was your trap?”

“More or less,” I stood up, determination flashing in my eyes. “It’s time to go back and confront him.”

Hours later, we were already sitting in the car heading to the airport.

“Evelyn, are you sure you’re ready to face all of this?” he asked softly. “I’m worried it might hurt you,”

I turned to look at him, his concern washing away my hidden anxiety like warm sunlight. “Devon, this journey has made both me and my wolf stronger. I’m not that fragile girl who needed to hide anymore.”

I know you’re strong, but…”

“And,” I cut him off, placing my hand over his, “I know that no matter what happens, you’ll always protect me, love me. With that certainty, I’m not afraid of anything.”

Devon’s eyes flashed with emotion, and he lifted my hand to his lips for a gentle kiss. ‘Always, my love.”

As our plane took off, Devon gazed out at the clouds below, thoughtfully saying, “I wonder about Lydia. When she finds out what her son Ryan has done, will she break down?”

1 considered this for a moment. “I believe she’s stronger than that. Besides, truth is always better than lies. She deserves to know at her

2/4

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Chapter 212

son really is.”

“How do you plan to handle this?”

“First, I need to ensure Lydia’s safety,” my voice grew firm. ‘Whatever Ryan’s objective is, I won’t let innezent people your

Devon nodded. “And what about Ryan?”

I looked down at my hands, feeling the white wolf’s power flowing through me. The full moon experience hadn’t just despread my hand with Devon; it had made my wolf nature stronger.

“My wolf is full of power now,” I raised my head, determination gleaming in my eyes. “I’m going to make everyone who hurt the pay Whether it’s Ryan or anyone else, I won’t run away anymore.”

Devon squeezed my hand tightly. “I’ll always stand by your side, Evelyn. Whatever decision you make, I support you.”

“I know,” I leaned against his shoulder. “This time, we face it together.”

Just as our plane was about to land in Seattle, my phone rang. Seeing Ryan’s name on the caller ID, Devon and I exchanged a glance.

“Answer it,” Devon encouraged. “Let’s see what he has to say.”

I accepted the call, and Ryan’s anxious voice immediately came through: “Evelyn! Where are you? Something terrible has happened”

“What is it?” I feigned ignorance.

“The police came to the mansion looking for me, saying I stole something from you, and they want to take me in! Ryan’s voice sounded injured and indignant. “This is absurd! I was just helping you clean and tidy up your rooms. How could that be stealing?”

“Cleaning rooms?” I let out a cold laugh. “In my study?”

“Yes, I saw your study was a bit messy, so I thought I’d help organize it…” Ryan continued weaving his lies.

Stop pretending, Ryan,” my voice suddenly turned ice–cold. “I know everything you’ve done!*

The line went silent for a few seconds, then the call disconnected…

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Rise of the Banished She Wolf