Second Chance His Unending Love (Calista Hartwell) novel Chapter 142

Chapter 142

Calista’s expression immediately tightened with concern.

This was precisely what had been weighing on her mind. as well.

She could never bear the thought of Evander facing disciplinary action-not for her sake, and certainly not for Olivia’s.

Evander placed both hands on her shoulders, his touch steady and grounding.

“Don’t worry. Everything’s been handled properly,” he said, his voice firm and reassuring.

Byron let out a dismissive snort. “And if it hasn’t? What then?”

Calista bit her lip, guilt washing over her.

Yeah, he was right-what if something did go wrong?

What if this became a mark against Evander’s record, $91gething used against his career later on?

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She said softly, “Sir Hayes, please don’t blame him. It was because of me-”

“Calista, I’m not blaming him. And I’m certainly not blaming you.”

With an easy wave of his hand, his tone almost breezy, Byron began. “If you ask me, acting for you and Olivia was the right call. What I meant was if there are consequences, he’d better shoulder them himself and n drag you into it. Understood?”

A heavy silence settled over Calista.

He really knew how to make someone feel worse.

From beside her, there came a simple, quiet nod. “Of course,” Evander replied.

Byron observed them both-Calista’s visible worry, his son’s quiet sense of responsibility-and gave a subtle, satisfied nod. Mission accomplished, without fanfare.

Then, in a tone that was almost too casual, he added, “Besides, if anything does come up, the Hayes family has

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your back. Yoniccould always leave the military and take over the family business. Heaven knows I could use the help around here.

Truth be told, both Byron and Kristen wouldn’t mind

seeing Evander retiree from service and settle into the roles

of heir.

A man who belongedwilly to the nation had little time left for family-and that wasn’t fair to Calista, not when

marriage and a household awaited.

Evander answered with awaggue, “Right, right. Got i

On the sofa, Wesley had seenright through Byron’s little performance. He kept his monthshut, only rolling his eves slightly before turning hissatttention back to the (ongoing match on screen.

Evander gently guided Calista tosittbeside him.

Without a word, he reached for theebowl of mixed nuts on

the table and began patiently shellingttiem, one by one, placing each neatly into her palin.

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Inside the arena, the competition was underway.

AApart from judges, referees, and essential staff, everyone eelse had been ushered into the lounge area.

KKillian and Stephanie settled into a quiet corner booth./

With a light tap on the table, Killian signaled Nicole, who inmmediately understood-she poured coffee for both of theen before speaking up.

“Killian, I’ll just step out to make a call.”

Once outside the lounge, Nicole pulled out her pho

The contract she’d been relying on hadn’t replied to her earlier meessages.

Now, theeaall wouldn’t go through at all.

After severahfafailed attempts, she gave up and headed back.

On her returnsbbe nearly collided with Samuel-the influencer-bloggerrwwbold been circling the event-just as

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he was coming out of the restroom.

He stopped her with a pointed look. “Ms. Anderson, didn’t you promise Sir Winchester would be here today? Where is he?”

“Oh, Tylan assured me he personally confirmed his attendance. You can relax.”

Tylan Summers was Nicole’s go-to contact in PR, the one who’d connected her with Samuel in the first place.

“I’ve already hyped this up with my chess followers. I promised them an exclusive with Sir Winchester. You gave me your word-don’t tell me you’re backing out now,” Samuel said, a hint of irritation in his voice.

Samuel had agreed to help stir up publicity partly for the exposure, but mainly because Nicole had dangled two prizes in front of him: an exclusive interview with Wesley, and another with the tournament’s champion- presumably Austin.

Nicole, in turn, wanted Samuel’s reach and influence to help reshape Austin’s image into that of a “brilliant,

reserved chess prodigy.”

I

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“If you don’t trust me, trust the Frost name. This is hardly beyond our reach,” Nicole replied smoothly.

Samuel seemed to weigh that for a moment. “Fine. I’ll trust Mr. Frost, then.”

“Good. Now, since I can’t reach Tylan at the moment, why don’t we look for Sir Winchester ourselves? He might already be here, watching from one of the private lounges.”

“Fair enough.”

The two set off together, scanning the more secluded

seating areas.

Before long, their search paid off.

In one of the smaller lounges, Samuel caught sight of Wesley and nearly rushed in then and there.

Nicole reacted faster-she grabbed the back of his collar and yanked him out of view.

She didn’t recognize Wesley, but she certainly recognized

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Calista and that prettyfaced man beside her.

Through the slightly oppen door, Nicole watched them- the easy intimacy between the two was unmistakable.

The man carefully sheeedd nuts and placed them in Calista’s hand, then shceed fritit into neat pieces, feeding

her one with a fork.

Every gesture spoke of atteetitive, effortless care, while Calista accepted it all with a reclaxed grace.

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