Chapter 125

Grayson’s POV

“No.”

That single, two-letter word erased the smug smile from Evelyn’s face. Her lips parted slightly, and her perfectly arched brows furrowed. “No?” she repeated, her voice soft but incredulous, as if she couldn't believe what she'd heard.

“Adding selective hearing to your list of problems?” I asked, my tone dry. I didn’t wait for her response. “I’ve warned you once, Evelyn, and I suggest you heed it. There won’t be another warning if you cross me again. Now, leave.”

For a moment, she stood there blinking, as if processing the command. Then her composure snapped back into place. Her chin lifted, and the fire in her eyes reignited. “You met me here, Grayson. This isn’t a place for people like you, and if anyone should leave, it’s you.”

A dark smile touched my lips as I gestured toward the security staff near the entrance. “Actually,” I began, savoring the moment, “I now own this restaurant. That means I decide who stays and who goes. Leave cordially, or they will escort you out.”

Her head snapped around to look at the two men approaching. She gasped, turning back to me, her face a mask of disbelief. “How did you—? When did you buy—? You don’t even—”

One of the security men reached out to take her arm, but she yanked it back violently. “Do not touch me,” she hissed, venom dripping from her words.

Her gaze swung back to me, filled with pure contempt. “This isn’t over, Grayson,” she spat, grabbing her things and storming toward the exit.

I watched her leave, every eye in the room following her dramatic departure. A faint flicker of satisfaction ran through me. If there was one thing every Pierce despised more than anything, it was public humiliation. That’s exactly why I had purchased this pretentious little restaurant—to show her that I could strip away her power, piece by piece, anytime I wanted.

But as the high of the moment faded, a wave of irritation crashed over me. The paperwork, the meetings, the inevitable headache of managing yet another restaurant—all of it would now be my problem. And for what? A fleeting victory over Evelyn Pierce?

No, something else gnawed at me, something far more aggravating. Her words lingered in my mind like an echo. Evelyn knew about the curse. Not just its existence, but details—too many details. From the expression on her face, even if she hadn’t directly demanded Ava’s return, I would never have said yes. I’d rather rip out my own heart than bend to her will.

I pulled out my phone and dialed Maria. She answered on the first ring. “If I had found anything tangible, you’d have already heard from me,” she said before I could speak.

“I’m aware,” I replied, my voice low. “I need you to dig deeper. Look into the history of the Pierces—specifically their historical connection to magic. I think they’re connected to the curse somehow.”

“You believe Ava’s family is responsible?” Maria asked, skepticism evident in her tone.

“No,” I said, pacing to the far end of the restaurant. “But I think they’re tied to it. Maybe we’ve been searching in the wrong direction.”

There was a pause. Then she sighed. “Alright. I’ll see what I can uncover. I’ll reach out to my people and handle it discreetly.”

“Good,” I said, nodding though she couldn’t see me. “Let me know the moment you find anything.”

I ended the call and was about to dial Carter when a man approached. He was impeccably dressed, not a single crease out of place in his tailored suit. His polished shoes clicked softly against the floor as he extended a hand. His smile was wide, too wide, and it didn’t reach his eyes.

“Mr. Blackwood,” he began, his tone oily. “It’s a pleasure to meet you. I’m Andrew Waters, the manager here. I was informed of the change in ownership, and—”

I glanced at his outstretched hand but didn’t take it. Instead, I met his gaze with icy disinterest. “You’re here to make sure you’ll still be running things around here?”

His hand dropped awkwardly, and he wiped it against his suit. “I—uh—Mr. Blackwood—”

“Unless I ask you a question,” I cut in, “do not speak.”

His mouth snapped shut.

“Tell me,” I continued, sweeping my gaze over the restaurant. “How often does Evelyn Pierce come here?”

“Quite often,” he said quickly.

“So one could say it’s one of her favorite places.” I didn’t wait for him to answer. “Why do you think that is?” I added, then immediately shook my head. “Never mind. Don’t answer that. Instead, look around and tell me the first word that comes to mind. You have one second.”

His eyes darted around the room, and he blurted out, “Fake.”

“Good,” I said with a nod. “You see, Andrew, I like to make statements. Every move I make has to leave an impact. Left to me, I’d shut this place down entirely to make sure Evelyn never steps foot in it again. I’d strip away the one thing she loves most: control. And yes, everyone here, including you, would lose their jobs because, you see, I’m not a good person, and I’ve never pretended to be.”

Andrew’s lips parted slightly, as if unsure how to respond.

I continued, “However, like all great villains in a story, I’ve met someone who makes me want to be better. A woman who wouldn’t approve of me putting everyone out of work just to make a point. So here’s what we’re going to do, Andrew.” I leaned in slightly, emphasizing his name, making him flinch.

“You’re going to make modifications to the theme of this restaurant. Big ones. You have two weeks. And when I bring my wife here, I want to see that beautiful smile of hers light up the room because she likes what you’ve done. Do I make myself clear?”

His head bobbed up and down, his eyes wide.

“Good,” I said, stepping back. “And a word of advice—loosen that tie. It looks like it’s strangling you. This was a lovely chat, don’t you think?”

He nodded again, and I turned and walked away. Eyes followed me as I exited the restaurant, but I ignored them. Soon, this place would be unrecognizable, and the satisfaction of knowing I had taken something precious from Evelyn would be enough.

(The following seems to be a separate scene, possibly the beginning of Chapter 126 or a continuation of the chapter immediately following the previous scene):

Chapter 125 (Continued) or Chapter 126

Outside, I scrolled through my phone to dial Carter, but his call came through first. I answered immediately. “Are you having someone watch me?” I asked. “I was just about to call you.”

Carter’s usual drawl was absent, replaced by a tone that sent a ripple of unease through me. “You have a problem,” he said bluntly. “I didn’t catch it sooner because I wasn’t looking, and I don’t usually involve myself in werewolf politics, but word is spreading in Ricardo’s pack. They think you’re responsible for his death.”

I exhaled sharply, irritation prickling at my nerves. “I’m aware of the rumors. Someone is trying to dethrone me, killing Alphas, and making it look like I’m behind it. I’ll deal with anyone foolish enough to believe the lies and come after me.”

Carter’s voice dropped lower, colder. “You might want to rethink that confidence. Ricardo’s pack isn’t just spreading rumors; they’re preparing for war. Word is, they’re planning something big. They’ve declared you a threat to every pack in the region. And Grayson… they’re not planning to come at you alone.”

(The final lines appear to be unrelated and possibly remnants from a different section.)