Kevin stood in the shadows, his eyes fixed on the dance floor where Calvin and Christina were enjoying a quiet moment together. The sight of their happiness, especially Calvin's, gnawed at him. Alana had once told him she loved him and had left Calvin for him, but now it seemed everything was turning upside down. She had walked away with Beatrice and Giana, yet Kevin couldn't shake the feeling of betrayal as he watched Calvin.Kevin clenched his fists, his jaw tightening with barely suppressed rage. This couldn’t go on. He had to do something to put Calvin in his place, to make him pay for this humiliation. He turned to his father, Lionel, who was standing nearby, sipping a glass of champagne with a smug expression on his face.“Dad,” Kevin hissed, his voice low and urgent. “I can’t stand this anymore. We need to do something to utterly humiliate Calvin. I can't watch Alana's infatuation with him.”Lionel raised an eyebrow, his interest piqued. “And what exactly do you have in mind, K
Calvin took a deep breath, his gaze steady as he faced the agitated woman. "I am more than willing to accompany you to your home and attend to your child personally," he said, his voice calm and sincere. "Let me prove to you that I can help."The woman’s eyes flashed with anger and distrust. "No! I don't want to see you ever again. I don't want a fraud like you near my child. I'd rather find a real doctor, someone who actually graduated from medical school."Her words stung, but Calvin remained composed. "I understand your concern. My only intention is to help."But the woman had already turned away, her resolve unshaken. She hurriedly exited the gala, her footsteps echoing in the hushed hall as she left to seek proper medical attention for her child.The murmur of whispers grew louder among the guests. Faces turned toward Calvin, eyes filled with doubt and suspicion. The elegant ambiance of the gala was now tainted with unease and mistrust."Did you hear that? Calvin Hudson must be a
Calvin drove through the quiet streets, the city's nightlife buzzing around them in stark contrast to the turmoil they had just experienced. The car ride was mostly silent, both of them lost in their thoughts, the weight of the evening's events heavy on their minds.When they arrived at Christina's apartment, Calvin parked the car and walked her to the door. The building was bathed in the soft glow of streetlights, casting long shadows that danced in the gentle breeze. As Christina reached for her keys, she turned to Calvin, concern evident in her eyes."Are you really okay, Calvin?" she asked softly, her voice filled with genuine worry.Calvin managed a small, reassuring smile. "Yes, Christina. I'm okay. Tonight was...challenging, but I'll get through it. Thank you for being there with me. I don't know what I would have done without your support."Christina shook her head slightly, dismissing his gratitude. "No problem, Calvin. You don't have to thank me. I'm glad I could be there fo
Calvin carefully carried Lizzie up the stairs, his heart heavy with worry. The dimly lit hallway seemed longer than usual, every shadow and creak amplifying his anxiety. He nudged open the door to her room with his shoulder, stepping inside as softly as he could. The room was a serene sanctuary, filled with pastel colors and soft, comforting textures. He gently laid her down on her bed, her limp form almost weightless in his arms. The familiar scent of lavender from her pillow mixed with the faint hint of vanilla from the candles she always lit.Tucking her under the covers, Calvin took a deep breath, trying to steady his nerves. The sight of her lying there, so vulnerable and still, made his chest tighten with a mix of protectiveness and fear. He reached into his pocket and pulled out the pendant, its cold, unremarkable surface belying the strange power it had exhibited earlier. The room’s soft light did nothing to reveal its secrets; the stone remained inert, the glow gone as if it
The next morning, Calvin woke up early, feeling the weight of the pendant in his pocket. He wasn't expecting to find Lizzie already awake and seemingly searching for something. The living room was bathed in the soft light of dawn, and Lizzie moved around with a mix of determination and frustration etched on her face.Pretending not to know, he asked, "Morning, Lizzie. What are you looking for?"Lizzie turned to him, her eyes clouded with worry. "Calvin, have you seen my necklace? I remember wearing it until last night, but when I woke up this morning, it was gone. It must have fallen off somewhere around the house."Calvin forced a look of surprise. "I haven't seen it, Lizzie. Maybe it fell off in the living room or your room. Did you check the couch cushions or under the bed?"Lizzie sighed deeply, running a hand through her hair. "I did, but it's nowhere to be found. I'm really worried about it. That necklace meant a lot to me."Calvin took a deep breath, deciding to steer the conve
Miranda looked thoughtful as she sipped her coffee, her eyes distant as she recalled the stories her mother used to tell. "During the time the pendant was with me, I never experienced anything unusual. But my mother did say it was a family heirloom, passed down through generations."Calvin leaned in, his curiosity piqued. "Did she ever mention anything specific about its powers? Anything that might explain what happened to Lizzie last night?"Miranda nodded slowly, as if piecing together fragments of long-forgotten memories. "Yes, she did. According to my mother, the pendant was said to possess unique abilities. It was believed to have protective properties, but also... other powers that were more mysterious. She mentioned that in ancient times, the pendant was thought to grant its wearer the ability to see beyond the ordinary, to perceive things hidden from normal sight."Calvin's mind raced as he processed this information. "Did your mother ever describe any specific incidents or ex
Calvin stepped out of the house and got into his car, his mind racing. He couldn't simply wait for Miranda Dew to find her mother's notes; he had to take action. He decided to head to the city library, knowing it housed extensive records on Hudden's history and ancient literature from Barrion, Han Xin, and other countries. Ancient literature was often hard to find online, and he hoped the library might hold some clues.Upon arriving at the library, Calvin made his way to the section dedicated to Barrion literature. He knew Miranda Dew originated from Barrion, like himself, so it seemed logical to start there. He began searching for books on ancient artifacts from Barrion, pulling several thick volumes from the shelves. Barrion was a vast country with many cities, but Calvin had only lived in Bacca, the capital, before the war with Han Xin forced him to leave. He suspected Miranda Dew also hailed from Bacca, so he focused on artifacts specific to the capital city.Calvin pored over the
As they sat at the table, immersed in their research, the soft sound of footsteps approached. James Dew, Miranda's husband, entered the room with a warm smile, his demeanor exuding a quiet confidence and calmness that immediately lightened the tense atmosphere."Calvin, good to see you again," James greeted, his voice carrying a comforting tone that made Calvin feel instantly welcome.Calvin looked up, offering a grateful nod. "Good to see you too, James. Thanks for having me over."Miranda looked up at her husband and began to explain, her voice carrying a mix of urgency and excitement. "Calvin found something at the city library. It might be a lead on the pendant."Calvin nodded, eagerly holding up his notes for James to see. "There's a mention of a legendary artifact called the Emerald of Elys, and it seems to match the description of the pendant. We're trying to piece together more information about its origins and potential powers."James sighed, rubbing his temples as he absorbe