CHAPTER 304: CHAPTER 304 HELD BY FRIENDSHIP

Ava’s POV

My hands were shaking as I held the card, anger making my whole body tremble. I couldn’t stand that disgusting man.

Rose happened to be passing by my desk. She was the company’s cleaning lady, but had worked at Storm Valley Pack and Thorne Enterprises for many years. She was a kind old woman who was good to everyone and especially skilled at making calming tea.

I called out to her.

"Rose, please throw these flowers away," I said, my voice trembling.

She looked at me confused.

"Ava, what’s wrong with you? Turning down flowers? That’s not like you." Kyle was about to leave the office when she witnessed my request. She was a very perceptive and observant woman.

"I don’t care who sent them, Kyle," I said without thinking.

"Wait, who did send them? I know it definitely wasn’t Joseph. If he sent flowers, they’d be those cheesy red roses." Kyle frowned and walked over.

"No, not Joseph," I answered simply, but the card was right there on the desk, and Kyle was quicker than me, snatching it up.

After reading it, her face turned ugly. "Is that creepy old bastard stalking you, Ava?" Kyle asked seriously.

"He’s just a disgusting asshole, Kyle," I said through gritted teeth.

"I completely agree," Rose said seriously, having also seen the card. "I’ll get rid of this nasty thing right away."

Rose had just picked up the flowers to leave when my phone rang. I didn’t recognize the number, but I was shaking so badly I could barely hold the phone, so I put it on speaker.

"Good afternoon, Ava! This is Alpha Steward." I took a deep breath, feeling my stomach churn.

"How did you get my phone number?" I asked, feeling Kyle and Rose’s eyes focused on me.

"Darling, I have many friends!" Alpha Steward replied smugly.

"Don’t call me darling. In fact, don’t call me at all." I was about to hang up, but what he said next left me stunned.

"Oh, don’t be so cold! Since my son dumped you, you should try a more experienced man."

I was completely shocked. Kyle grabbed the phone directly from the desk.

"Listen up, Alpha Steward, I’m Kyle, you know damn well who I am, so don’t play dumb. Stay away from Ava! Otherwise I’ll make sure your good times are over for good. I have that power, and you know it." Kyle threatened the person on the other end, then hung up harshly, looking at me seriously. "Ava, we’re going to the break room for a proper chat. This isn’t a request."

Damn! How was I supposed to explain this to her? I got up and followed Kyle, Rose following us too, handing the orchids to a passing colleague to throw away.

"I’m joining this conversation too," Rose said, pouring each of us a cup of her special calming tea.

"First, Ava, tell me what the hell happened between you and Joseph," Kyle asked straight to the point.

I couldn’t hold it together anymore and started crying, all the tension and overwhelming sadness I’d been holding in all day bursting out. Then I told her everything about Joseph from the past few days, including the scene where I caught him with another woman, and finally begged Kyle not to tell anyone.

"What a goddamn mess!" Kyle sighed. "The worst part is, I’ve become the keeper of all the girls’ secrets. Caroline’s pregnancy can’t be known by anyone, and now there’s this Joseph bullshit." Kyle shook her head, looking at me. "How long has that old pervert been chasing you?"

From the first time I met Joseph’s father, I told Kyle everything, including all the disgusting incidents at the club.

"I’m really scared of him, Kyle. He makes me sick," I concluded.

"Of course you should be scared. That guy is total scum! He’s way worse than anyone here could imagine." Kyle said, as if she knew some inside information but didn’t want to reveal it. "Does Joseph know his old man has been harassing you?"

"Kyle, Joseph has no idea his father has been harassing me." I explained the whole situation and why I didn’t want to make things more complicated. "Please, since we’ve already broken up, he doesn’t need to know any of this."

Kyle snorted. "Ava, I won’t tell anyone. But Alpha Steward is a total creep with zero morals. If it weren’t for Luna Hedi, Joseph’s mother, he never could have inherited his position in Nightbane Pack. If Alpha Steward contacts you again, you have to tell me immediately."

I nodded.

Kyle continued, "I really do have ways to completely destroy him, but out of respect for Flora, I haven’t made a move yet. She loves that bastard father of hers too much."

"But you still won’t tell me what this is really about," I concluded.

"Some things are better left unknown, friend!" Kyle sighed, taking my hand. "But let me give you some advice, don’t hide your troubles from friends. You don’t need to bear all this alone, and it won’t be a burden to anyone."

"Thanks, Kyle. But let’s just handle it this way for now."

After work, Antonio came to find me for coffee. Even though Joseph and I had broken up, I figured since Antonio still considered me a friend.

Having coffee with Antonio felt great, he always managed to make me laugh. But he wanted to know what had happened. He said his mom was pissed at Joseph because former Beta Elton’s daughter Sophia had come to her, claiming she and Joseph were in a serious relationship and that she was going to become the pack’s Luna.

I didn’t know what to say, so I simply told him that Joseph and I had broken up. But Antonio wouldn’t let it go.

"Ava, tell me the truth, trust me!"

I told him the whole story.

"What? How was she there? She’s always been all over my uncle..."

"She was only wearing his shirt, Antonio," I cut the boy off, getting straight to the point.

"What a fucking asshole!" Antonio cursed.

"Watch your language, young man!" I warned, but he just laughed.

"Ava, how are you doing?"

"Terrible. I’m heartbroken and feel like the stupidest woman in the world. But Antonio, don’t tell anyone about this. Alpha Draven is dealing with some serious shit right now, and I don’t want our friends worrying about your uncle’s mess." I insisted.

"Yeah, I know about Alpha Draven’s situation," Antonio shook his head. "But what’s up with these guys who can’t keep it in their pants?" Antonio said indignantly, which made me burst out laughing.

"Learn from this, don’t be stupid like them!" I said, laughing.

"I definitely won’t. But Ava, I have to tell my mom. She’s furious with my uncle, especially after hearing all that crap from that spoiled brat Sophia."

"Fine," I sighed. "Just make sure she doesn’t tell anyone else."

Having coffee with him was really nice. When we said goodbye, he promised me that I’d always be his friend and that we’d still hang out often. That really comforted me.