99 Times for Alpha’s Bestie novel Chapter 162

By withholding the video until this point, Lucien had already spared their public dignity.

One press of ‘play’ in front of a thousand guests at this event alone would ruin the entire Reese legacy.

Steven shot a venomous glare at his elderly mother sitting in the wheelchair before locking eyes with Lucien again; his heart must have been seething with poisonous hatred.

I knew the Thorne family had meddled in Stevens’ affairs a few times.

Alpha Emeric threatened to expose everything when they stole it all from my mother and me, but Steven was able to get the Council to pull Alpha Emeric back. Now, Lucien was doing the same thing.

The difference was that Alpha Emeric never had clear evidence. That was where Lucien excelled.

He came in prepared for war and was letting them all know it.

“That is an exaggeration, Alpha Thorne! We are, of course, grateful for your warning. I will root out those disloyal wretches immediately!”

Steven forcibly wrenched false sincerity into his voice.

“But my mother is weak and ailing. Now that she has seen Claire, surely she should return home to rest?” His gaze then slid back to me, and my face was swollen from tears as I clung to my grandmother.

Lucien’s gaze lingered on the embracing pair before settling on my trembling frame.

“That will not be necessary,” Lucien stated, “I have already arranged for the VIP Suite at the top medical facility. Your mother is obviously severely malnourished, dehydrated and abused. She is ill and has clearly gone far too long without proper medical care.”

“You can consider the bill waived. Consider it my gift to Claire.” He placed a grounding hand on my

shoulder. “However, during her treatment, Claire will be solely responsible for her grandmother’s care. I trust you have no objections? If so, I will be more than happy to consult this matter further with the

Council. This may be neutral territory, Mr. Reese, but this defenceless woman here is still part of the Wolfen community.”

Each syllable struck with the finality of a judge’s gavel.

I knew that the knowledge of those videos in Lucien’s possession strangled any protest from the family.

Steven’s face flushed from a sickly green to an ugly purplish-red.

“Alpha Thorne, your concern for my mother is most generous,” Steven spat bitterly through gritted teeth.

“The Reese family is deeply grateful. Since you have made such thorough arrangements, we will defer to your judgment. My mother shall be under Claire’s supervision and care.”

His tone suddenly shifted, his eyes glinting with calculation.

“But when I think on it further, I realize that Claire is just a young girl. Handling an aged patient alone would be too much for her. I will send her aunts to come and assist her tomorrow. Many hands make light

work. And, it has been too long since Claire has seen them. A family reunion would be nice.”

Assistance? Reunion? What utter nonsense.

“Right away, Alpha!” John moved swiftly, carefully assisting me with the wheelchair.

Two stone-faced Elite warriors travelling with Lucien, dressed in crisp black suits, flanked us like an impenetrable wall, blocking any Reese family member from getting close.

“Grandma, let’s go,” I said, my voice raw from sobbing.

I clutched my grandmother’s frail hand like it was my only lifeline, not even sparing a backward glance at my relatives.

Under the protection of the Thorne family, I strode decisively away from the heartless banquet hall.

Liyah hurried after us, staying close to my side, still reeling from the shock. She gave an impressed thumbs-up.

“Oh my goddess, Claire! I have never heard Alpha Lucien speak so much at once! That was absolutely legendary!” she babbled excitedly. “Your uncle was utterly demolished. He didn’t stand a chance! Claire, the lengths he has gone for you-This is in a league of its own!”

While Liyah chattered on, I appeared calm on the outside, but I was a tidal wave of emotions within.

Never in my wildest dreams had I imagined that Lucien had skipped the awards ceremony to retrieve my grandmother from the countryside secretly.

This bore no resemblance to his reputation as the so-called “King of Hell” image.

Underneath that cold façade, I recognized the chivalrous boy from my memory, the one who was painstakingly attentive to every detail. The thought sent a surge of warmth through me, tightening my throat with profound gratitude.

Without a backward glance, I steered my grandmother’s wheelchair toward the exit, desperate to reach the sanctuary of a hospital room where we could finally reunite properly.