Chapter 110: Unexpected Encounters

Chapter 110b: /bUnexpected Encounters

(Elena ckwood’s POV)

I don’t know which Alpha got lucky, but why did they sever their matet filled with genuine surprise.

Joyce Harrison asked, her voice.

She quickly epted my situation, studying my face with maternal concern. “You’re so beautiful, radiant, fair–skinned, and well–behaved. You must be popr among the pack. You’ll never bck /bsuitors.”

Professor Theodore Ashworth interjected firmly. “It’s good they severed the bond. That Alpha clearly wasn’t worthy of Elena.”

Joyce nodded enthusiastically. “Many young werewolves break mate bonds nowadays. Elena deserves so much better than someone who would let her go.”

I smiled politely, continuing to eat while remaining silent. Their support warmed my heart, but I wasn’t ready to discuss the painful details of my failed mating.

After the meal, I walked alongside Joyce bas /bwe saw the couple off with Professor Theodore Ashworth. Dr. Hugo Ashworth trailed behind us, maintaining his usual distance.

Once they departed, Professor Theodore Ashworth turned to me. “Are you returning to the medical center?”

“Yes,” I replied.

“Hugo can give you ba /bride since you’re going the same way,” he suggested, gesturing toward his gra

grandson.

I recalled yesterday’s office incident and tried to decline gracefully. That’s not necessary. I can take a taxi.”

Dr. Hugo Ashworth surprised me by agreeing “A taxi would be fine.”

Professor Theodore Ashworth got into his car, and his driver departed, leaving Dr. Hugo Ashwort! standing alone on the sidewalk.

Dr. Hugo Ashworth walked to his car and drove it over to where I stood. Feeling obligated by his grandfather’s suggestion, I reluctantly sat in the passenger seat.

After I buckled my seatbelt, he warned me sternly. “Don’t touch anything in my car.”

I was taken aback by his bluntnessb. /bI raised my hands defensively. “I bhaven’t /btouched anything

“I’m just reminding you,” he replied curtly.

After a moment of ufortable silence, I tried to initiate conversation. “I hadn’t realized you were Professor Theodore Ashworth’s grandson.”

He simply hummed in response, his eyes fixed on the road ahead.

Not wanting to embarrass myself further, I stopped talking and stared out the window for the remainder of

the drive

We arrived at the medical center together, exiting the elevator on our respective floors without any exchange of words.

Dr. Jane Porter emerged from her patient rounds just as we separated. She witnessed the entire scene, clutching her medical records tightly.

Her face crumpled, and she ran off tearfully down the corridor.

I smiled wryly, realizing thad been misunderstood again. Theplications of workce rtionships were already beginning

(God’s POV)

Dr. Porter cried in the restroom,forted by two sympathetic nurses who had followed her.

“It might just be a coincidence,” one nurse suggested gently. Dr. Hugo Ashworth wouldn’t wait for Elena if he were that superficial. There are many beautiful she wolves in this medical center”

Dr. Porter wiped her tears with a tissue “Male werewolves like beautiful females. Elena is indeed pretty with such a good aura”

The nurses exchanged knowing nces. While the medical center had many attractive nurses, few were as unforgettable and stunning as Elena.

Her arrival had caused quite a stir. Young male healers were already calling her the Northern Territory beauty who hadnded in surgery

People from other departments were constantly inquiring about her contact information

One nurse leaned closer, her voice dropping to a whisper. “Maybe we should give her a hard time.”

The other agreed eagerly. “We could ostracize her since she’s new. Make her feel unwee.”

Dr. Porter hesitated but didn’t refuse their suggestion.

(Elena’s POV)

Later that afternoon, I had missed the cafeteria’s ordering time due to my patient rounds. I went to the

healer’s station to ask where they usually ced their takeout orders.

However, the two nurses turned their backs to me, pretending not to hear my question.

I smiled helplessly at their obvious snub. I decided to ask Dr. Edmond Fisher binstead/b.

door.

As I passed Dr. Hugo Ashworth’s office, I overheard a familiar voice through the partially open do

Nathan Sterling was asking Dr. Hugo Ashworth for advice, “How do you think I should save my rtionship

with her?”

Dr. Hugo Ashworth continued reading his book on ancient healing techniques. “Why are you asking me?!

never pay attention to such matters.”

Nathan’s voice carried genuine concern. “I usually don’t worry about she–wolves, but I feel guilty toward her.”

Dr. Hugo Ashworth looked up, intrigued. “Who is she?”

“Her name is Elena ckwood, Nathan replied.

Dr. Hugo Ashworth paused, his grip tightening on his book. He quickly recovered, his expression thoughtful.

I stood outside the door, choosing not to knock. My mind raced with confusion and conflicting emotions.

Nathan had lied to me about many things. But he had also helped my mother and me when we were

desperately in heed.

I felt we were even now. I had repaid his kindness. Why would he feel guilty toward me?

Later, Nathan exited Dr. Huge Ashworth’s office. Dr. Hugo Ashworth escorted him to the door

“Please notify me if you have any news of her Nathan requested earnestly.

Dr. Hugo Ashworth nedded “will”

Nathan left, his shoulders heavy with unspoken burdens

Dr. Hugo Achworth watched him go, then nced meaningfully at the office next door where I worked

I decided to pretend never heard this conversation.

Back at the medical center, I was making instant coffee in the break room when Dr. Porter entered, locking

awkward and ufortable.

“Good evening, Dr. Porter 1 greeted her warmly.

She reluctantly returned my greeting, her voice barely above ba /bwhisper

I decided to extend an olive branch. “Would you like to join me for a meal this weekend?”

Dr. Porter stared at me incredulously. “Do you know that I dislike you?”

I smiled genuinely. “I know you like Dr. Hugo Ashworth, but I’m not interested inpeting with you.”

Her eyes widened in surprise.

“I’m still mated and haven’t even severed the bond yet,” I continued. “Could you lower your guard around me?”

Dr. Porter was shocked. “bYou’re /bmated?b” /b

“I was marked young and am now in the process of severing the mate bond,” I exined.

She wored aloud. “But if you sever the bond and be unmated, Dr. Hugo Ashworth might like

I countered firmly. That’s not my problem if he likes me. I don’t have to like him back.”

My voice grew stronger with conviction. “My mating was terrible. I’m not looking for another rtionship.”

“I believe there’s more to life than just mating and marking, I continued, my eyes brightening. “Being free, having money, going wherever I want, doing whatever I want – that’s much happier.”

My smile was bright and clear, filled with genuine aspirations for my future

Dr. Porter was taken aback by my enthusiasm. She realized she had been unfair in her judgment.

“You don’t seem as arrogant as the other nurses said,” she admitted. “Do you me me for my behavior?”

“What should I me you for?” I basked/bb, /bgenuinely puzzled.

She relented, her shoulders sagging. “It’s not entirely your fault. You’re so beautiful that even someone like Dr. bHugo /bAshworth would look at you twice. I saw you as a rival”

Her voice dropped with self–deprecation. “I know Dr. Hugo Ashworth doesn’t like me. I’m not that good–looking or outstanding.”

I ced my hand on her shoulder reassuringly. “Whypare yourself to others? You’re not bad either. You’re unique in this world.”

Dr. Porter lowered her eyes in the first time someone called me unique‘”

think you’re just not good at dressing up added gently

Exposed Dr. Porter was embarrassed. “I don’t know how to do makeup”

1 could give you a makeover sometime.” Loffered