Chapter 166: She Ap

bChapter /bb166/bb: /bbShe /bbApanies /bbHugo /bbShopping /b

Chapter 166: She Apanies Hugo Shopping

b(/bElena ckwood’s POV)

Adrian and I entered the master suite where a pack servant informed us that Mother had fallen asleep bagain /bshortly after finishing her porridge. I approached the bed carefully and tucked the nket around Dorothea’s sleeping form.

Looking at her peaceful face, I realized with emotional rity that my biological mother had never abandoned me. The thought brought tears to my eyes as my nose tingled with overwhelming emotion.

Adrian instructed the servant quietly, “Elena is our true young miss.”

The servant nodded readily. “I understand, Young Master. To be honest, we never liked that Sandy Parker anyway.”

After the servant left, Adrian questioned me directly. “Why did you agree to let Sandy Parker stay?”

I exined my reasoning carefully. “Her surprised reaction upon seeing me seemed as if I shouldn’t have appeared at all. It made me suspicious about whether the car ident might be connected to her.”

“Though I’m uncertain, I decided to keep her close to test her,” I continued.

Adrian’s expression grew serious. “I’ll help you stay alert to any suspicious behavior.”

When I went downstairs, Sandy Parker was waiting at the staircase. She attempted to reconcile by approaching me with feigned humility.

“Elena, I apologize for my previous misunderstanding,” she said sweetly. “Please forgive me magnanimously.”

I looked at her directly and refused bluntly. “No.”

Sandy protested with wounded innocence. “But I already apologized!”

“Does an apology obligate me to ept it?” I questioned coldly.

As I walked away, Sandy muttered through gritted teeth, “Why won’t you just die…”

I heard thement clearly and turned back. “What did you say?”

Startled that I hadn’t actually left, Sandy feigned innocence. “I didn’t say anything.”

I probed further about her supposed background. “Did your parents truly abuse you as you imed?”

Sandy maintained her victim act desperately. “They always beat and scolded me.”

“Interesting,” I revealed. “I heard from your father that he demanded eight million from Alpha Marcus partly for your sake.”

Sandy vehemently denied this usation. “That’s not true! I demanded one hundred million bfrom /bmy tather for-b” /b

She caught herself mid–sentence, realizing her slip. “You’re trying to trap me into revealing binformation/bb!/b”

Returning to my hotel, I contacted Rachel Thompson to obtain Sandy Parker’s father’s bcontact /bbinformation /bfrom the healing institute’s patient records.

Chapter 166 She Ap

bDuring /bbour /bbconversation/bb, /bRachel mentioned something concerning. “I saw Sophia bRivers /bat the binstitute /bwith ba /bbMoonridge /bprofessor giving lectures at the neurosurgical department”

I suspected this was Professor Andrew Kelly. Sophia was thriving in academic circles using bthe /bresearch paper she had stolen ten years ago.

However, bI /bknew it wasn’t yet time to expose this theft. “Avoid confronting Sophia aloneb,/bb” /bI warned Rachel “Seek help from Dr. Barton Mitchell or Jane Ports if needed.”

Hugo Ashworth sent me a message asking if I would show him around the Northern Territory as a local courtesy since it was his first visit to the region. I agreed and prepared to meet him.

I led Hugo throughmercial buildings, exining our route. “I’m taking you on a shortcut to a nearby market specializing in antiques and cultural artifacts.”

“There’s also a traditional coffeehouse and market where we can experience authentic Northern Territory

culture,” I added.

Hugo asked teasingly, “Can you y chess?b” /b

I confirmed I had learned, prompting him to express interest. “I’d enjoy a match.”

At the cultural market, I browsed a cultural artifacts shop, looking for a suitable bracelet for my mentor. When I struggled to choose, I asked Hugo about Professor Theodore Ashworth’s preferences.

“My grandfather would be happy with anything you gave him,” he assured me.

The shop owner mistook us for a mated pair. “Shopping for an elderly rtive?”

Though I tried to rify we weren’t mates, Hugo interrupted by examining an old sandalwood bracelet. He demonstrated his expertise in evaluating its quality and age.

“This piece is authentic ancient vampire craftsmanship,” he observed knowledgeably.

After Hugo insisted on paying for the purchase despite my protests, we emerged from the shop. Isabe ckwood was blocking our path, her expression cold and calcting.