bChapter /bb167/bb: /bShe’s bbetraying /bher mate bbond/b!

Chapter 167: She’s betraying her mate bond!

(Elena ckwood’s POV)

Adrian and I entered the master suite where a pack servant informed us that Mother had fallen asleep again shortly 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 honestb, /bwe 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. b“/bI’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 from my bfather /b

bfor-/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 /bbfrom /bthe healing institute’s patient brecords/b.

Chapter 167 She’s betray

During our conversation, Rachel mentioned something concerning. “I saw Sophia Rivers at bthe /bbinstitute /bbwith /ba Moonridge professor giving lectures at the neurosurgical department.”

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

However, I knew it wasn’t yet time to expose this theft. “Avoid confronting Sophia alone,” I 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 bas /ba 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.b” /b

“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?”

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 Ming Dynasty 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.

“Well, well,” Isabe sneered, her eyes shing with malicious satisfaction. “Look what we have here.”

She stepped closer, her voice dripping with false concern. “Elena, shouldn’t you be at your mate’s bedside? Marcus is lying in the healing sanctuary, fighting for his life.”

Hugo positioned himself slightly in front of me, his posture protective. “Miss ckwood, I presume?” Isabe ignored himpletely, focusing her venom on me. “Instead of caring for your injured mate, you’re here shopping with another male!”

Her voice rose dramatically. “She’s betraying her mate bond!”

Several pack members nearby turned to stare at themotion. Isabe’s usation carried clearly through the shopping district.

“How shameless can you be?” Isabe continued her public attack. “Marcus nearly died protecting youb, /bband /bthis is how you repay him?”

I felt heat rise in my cheeks, but kept my voice steady. “My rtionship with Marcus is none bof /bbyour /bbconcern/bb. /b“None of my bconcern/bb?/bb” /bIsabeughed harshly. “He’s my cousin! His reputation affects bour /bbentire /bbfamily/b!”

Chapter 167: She’s betray

bHugo /bbstepped /bforward, his usually gentle demeanor hardening. “Miss ckwood, you’re making a bscene /bbover /b

bnothing/bb./bb” /b

Isabe whirled on him with fury. “Nothing? She’s parading around with you while her mate lies bdying/bb!/bb” /b

“Marcus isn’t dying,” I corrected firmly. “His condition is stable.”

“That’s not the point!” Isabe shrieked. “You should be by his side, not gallivanting around town!”

The growing crowd of onlookers whispered among themselves. I could feel their judgmental stares burning

into me.

Hugo’s voice cut through the tension like ice. “Elena’s personal choices are her own to makeb./bb” /bIsabe’s eyes narrowed dangerously. “And who are you to defend her? Another one of her admirersb?” /b

“I’m her friend,” Hugo replied calmly. “Something you clearly are inot/i.”

Isabe’s face flushed red with rage. “Friend? Is that what they’re calling it now?”

She turned back to me with vicious satisfaction. “Wait until Marcus hears about this little shopping trip.”

“Tell him whatever you want,” I said quietly. “It changes nothing.”

Isabe smiled coldly. “We’ll see about that.”

She pushed past us roughly, her shoulder deliberately bumping into mine. “Enjoy your freedom while itsts, Elena. It won’t be long before everyone sees your true nature.”

As Isabe disappeared into the crowd, Hugo ced a gentle hand on my arm. “Are you alright?”

I nodded, though my hands were trembling slightly. “I’m fine.”

“She’s trying to provoke you,” Hugo observed. “Don’t let her seed.”

I took a deep breath, steadying myself. “I know. But her words still sting.”

Hugo’s expression softened with understanding. “The truth will speak for itself in time.”

We continued walking through the market, but the joy had gone out of our afternoon. Isabe’s poisonous words echoed in my mind.

I knew she would waste no time spreading her version of events throughout the pack. By evening, everyone would be talking about Elena ckwood’s shameful behavior.

But I refused to let her maniption control my actions. I had done nothing wrong by spending time with a

friend.

Still, as we emerged from the shop only to find Isabe ckwood blocking our path, I couldn’t shake the feeling that this confrontation was just the beginning.

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