strongemChapter 168: Marcus ckwood Goes Abroad to Recover /em/strong

strongemChapter 168: Marcus ckwood Goes Abroad to Recover /em/strong

strongem(God’s POV) /em/strong

strongemThe scandal of Isabe ckwood catching Elena and Hugo Ashworth “in the act” on the street was posted online by pack members. As public opinion fermented, most werewolves who had previously witnessed the ckwood family drama now stood firmly behind Elena. /em/strong

strongemComments flooded in: “How dare this cousin criticize the Luna? I remember when Alpha Marcus’s affair with /em/strong

strongemhis first love drove away his own mate!” /em/strong

strongem“Exactly, does the pack have no memory?” another user replied. /em/strong

strongem“Wasn’t Alpha Marcus’s Luna that other she-wolf before? When did he switch?” The sarcastic tone of the /em/strong

strongemments was unmistakable. /em/strong

strongemAt the ckwood Ancestral Manor, Victoria ckwood’s face darkened as she read these discussions /em/strong

strongemonline. She turned her anger toward Diana ckwood. /em/strong

strongem“I told you to control your daughter. Look what she’s done!” Victoria’s voice shook with fury. /em/strong

strongemDiana casually brushed her sleeves with an indifferent attitude. “Victoria, I can’t control my daughter well, but /em/strong

strongemyou haven’t managed Elena either.” /em/strong

strongemHer tone grew bolder. “Besides, the affair between your son and Sophia Rivers was the truth anyway.” /em/strong

strongemThis was the first time Diana had ever spoken to Victoria in such a tone. Previously, she would at most pretend not to see or hear, but never directly confront her like this. /em/strong

strongemVictoria stood up angrily. “Say that again!” /em/strong

strongemJust then, Margaret ckwood entered the Great Hall with Grace Burton. Hearing themotion, her /em/strong

strongemexpression immediately soured. /em/strong

strongemVictoria quickly exined. “Isabe leaked Elena and Marcus’s affairs to the public, creating a trending topic that made the ckwood family aughingstock.” /em/strong

strongemMargaret’s expression remained calm. “Since they were all family members fighting over trivial matters, the /em/strong

strongemembarrassment had already spread, so why worry about others’ opinions now?” /em/strong

strongemBoth Victoria and Diana fell silent. Margaret walked to the sofa and sat down, dismissing everyone except /em/strong

strongemVictoria. /em/strong

strongemAfter Diana left, Victoriained about her. Margaret interrupted, pointing out that this wasn’t the time /em/strong

strongemfor internal conflicts. /em/strong

strongem“I’ve always appreciated you as the eldest daughter-inw,” Margaret said firmly. “With Marcus hospitalized, you’re the only one I can trust to hold the family together.” /em/strong

strongemHer voice carried warning. “Any conflict with Diana would only bring chaos to the ckwood household.” /em/strong

strongemVictoria immediately understood the implications. Sebastian ckwoodcked outstanding abilities and had married the scheming Diana, who would certainly not remain content with the status quo. /em/strong

strongemDiana’s ambitions had been exposed when she helped her daughter drug Adrian Whitmore. With only the ckwood family members knowing about Marcus’s lung condition, if Diana were pushed too far and allied with outsiders, the family would never have peace again. /em/strong

strongemVictoria realized that Margaret had seen through Diana long ago. “I apologize for my impulsiveness.” /em/strong

strongemMargaret instructed her carefully. “Keep a close watch on the ckwood Consortium during Marcus’s hospitalization and prepare contingency ns when necessary.” /em/strong

strongemHer voice dropped lower. “Also keep his illness strictly confidential.” /em/strong

strongemThat afternoon, Elena and Hugo Ashworth returned to their hotel from outside. They encountered Jacob Hayes and Whitmore Pack Guards in the lobby. /em/strong

strongemJacob rushed forward anxiously, relieved to see Elena finally return. Then he noticed Hugo and asked if the trending topic rumors were true. /em/strong

strongemElena felt confused by the trending topic. She looked over the werewolf online forums and her attention was fixed on the final trending topic: “Shadow Moon Alpha Goes Abroad to Recover.” /em/strong

strongemHugo calmly exined to Jacob. “We’re staying at the same hotel but not in the same room. Does the Whitmore family also believe rumors?” /em/strong

strongemJacob sighed, expressing concern. “Even if we believe you, the media’s ability to fabricate stories is formidable. If you’re photographed togetherter, it would be impossible to clear your names.” /em/strong

strongemHe muttered quietly. “Even if Hugo wanted to pursue our youngdy, he should wait until after her mate bond was severed.” /em/strong

strongemHugo nced at Elena, who was focused on reading the trending topics and hadn’t heard Jacob’sment. His lips curved slightly as he agreed with Jacob’s point. /em/strong

strongemJacob realized with shock that Hugo truly had intentions toward Elena. /em/strong