bChapter /bb177/b: bHe /bbWas /bbThinner /bbThan /bbBefore /b

Chapter 177: He Was Thinner Than Before

b(/bGod’s POV)

Diana ckwood could see her daughter’s worry, and slightlyposed herself, reaching out bto /bbcover /bbthe /bback of Isabe’s hand.

“Be, listen to me,” Diana said softly. “Elena is still your sister–inw as long as she remains mated bto /bMarcus.”

Isabe looked up with hollow eyes, her face still bearing traces ofst night’s humiliation.

Diana continued with calcted urgency. “You should take advantage of this situation to get bon /bElena’s good side. Now that she’s revealed as a Whitmore family daughter, her influence has grown tremendously.”

She squeezed Isabe’s hand tighter. “If you can repair your rtionship with her, bit /bcould benefit bour /bentire branch of the family.”

Isabe jerked her hand away, her patience finally snapping.

“Mother, are you out of your mind?” Isabe’s voice rose sharply. “Elena and I have a history of discord that goes back years!”

She stood abruptly, her chair scraping against the floor. “What’s the point of trying to appease her bnow/b? She knows exactly how I’ve treated her!”

Isabe’s eyes shed with bitter resentment. “You only think about yourself and our family’s position. You never consider how impossible this is!”

She turned toward the staircase, her voice cracking with frustration. “I’m not hungry anymore.”

Isabe stormed upstairs, skipping breakfast entirely. Her footsteps echoed through the manor like gunshots.

Diana, angered by her daughter’s attitude, mmed her chopsticks on the table. The porcin ttered violently against the wood surface.

(Sophia Rivers’s POV)

I discovered that Sandy Parker had been detained by pack enforcement. My hands trembled as read the news report on my phone.

The realization hit me like a physical iblow /i

My own involvement would likely be exposed soon.

I needed to escape the Northern Territory before Sandy revealed everything under interrogation. My survival instincts kicked in with desperate rity. darity

I quickly dialed Professor Andrew Kelly’s number, my heart pounding as the phone rang.

“Professor Kelly,” I said, trying to keep my voice steady. “I’d like to apply for an internship position in bother /bterritories.”

There was a pause on the other end. Professor Kelly was clearly puzzled by my bsudden /brequest.

“With your qualifications, it doesn’t seem like you need this spot,” he replied slowly. “bEspecially /bbsince /bI

Chapter 177. He Was Thin…

boriginally /bwanted byou /bbto /btake over a new programme.”

I bwas /btaken aback, but a glimmer of hope appeared in my eyes. bTaking /bover a new bprogramme /bbwould /bbmean /bbsignificant /bbcareer /badvancement.

I hesitated, torn between escaping the legal consequences and seizing this incredible bopportunity/b. bMy /bambition warred with my fear.

The silence stretched as I weighed my options. Running away would mean abandoning everything bI’d /bbworked /bfor.

But staying meant risking exposure and potential imprisonment. Yet the chance to lead a new bprogramme /bwas too valuable to abandon.

I made my decision with sudden rity. As long as Professor Kelly protected me and Sandy bcked /bbconcrete /bevidence, pack enforcement couldn’t touch me.

“I’m willing!” I said with renewed determination.

(Elena ckwood’s POV)

I received a text message from Elder Harrison. The message confirmed my suspicion perfectly.

Sophia would attempt to stay and fight rather than flee after Sandy’s downfall. I smiled grimly at my phone screen.

I was relieved that my gamble had paid off. Sophia was too ambitious to give up the opportunity to climb bthe /bsocialdder.

Her pride and greed would be her downfall. She couldn’t resist the bait of professional advancement.

I tucked my phone away and picked up the bag filled with coffee from the café counter. The warm cups providedfort against the morning chill.

As I walked down the street heading back to the hotel, I noticed a familiar vehicle parked nearby.

Marcus’s Shadow Moon Alpha’s Phantom Rolls–Royce sat gleaming under the morning sun. I recognized the license te immediately.

My steps faltered as memories of the previous night flooded back. The masked dance, the stolen kiss, his

familiar touch.

I attempted to turn away and take a different route, but a voice called out behind me.

“Luna.”

I stopped and took a deep breath, forcing myself to turn around. Amber Stone stood beside the car with her usual professional demeanor.

I forced a smile onto my face. “Long time no see, is there something you need?”

Amber indicated the car with a subtle gesture. “It’s not me who needs something, it’s Alpha Marcus.”

I expressed genuine surprise. “Wasn’t he abroad for treatment? He’s back so soon? Is he all bbetter/bb?/bb” /b

Amber’s expression remained carefully neutral. “I’m sorryb, /bthe Alpha’s condition is bnot /bto be bdisclosed/bb, /bbbut /bbthe /bbtrip /babroad has been postponed.”

bShe /bpaused before bcontinuing/b. “Alpha Marcus will indeed be going babroad /bbfor /bbtreatment /bin ba /bbwhile/bb, /b

Chapter 177: He Was Thin

My curiosity got the better of me. “What kind of treatment?”

Amber suggested diplomatically, “You can ask him yourself.”

After some hesitation and further gentle invitation from Amber, I approached the car. My heart hammered against my ribs with each step.

Inside the car, Marcus coughed into a handkerchief. The sound was harsh and concerning in the enclosed space.

Upon seeing me enter, he quickly removed the handkerchief and sat up straight. His attempt atposure was obvious but touching.

I was immediately struck by his appearance. Besides the still handsome and outstanding features, he was thinner than before, and hisplexion was not as good as before.

I had never seen Marcus so sickly. The strong Alpha I knew seemed diminished somehow.

“Wasn’t the surgery sessful?” I asked with genuine concern.

Marcus replied simply, “Yes, it was sessful.”

Then he added with a slightly hoarse voice, “You didn’t even greet me.”

Iughed dryly, trying to mask my worry. “You’re abroad for treatment, do you really need my greeting?”

Marcus looked at me intently and smiled faintly. “How do you know I don’t need it?”

I did not respond, unsure how to navigate this emotional minefield between us.

Marcus looked away and said seriously, “The person who answered the phone that day was my mother’s

niece.”