Chapter 211: Hating to See Him in Pain

    Chapter 211: Hating to See Him in Pain

    (God’s POV)

    Sophia brought the documents to the database and handed them to the manager. The sterile

    fluorescent lights cast harsh shadows across the filing room as she approached the

    reception desk.

    The manager looked up from hisputer screen, his brow furrowing in confusion. “Isn’t this supposed to be delivered by Research Technician Irene?”

    Sophia maintained herposed expression, though her heart raced beneath the surface.

    “Research Technician Irene had other urgent matters to attend to. He asked me to deliver

    these on his behalf.”

    The manager nodded slowly, epting the exnation without further question. He

    stamped the documents with practiced efficiency.

    “Is Professor Andrew Kelly avable today?” Sophia inquired casually, her fingers drumming

    against the counter.

    “Professor Kelly left for a conference yesterday,” the manager replied. “He won’t be back for a

    couple of days.”

    Perfect. Sophia’s lips curved into a satisfied smile. The timing couldn’t have been better for

    her ns.

    She nced around the busy database office, watching staff members hurrying between filing cabs andputer terminals. A cold smile yed on her lips as she observed their

    oblivious dedication ito /itheir work.

    None of them suspected what she had just aplished. The copied research data was

    already safely in her possession.

    With deliberate calm, she turned and left the database, her footsteps echoing down the

    empty corridor.

    (Elena ckwood’s POV)

    At the Northern Territory Central Healing Institute, I finished aplex cardiovascr surgery and stepped into the corridor. The familiar antiseptic smell filled my nostrils as I

    :.

     Chapter 211: Hating to See Him in Pain

    pulled off my surgical gloves.

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    The patient’s family waited anxiously near the recovery ward entrance. Their faces were

    etched with worry and hope.

    “The surgery was sessful,” I informed them, watching relief flood their expressions. “Your

    father will need to remain under observation for the next forty–eight hours.”

    The eldest son stepped forward, his voice thick with gratitude. “Thank you, Healer Elena. We

    can’t express how grateful we are.”

    I provided detailed post–operative care instructions, ensuring they understood the importance

    of following the recovery protocol. After they left to see their father, I finally had a moment to

    check my phone.

    A message from Research Technician Irene appeared on my screen. I frowned as I read his

    brief note about the database delivery.

    I returned to my healing chamber, my mind preupied with the research data. As I passed

    Hugo Ashworth’s office, voices drifted through the partially open door.

    “No matter what, Elena is still a member of the ckwood family,” a woman’s voice said

    sharply. “You wouldn’t really fall for a mated she–wolf, would you?”

    I froze mid–step, recognizing the authoritative tone. Evelyn Ashworth’s voice carried the

    unmistakable edge of maternal disapproval.

    My heart hammered against my ribs as I pressed closer to the door. I knew I shouldn’t eavesdrop, but I couldn’t force myself to move away.

    Hugo’s voice responded with quiet firmness. “I don’t need the Ashworth family’s approval for my personal feelings, Mother.”

    “The Ashworth family iwon’t /iinterfere with your choices,” Evelyn retorted, her tone growing colder. “But Elena is off–limits. She’s been mated and is now connected to the ckwood

    family.”

    There was a pause before she continued, her voice dropping to a more serious register. “You iknow /ithe history between your father and Marcus ckwood’s mother. We cannot afford any

    My breath caught in my throat. What history? What connection existed between the

    Ashworth and ckwood families that I didn’t know about?

     Chapter 211: Hating to See Him in Pain

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    Hugo’s chair creaked as he shifted. “That’s ancient history, Mother. It has nothing to do with the present situation.”

    “Everything has to do with the present,” Evelyn snapped. “The ckwood family destroyed enough lives in the past. I won’t watch them destroy yours too.”

    “I’m busy, Mother,” Hugo said curtly. “This conversation is over.”

    I heard footsteps approaching the door and quickly stepped back. My mind reeled with the implications of what I had just heard.

    Did Hugo really have feelings for me? Or was his mother simply being overly cautious about

    a professional rtionship?

    The door handle turned, and I hurried away before Evelyn could emerge. My thoughts churned

    as I made my way back to my chamber.

    (Sophia Rivers’s POV)

    Meanwhile, at the Crimson Moonrise Hotel, I stepped out of the elevator onto the rooftop

    level. A foreign bodyguard with cold eyes escorted me toward the pool area.

    The entire rooftop had been cleared of other guests. Felix Xavier’s men stood at strategic positions around the perimeter, their predatory gazes following my every movement.

    Many of them were rogues, I realized with a chill. Their wild, untamed auras made my skin

    crawl with remembered fear.

    The bodyguard stopped at the pool’s edge. “Boss, she’s here.”

    Felix Xavier emerged from the water like some ancient sea predator. Water cascaded down

    his muscled torso, revealing the intricate sun tattoo that covered most of his chest.

    His dark eyes fixed ion /ime with the same calcting intensity I remembered from our

    previous encounters. “Sophia.”

    I approached the poolside with measured steps, my hand clutching the copied research report. The paper felt like both salvation and damnation in my grasp.

    “I have what you requested,” I said, holding up the document.

    Felix extended his hand expectantly, but I pulled the report back before he could grasp it. His expression darkened immediately.

    “What game are you ying now?” he asked, his voice carrying a dangerous edge.

     Chapter 211: Hating to See Him in Pain

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    I took a deep breath, steeling myself for what I was about to propose. “I’ll give you this report, but only if you agree to eliminate Elena ckwood.”

    Felix’s eyebrows rose in surprise. He repeated the name slowly, as if tasting it. “Elena

    ckwood.”

    Recognition flickered in his eyes. “Marcus ckwood’s secretly mated Luna. Interesting.”

    He studied my face with renewed interest. “What’s your real motive here, Sophia? Are you

    trying to set a trap for me?”

    Before I could respond, his hand shot out and grabbed my throat. His fingers tightened

    around my windpipe with terrifying precision.

    “Are you nning to betray me again?” he hissed, his face inches from mine. “Just like you

    did before, after promising you’d never leave?”

    I wed at his hand, gasping for air. “No… I would never…”

    My vision began to blur as his grip tightened. Panic flooded my system as I struggled to

    breathe.

    “Please…” I wheezed, my voice barely audible.

    Felix released me suddenly, and I copsed to the ground beside the pool. I gasped desperately, my lungs burning as they filled with precious air.

    “I will never betray you again,” I pleaded, looking up at him through tears. “You have to believe

    me!”

    My ivoice /igrew stronger as resentment filled my chest. I raised my disabled right hand, the

    one Marcus ckwood had crushed during our confrontation.

    “Marcus ckwood ruined my hand,” I said, my voice filled with venom. “Now I want nothing

    more than to see him suffer!”

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