Chapter 31 Exposed Con

Chapter 31: Exposed Corruption

Chapter 31: Exposed Corruption

(Elena’s POV)

Heidi Cross was enjoying her power trip, paying no attention to Nathan’s words. At this moment, she crossed her arms smugly.

“Oh, getting angry out of embarrassment? I was just saying-”

Her words were cut short by William Cross, who covered her mouth with his hand. His face had gone pale as he recognized the gravity of their situation.

William Cross stepped forward, bowing deeply to Nathan Sterling. His voice trembled with nervous respect.

“Young Master Sterling, please forgive my mate’s inappropriate behavior. She doesn’t understand the proper

protocols.”

He shot a warning nce at Heidi, whose eyes widened with sudden realization. The Sterling family held

significant influence in Northern Territory circles.

Nathan’s expression remained cold and unforgiving. “Your mate pushed Elena deliberately. I expect a proper

apology.”

William frantically nudged Heidi, who reluctantly stepped forward. Her earlier arrogance hadpletely

evaporated.

“I… I apologize for pushing you,” she mumbled, avoiding eye contact with me.

Nathan’s voice carried quiet authority. “Leave now. Don’t let me see this kind of behavior again.”

The Cross couple hurried away, their staged dramapletely forgotten. The crowd began dispersing. disappointed by the anticlimactic ending.

I looked at Nathan with genuine concern. “Your arm is injured because of me. Let me take you for an

examination.”

Nathan shook his head, trying to downy the injury. “It’s nothing serious. Just a minor bump.”

“Please,” I insisted. “I need to make sure you’re not seriously hurt.”

He smiled despite the pain. “If it makes you feel better, then alright.”

At the Emergency Healing Bay, the examination revealed only superficial bruising. Nathan flexed his arm

experimentally.

“See? Just a bruise. You worry too much,” he said with a reassuring smile.

I felt guilty for involving him in my troubles. “I’m sorry you got hurt because of my situation.”

Nathan’s expression grew thoughtful. “I always seem to find you being bullied. Professor The

would be very worried if he knew.”

e Ashworth

My heart clenched at the mention of my former mentor. “Please don’t tell Professor Ashworth. I’m leaving in a little over a month anyway.“/

Chapter 31 Exposed Corr

Nathan nodded understandingly. “Where are you nning to go?”

Before I could answer, Marcus’s voice cut through our conversation. “Leaving? Where exactly are you nning to go?”

I turned to see Marcus standing in the doorway, his golden eyes fixed on me with dangerous intensity.

Nathan interjected with barely concealed sarcasm. “Shouldn’t you be with your chosen one? You did publicly acknowledge your rtionship earlier.”

Marcus remained unfazed by the pointed reminder. “You seem to have excellent timing for overhearing conversations, Young Master Sterling.”

The tension between the two men was palpable. Nathan stood up, his friendly demeanor disappearing.

“I should visit my rtives in the recovery ward,” Nathan said ito /ime. “Take care of yourself, Elena.”

As he walked past Marcus, his smilepletely vanished. The cold look he gave Marcus spoke volumes about his feelings.

I tried to leave as well, but Marcus blocked my path. His presence filled the small space with overwhelming

authority.

“Exin yourment to Nathan about leaving,” he demanded. “Are you nning to abandon your pack

duties with me?”

Anger red in my chest. “You’re beingpletely unreasonable. Don’t involve Nathan in our mate bond

issues.”

Marcus grabbed my wrist, his grip firm and possessive. “Repeat what you just said.”

I met his gaze defiantly. “Do my words make you ufortable? Considering your deep rtionship with

Sophia?”

His eyes darkened dangerously, but I didn’t wait for his response. I pulled free and walked away, ignoring

whatever expression crossed his face.

I entered the Steel Ascent, grateful for the brief respite from his overwhelming presence.

Upon reaching the first floor, I went directly to the Healer’s Station. I picked up the phone with determined

resolve.

“Northern Territory Council? I need to report corruption at the Central Healing Institute.”

I could no longer endure this situation. It was time to take decisive action.

Two dayster, rumors about my supposed involvement with William Cross werepletely dispelled.

Territorial enforcement officers had taken William Cross away for investigation.

The institute buzzed with shocked whispers about the corruption charges. My vindication felt bittersweet but

necessary.

In my healing chamber, I was exining surgical procedures to a patient with a brain tur

woman listened intently while her son took notes.

The elderly

“Please prepare for the healing session tomorrow morning,” I instructed. “The procedure will take several

hours.b” /b

Chapter 31 Exposed Cort

As the patient and her family left, Heidi Cross suddenly barged into my chamber. Her face was twisted bwith /brage and desperation.

Pack Nurse Rachel tried to stop her. “Mrs. Cross, you can’t just-

“Get out of my way!” Heidi screamed, pushing past Rachel.

She pointed an using finger at me. “You caused my mate’s arrest! How could you be so vindictiveb?/bb” /b

I maintained myposure, feigning innocence. “I don’t understand what you mean.”

Heidi’s face grew redder with fury. “Don’t y dumb! I know you reported him!”

She raised her hand as if to strike me, but security guards rushed in to restrain her.

Sophia arrived at that moment, quickly moving to pacify Heidi. “Please calm down. Violence won’t solve

anything.”

She turned to me with false concern. “Elena, you’re being too ruthless to a colleague.”

I responded coolly. “You didn’t consider me a colleague when you were ndering me.”

Sophia tried a different approach. “Perhaps if you hadn’t been involved with William Cross-“.

“Careful about nder,” I warned sharply. “William Cross is under investigation for bribery and embezzlement. I hope you haven’t been involved in his corrupt activities.”

Heidi’s face went white as the implications hit her. The severity of her mate’s situation was finally sinking in.

Sophia’sposure cracked slightly. She hadn’t expected me to know the specific charges.

“I suggest you both focus on extricating yourselves from this situation,” I continued calmly.

Sophia grabbed Heidi’s arm, pulling her toward the door. They left quickly, their earlier bravadopletely

gone.

(Sophia’s POV)

In the Institute Corridor, Heidi clutched my arm desperately. “Sophia, please help my mate keep his position.

We can’t survive without his ie.”

I silenced her with a sharp gesture. “Keep your voice down! Do you want everyone to hear?”

My mind raced with panic. If Heidi revealed our connection to William’s corruption, everything would unravel.

“I’ll help you,” I assured her, struggling to maintainposure. “But you must stay quiet about our

arrangement.”

Heidi nodded frantically, tears streaming down her face. I watched her leave, my frustration boiling over.

Elena had somehow turned the entire situation around. My carefully nned attack had backfired

spectacrly.

Even worse, Marcus had left my healing chamber immediately after publicly acknowledging our “rtionship.” He hadn’t spent any time with me.

He hadn’t visited Oliver and me at our residence since Oliver’s discharge. The distance between us felt wider