Chapter 167: She’s betraying her mate bond!
Chapter 167: She’s betraying her mate bond!
(Elena Blackwood’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 blanket around Dorothea’s sleeping form.
Looking at her peaceful face, I realized with emotional clarity 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 honest, we never liked that Sandy Parker
anyway.”
After the servant left, Adrian questioned me directly. “Why did you agree to let Sandy Parker stay?”
I explained 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 accident 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. “I’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 accept it?” I questioned coldly.
As I walked away, Sandy muttered through gritted teeth, “Why won’t you just die…”
I heard the comment 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 claimed?”
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 accusation. “That’s not true! I demanded one hundred million from my father
for-”
She caught herself mid–sentence, realizing her slip. “You’re trying to trap me into revealing information!”
Returning to my hotel, I contacted Rachel Thompson to obtain Sandy Parker’s father’s contact information from the healing institute’s patient records.
Chapter 167 She’s betray
During our conversation, Rachel mentioned something concerning. “I saw Sophia Rivers at the institute with a 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 as a local courtesy since it was his first visit to the region. I agreed and prepared to meet him.
I led Hugo through commercial buildings, explaining our route. “I’m taking you on a shortcut to a nearby market specializing in antiques and cultural artifacts.”
“There’s also a traditional coffeehouse and market where we can experience authentic Northern Territory
culture,” I added.
Hugo asked teasingly, “Can you play 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 relative?”
Though I tried to clarify 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. Isabella Blackwood was blocking our path, her expression cold and calculating.
“Well, well,” Isabella sneered, her eyes flashing 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 Blackwood, I presume?” Isabella ignored him completely, 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 the commotion. Isabella’s accusation carried clearly through the shopping district.
“How shameless can you be?” Isabella continued her public attack. “Marcus nearly died protecting you, and this is how you repay him?”
I felt heat rise in my cheeks, but kept my voice steady. “My relationship with Marcus is none of your concern. “None of my concern?” Isabella laughed harshly. “He’s my cousin! His reputation affects our entire family!”
Chapter 167: She’s betray
Hugo stepped forward, his usually gentle demeanor hardening. “Miss Blackwood, you’re making a scene over
nothing.”
Isabella whirled on him with fury. “Nothing? She’s parading around with you while her mate lies dying!”
“Marcus isn’t dying,” I corrected firmly. “His condition is stable.”
“That’s not the point!” Isabella 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 make.” Isabella’s eyes narrowed dangerously. “And who are you to defend her? Another one of her admirers?”
“I’m her friend,” Hugo replied calmly. “Something you clearly are not.”
Isabella’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.”
Isabella smiled coldly. “We’ll see about that.”
She pushed past us roughly, her shoulder deliberately bumping into mine. “Enjoy your freedom while it lasts, Elena. It won’t be long before everyone sees your true nature.”
As Isabella disappeared into the crowd, Hugo placed 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 succeed.”
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. Isabella’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 Blackwood’s shameful behavior.
But I refused to let her manipulation control my actions. I had done nothing wrong by spending time with a
friend.
Still, as we emerged from the shop only to find Isabella Blackwood blocking our path, I couldn’t shake the feeling that this confrontation was just the beginning.
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