bChapter /bb146/bb: /bbConfrontations /bband /bbRevtions /b

bChapter /bb146/bb: /bbConfrontations /bband /bRevtions

b(/bElena ckwood’s POV)

bElder /bMargaret ckwood and Alexander ckwood had barrived /bin Riverside bCity /band checked binto /bbthe /bMoonstone Manor for the nanomedicine project. When Marcus band /bI arrived, we found Professor Andrew Kelly’s research team discussing with Margaret in the spacious private dining chamber.

The chamber was elegantly appointed with crystal chandeliers casting warm light over polished mahogany

furniture. Several researchers sat around the oval table, their papers and tablets scattered across bthe /b

surface.

Upon seeing us approach, Margaret greeted us warmly. “Elena, Marcusb, /byou’re here.”

I politely greeted both elders, maintaining my role as a ckwood family Luna until the mate bond severance

papers were signed. “Good evening, Elder Margaret, Alexander.”

Alexander nodded curtly, his expression as stern as always. The tension between him and Marcus was

palpable even in this formal setting.

Margaret gestured toward the distinguished gentleman beside her. “Elena, I’d like you to meet Professor Andrew Kelly.”

Professor Kelly rose from his chair, his eyes lighting up with recognition. “I have a deep impression of her, and

Hater learned she was Professor Theodore Ashworth’s former student. I’m truly ashamed.”

His genuine admiration caught me off guard. The respect in his voice was unmistakable.

“Professor Kelly has been telling us about his research team,” Margaret continued. “Including a student

named Sophie who submitted an impressive thesis.”

My eyes flickered as I looked at him. The name wasn’t coincidental.

Professor Kelly’s expression grew pled. “She’s not really my student. I was impressed by her thesis, but

her character seems questionable, which I find regrettable.”

I couldn’t resist the opportunity. “You mean Sophia Rivers‘ thesis on neural stem cell transntation? Quite

advanced even by today’s standards.”

Margaret’s eyes widened in shock. “The student is Sophia?”

I nced meaningfully at Marcus. “Marcus knows about this since Sophia publicly admitted it herself.”

Marcus’s expression darkened imperceptibly. His jaw tightened as he realized what I was doing.

Continuing my calcted performance, I raised my voice with false enthusiasm. “Sophia is truly a genius

healer. She would have unlimited prospects as Professor Kelly’s student.”

bI /bturned to Margaret with a bright smile. “She would be a valuable addition to the nanomedicine project, don’t

byou /bthinkb?/bb” /b

Marcus understood I was speaking sarcastically but didn’t expose me. His golden eyes watched me with a mixture of wariness and resignation.

Chapter 146: Confrontatio

bMargaret /basked bincredulously/bb, /bb“/bbAre /bbyou /bbserious /bbabout /bbthis /bbrmendation/bb?/bb” /b

b“/bbAbsolutely/bb,/bb” /bbI /bbconfirmed /bbwithout hesitation/b. “bHer /bbinnovative /bresearch bapproach /bwould bbenefit /beveryone

binvolved/bb./bb” /b

bProfessor /bbKelly/b, bmissing /bbthe /bsubtext bentirely/bb, /bbnodded /bthoughtfully. “You’re right. bSophia /bwould bindeed /bbbe /bbhelpful /bbto /bour projectb./bb” /b

I raised my moonlight wine ss in a toast. b“/bbTo /bbrilliant bcoborations/b.b” /b

A sh of coldness passed through my eyes that no one noticed. The wine tasted bitter on my btongue/b.

Midway through bthe /bmeal, I excused myself. “Please excuse me for a moment.”

The corridor outside was dimly lit, shadows dancing on the walls. At the corner, someone grabbed my arm. cornerb, /bsomeone grabbed my arm.

I stumbled into a familiar embrace before I could react. Without looking up, I recognized Marcus’s bscent /bimmediately through our mate bond.

His voice was hoarse when he spoke. “Were those words you said in the private chamber true or false?”

I retorted sharply, “I’m

speaking well of your former lover. Aren’t you happy?”

Marcus pressed me against the wall, his hands gripping my shoulders. “Elena, she and I are ancient history. You don’t need to keep reminding me.”

Mypliance seemed to frustrate him more than resistance would have. His eyes showedplex

emotions–hidden longing mixed with dimming hope.

It was an expression of dejection I had never seen before. For a moment, he looked almost vulnerable.

更

“You always have an answer for everything,” he said quietly. “But I can never reach you.”

I remained silent, un to give him thefort he seemed to seek.

In the washroom, I was touching up my lipstick when an elegantly wore a ckce–trimmed beret and carefully applied makeup.

pressed middle–aged she–wolf entered. She

Her features were refined but seemed artificially adjusted, appearing somewhat stiff. Something about her eyes gave me a familiar feeling.

When she smiled at me, I politely returned the gesture. “Good evening

with

As she passed by, herrge diamond ring identally caught my hair. Sharp pain shot through my scalp.

“I’m so sorry!” she cried frantically. “My mate always says I’m clumsy and cause trouble for everyone.”

Despite my reassurances, she continued crying. Tears streamed down her cheeks, smudging her makeup.

“It’s perfectly fine,” I assured her. “No harm done.”

She fumbled in her purse and pulled out a business card. “I do medical aesthetics work. Please, take this as

an apology.”

The card read “Luna’s Beauty Haven” with Director Hazel Green’s name embossed in gold lettering.

When I returned to the private chamber, Marcus hadn’te back yet. The dinner continued without him, conversation flowing around his empty chair.

The meal ended at eight o’clock. As everyone stepped outside, we encountered the aftermath of a heavy rain.

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Chapter 146 Confrontatio

bThe /bwet bpavement /breflected neon blights /blike bscattered jewels/b. I bfelt /bdizzy bfrom /bbthe /bbmoonlight /bbwine /bband /bbwind/b.

bMargaret /bbnoticed /bbmy /bbunsteady /bgait. “bAre /bbyou /bdrunkb, /bbdear/bb?/bb” /b

b“/bbNo/b, I’m bfine/b,” bI /bbdenied/bb, /bbthough /bthe world seemed bto /bbtilt /bbslightly/b.

bMargaret /bbsuspected /bbit /bwas because of Marcus’s absence. “Men band /btheir pack business,” she muttered bdisapprovingly/b.

bMarcus’s /bShadow Moon Alpha’s Phantom Rolls–Royce pulled up to bthe /bbcurb/b. He bstepped /bout with ban /bumbre, his movements fluid despite the urgency.

Alexander scolded him immediately. “Where were you? Leaving dinner without exnation is binexcusable/b.”

“Pack business,” Marcus replied simply. He naturally put his arm around my shoulders as we walked toward

the car.

The umbre shielded us from the lingering drizzle. His warmth was bothforting and confusing.

During the drive home, nausea built in my stomach. The car’s motion made everything worse.

“Stop the car,” I said urgently.

Marcus immediately pulled over. I stumbled to some bushes and vomited up my dinner.

He brought me water and gently patted my back. “Don’t drink so much if you can’t handle moonlight wine.”

His concern triggered an emotional outburst I couldn’t contain. I pushed his hand away violently.

“You care about me now?” I cried. “When I used to drink until I was sick, when I was suffering, did you ever

care?”

Marcus went very still. “Elena-b” /b

M

“You’re lying!” I used him angrily. “You only had eyes for that mother–son pair and never saw me!”

The words poured out like poison I’d been holding inside for years. My voice cracked with pain and fury.

“I was dying inside, and you never noticed. Never cared. Never saw me at all!”

bH /b

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