bChapter /bb165/bb: /bbShocked to /bbSee /bHer bStill /bAlive

Chapter 165: Shocked to See Her Still Alive

(Elena ckwood’s POV)

ex

I hesitated when Adrian suggested meeting our father immediately. The thought of facing Samuel Whitmore

felt overwhelming after everything that had happened.

“I don’t think I’m ready for this,” I admitted quietly.

Adrian took my hand gently. “He’s been carrying so much guilt about the past misunderstandings. Ever since

discovering you’re his daughter, he’s desperate to make amends.”

His voice was soft with understanding. “He’s so remorseful he can’t even face our mother right now.”

I looked into Adrian’s earnest eyes. After a few seconds of internal struggle, I nodded slowly.

“Alright, I’ll meet him.”

Adrian brought me to the Crimson River Tavern, an outdoor restaurant by the river near the vi. Few pack

members were dining at this quiet location.

Samuel Whitmore was discussing the menu with a server when we arrived. Upon seeing us approach, he looked toward me with visible emotion filling his eyes.

I struggled to find the right way to address him. The words caught in my throat.

Samuel seemed to understand my difficulty. “You can call me whatever feelsfortable. I won’t force you

before you’re ready to ept me.”

“Uncle Samuel,” I said finally.

He smiled warmly. “That’s perfect.”

During our meal, Samuel was exceptionally considerate. He encouraged me to order freely and not be polite

with him.

“Please, don’t hold back. Order whatever you’d like,” he insisted.

The atmosphere remained harmonious and warm throughout our dining experience.

(God’s POV)

Meanwhile, Marcus was rushed to the intensive healing ward at Shadowmere Private Healing Sanctuary due to severe chest pain. Margaret ckwood had called in a senior specialist for urgent consultation.

The entire ckwood family waited anxiously in the healing corridor. Their faces were etched with worry and fear.

The specialist finally emerged from the examination room. His expression was grave as he approached the family.

“bI /bhave concerning news,” he announced solemnly. “There’s a tiny silver fragment lodged deep inside Alpha Marcus’s lung, which blocked his healing power.”

Victoria ckwood turned pale with shock. “Silver fragment? How is bthat /bpossible?”

Chapter 165. Shocked to S

“This bis /bcausing a bdeep/b–seated silver infection,” the doctor continued. “If left untreatedb, /bbit /bbcould /bbhave /bbhad /b

serious consequences.”

Victoria couldn’t believe her son could have such a diagnosis. Her hands trembled as she bprocessed /bbthe /b

information.

“However, we caught it early,” the specialist reassured them. “With proper care and treatment, he should recover fully.”

After the specialist left, Alexander ckwood stayed to care for Marcus. Victoria apanied Margaret

home, both women exhausted from the ordeal.

Back at the ckwood Ancestral Manor, Sebastian ckwood and Diana ckwood were just leaving to

visit Marcus. They encountered the returning she–wolves in the foyer.

Victoria coldly questioned their timing. “If your concern was genuine, wouldn’t you have gone to the healing

facility immediately?”

Margaret, exhausted and suffering from a severe headache, cut short the brewing argument. “Enough. I need

to rest.”

She retreated to her chambers, leaving the others in tense silence.

Once alone, Diana saw opportunity in Marcus’s serious condition. She turned to her mate with calcting

eyes.

“We should ce our own people in key positions at the ckwood Consortium while Marcus is

incapacitated,” she suggested quietly.

Sebastian fell into contemtive silence at this suggestion. The wheels of ambition began turning in his

mind.

(Elena ckwood’s POV)

After dinner, I asked about my adoptive mother’s condition. Both father and son assured me it wasn’t serious.

“It’s just an old ailment,” Samuel exined. “asional fainting spells during emotional moments, but nothing physically dangerous.”

Adrian nodded in agreement. “The doctors have confirmed it’s not life–threatening.”

They invited me to return with them to see her. I readily epted their invitation.

Upon returning to the Whitmore Family Vi, Sandy Parker hurried downstairs to greet us as usual. She called out cheerfully to “Dad” and “Brother.”

However, when she saw me emerge from behind Adrian, her face turned deathly pale with shock.

“You… aren’t you already-” she stammered, unable toplete her sentence.

I raised an eyebrow at her strange/reaction. “Already what?”

Sandy quickly tried to cover her slip. “I heard about a car ident and was relieved to bsee /byou unharmedb./b”

Her voice was shaky and unconvincing.

I responded with pointed sarcasm. “Were you hoping I would be hurt?”

Sandy looked away guiltily, unable to meet my eyes. She remained speechless at my direct question.

Chapter 165. Shocked to S…

Adrian observed this exchange with particr interest. His eyes narrowed with growing suspicion.

Samuel announced he had something serious to tell Sandy. But before he could speak, she suddenly dropped

to her knees before him.

“I already guessed I’m not your biological daughter,” she confessed desperately.

Tears streamed down her face as she continued. “My real parents treated me poorly, constantly berating me for being a weak omega girl. They called me worthless.”

She painted a tragic picture of her supposed past. “I was initially happy thinking I was your daughter, but gradually realized the truth when I noticed I didn’t resemble you physically.”

Sandy tearfully begged to remain with them temporarily. “If I return to my birth family, they’ll iforce /iime /iinto a mating arrangement with an older male for money.”

She sobbed while bowing repeatedly. “I’m only twenty years old, I don’t want to be mated! Please let ime /istay until I can find work and support myself.”

Samuel felt sympathy, perhaps thinking of his own daughter’s potential sufferings over the years. He helped Sandy to her feet gently.

“I apologize for the confusion,” he said kindly. “You can keep the clothes and jewelry I gave you.” However, he hesitated about letting her continue living with them. He looked to me for guidance. Sandy tensed, certain that I would demand her removal. Her body went rigid with anticipation. To everyone’s surprise, including Adrian’s, I calmly agreed. “She can stay if she wishes.”

i(/iSandy’s POV)

Samuel, respecting his daughter’s decision, formally granted permission. “You may remain temporarily.”

I expressed grateful thanks while secretly smirking with satisfaction. Wealthy pack members were so easy to deceive! I congratted myself on my excellent acting skills.

However, my relief was mixed with concern about Elena’s survival. I realized I needed to contact Sophia Rivers immediately to devise a new n.