bChapter /bb182/bb: /bbElena/bb, /bhe’s bbeing /bmean bto /bbme/b~

bChapter /b182: Elena, he’s being mean to me~

(Elena ckwood’s POV)

She referred to Marcus as cousin, which made me realize that this was the daughter of Victoria ckwood’s brother. The family connections were bing clearer now.

I had heard about this branch of the ckwood family before. Victoria’s brother had mated with someone from a prominent pack in the Southern Territory.

Their daughter would be around Isabe’s age, but clearly had apletely different personality. Where Isabe was calcting and bitter, this girl seemed genuinely warm.

“What’s your name?” I asked, curious about this unexpected ally.

“L Lancaster,” she replied with a bright smile. “My father is Victoria ckwood’s younger brother.” Before I could respond, L suddenly grabbed my hand with both of hers. Her enthusiasm was infectiousb, /beven if overwhelming.

Marcus noticed L holding my hand. He coughed and said sternly, “L, don’t be ridiculous.”

L immediately hid behind me, acting aggrieved. “Elena, look at him, he’s being mean to me.”

I forced a smile, feeling awkward about being caught in the middle of their family dynamics. “Miss Lancaster, why don’t you stay with your cousin?”

L retorted without hesitation, “He doesn’t need me. Where are you going? I’ll go with you.”

I hesitated, searching for an excuse to escape the suffocating atmosphere of the recovery chamber. “I… I’m going to the washroom.”

L looked puzzled. “Isn’t there a washroom inside?”

Seeing my hesitation, L’s eyes lit up with understanding. “Oh, you’re shy? You’re already a mated pair, what’s there to be shy about?”

Marcus frowned and warned sharply, “L.”

L pouted like a scolded child. “Yes, yes, yes, I won’t say it anymore!”

Seizing the opportunity, I quickly left the recovery chamber. The tension in that room was bing unbearable.

I

As I walked out of the room, I noticed Marcus’s Elite Guards watching me from the corridor. Their bpresence /bwas a constant reminder of my captivity.

I knew I couldn’t leave so easily, especially since my luggage and ID were still in their bpossession/bb. /bbThe /bckwood family had effectively trapped me here.

I went to the public washroom and took out my phone, intending to call Adrian Whitmore but hesitatedb. /bbMy /bfinger hovered over his contact information.

Although I was a daughter of the Whitmore family, I had only recently been breunited /bbwith /bbthem /bband /bwasn’t close to the other members. The rtionship was bstill /bfragile, still new.

Chapter 182 Elenab, /bbhe’s /bb

bI /bbwondered /bbif /bbit /bbwas /bbright /bbto /bask the Whitmore family bto /bbconfront /bthe ckwood family on my behalf. Would bthat be /bbtaking /bbadvantage /bof their kindnessb? /b

bTaking /ba deep breath, I sent Adrian a message instead. I told him that I was already on the bne/bb, /bbhoping /bbto /bavoid worrying him unnecessarily.

Then, I reluctantly called the hospital director in Riverside City. My heart sank as I prepared to make excuses.

“Director, I’m sorry to call so suddenly,” I began. “I have something urgent and can’t return for a bwhile/bb./bb” /b

The hospital director’s voice carried clear concern and disappointment. “Elena, I know you were bintroduced /bbby /bDeputy Minister Harrison, and Elder Theodore Ashworth is also your mentor.”

He paused, and I could hear the weight of his words. “But you’ve only been at the hospital for a short btime/b, and now you’re taking such a long leave. It’s not good for you.”

I understood the director’s meaning perfectly. I had gotten the job through connections, and taking a leave bso /bsoon would give others a reason to gossip.

The medicalmunity was small andpetitive. My absence would be noticed and criticized.

With my eyes lowered, I said quietly, “I know, I’m truly sorry. I’ll try my best to get back as soon as possibleb.” /b

The director sighed audibly. “Alright, I’ll discuss it with the medical board and see what they say.”

Relief flooded through me at his understanding tone. “Thank you so much for your patience.”

After hanging up, I stared at my phone screen. My carefully built career in Riverside City was already suffering because of Marcus’s maniption.

I walked out of the washroom, feeling defeated and trapped. The corridor seemed longer than before, stretching endlessly ahead.

L suddenly popped her head out from around the corner, calling out cheerfully, “Elena!”

Her sudden appearance startled me, and I jumped slightly. My nerves were already frayed from the stress.

“Did I scare you?” L’s smile faltered immediately, and she apologized as if she had done something terrible. “I’m sorryb, /bI didn’t mean to.”

Iposed myself and looked at the pretty girl in front of me. She seemed genuinely concerned about my

reaction.

I had assumed that the Lancaster family’s daughter would be arrogant and unapproachable, but I was

surprised by her straightforwardness. Her sincerity was refreshing.

“Miss Lancaster, what are you doing out here?” I asked, curious about her motives.

L replied without hesitation, “I came to find you.”

“Find me?” I was genuinely puzzled by her interest.

L linked her arm with mine in a gesture of easy familiarity. “My cousin won’t die anytime soon. Anyway, someone is watching him.”

She continued toin to me like we were old friends. “You have bno /bidea how bored I am in the Northern Territory.”

Her voice took on a whining quality. “My aunt insisted bthat /bbI /bstay with him. He’s a grown bAlpha/bb, /bbdoes /bbhe /breally

Chapter 182 Elena, he’s b

bneed /bbme /bbto /bbkeep /bhimpanyb?/bb” /b

bShe /bbsighed /bdramatically. b“/bbI /bdon’t have any friends bIn /bthe Northern Territory. Luckily, I have byou /bbnow/bb, /bElena

I smiled at her enthusiasm, finding it impossible to resist her charm. “Is this your first time in the Northern

Territoryb?/bb” /b

L shook her head. “No, I’ve been here a few times when I was little.”

Suddenly remembering something, L eagerly grabbed my hand with both of hers. Her eyes sparkled with mischief.

“Let me tell you about my cousin’s childhood, It’s so funny!” she eximed with genuine excitement.

Unable to resist L’s enthusiasm, I didn’t want to disappoint her. Her energy was infectious, and I found myself genuinely curious.

As we chatted and walked back toward the recovery chamber, I felt lighter than I had in hours. L’s presence was like a breath of fresh air.

We encountered Isabe ckwood outside the recovery chamber. She was being stopped by Marcus’s Elite Guards, her face flushed with frustration.

“Miss, Alpha Marcus said he doesn’t want to see you,” one of the guards stated firmly.

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