bChapter /bb196/b: She Wanted to Give Hugo a Gift

Chapter 196: She Wanted to Give Hugo a Gift

(Elena ckwood’s POV)

I was immediately disturbed and a little flustered, so I picked up my phone and called Rachel Thompson. My hands trembled slightly as I dialed her number.

The empty apartment felt suffocating. Something was terribly wrong.

Rachel answered on the second ring. “Elena?”

“Rachel, are you home?” I asked urgently, my voice tight with worry.

“Yes, I’m at home,” she replied, but her voice sounded distant.

I frowned, looking around the clearly vacant apartment. “But I’m at your ce right now, and you’re not hereb.” /b

There was a pause, then Rachel peeked out from what I realized was Hugo Ashworth’s room. “I’m actually

staying with Dr. Ashworth for protection.”

My eyes widened in surprise. Both Rachel and Dr. Edmond Fisher were in Hugo’s private chamber.

“Some mysterious operatives came looking for me,” Rachel exined quickly. “Fortunately, Hugo and Dr. Fisher intervened and offered me a temporary refuge.”

Dr. Fisher stepped forward, his expression serious. “We managed to save her from a very difficult situation.”

Relief flooded through me, followed immediately by gratitude. “Thank you so much, Dr. Fisher.”

He brushed off my thanks with a wave. “Don’t thank me. Thank Hugo instead.”

Dr. Fisher gathered his things and headed for the door. “I’ll leave you two to talk.”

After he left, I turned to Rachel. “Your safe haven here isn’t secure anymore. We need to find you somewhere

else.”

Rachel nodded in agreement. “I was thinking of staying with Jane Ports. Havingpany might be safer.”

“That’s a good idea,” I said, pulling out my phone. “Let me call her.”

After Rachel contacted Jane and went back to pack her things, I met Hugo’s eyes. His expression was

unreadable.

“So you’ve returned to the Northern Territory,” he remarked, his tone carrying a hint of sarcasm.

I felt heat rise to my cheeks. “I suppose I owe Professor Ashworth another favor now.”

Hugo hesitated, his usual confidence wavering. “I don’t need you to repay me with a meal.”

I pressed him, curious about his reluctance. “Then what do you want?b” /b

Hugo didn’t answer immediately, His golden eyes seemed to search my face for something.

“Forget bit/bb,/b” he said finally. “Even if I don’t let you repay this favor, you won’t agree. Do whatever you wantb, /bbI /b

bept /bit all.”

His words left me puzzled, but I began thinking about how bto /brepay Hugo’s kindness. bA /bbgift /bbseemed /b

appropriate, txt i had no idea what he tied

beth

Thinking of this, I picked up my phone and sent a message to Dr. Mitchell

Back at the hotel, it was already right. The dinner on the table hadn’t been touched and had gone cold.

Marcus ckwood was sitting at the table, supporting his forehead with one hand. His deep, handsome face was reflected in the light, making him look even parler.

Not knowing how long he had waited, a hint of impatience was hidden between his brows. Elite Guard’s

walked towards me,ining “Lana, you’re finally back, Alpha Marous, he…”

1 thought you wouldn’te back Marcus interrupted

My gaze fell on the dinner table, and I frowned. If I don’te back, you won’t eat?”

He didn’t answer

“How long have you been waiting?” I walked to his side, crossed my arms, and leaned against the table, smiling. “Marcus ckwood, you rarely came home back then, and I waited for you like this. I didn’t even say anything, and you’re already impatient?”

The guard looked embarrassed. “Luna, Alpha Marcus is just a bit emotional, why are you still ming him….

“He has emotions, and I don’t?” My voice rose. “My emotions have been more than his for these past six years. It’s only okay for me to wait for him, and he gets upset after waiting for me for a while?”

The guard immediately fell silent.

Marcus’s jaw moved, then he instructed the guard to heat up the dinner.

The guard didn’t say a word, picked up the dinner from the table, and went to the kitchen.

Only Marcus and I were left in the living room, staring at each other. Perhaps seeing me being serious, he

covered his forehead with his thumb and four fingers and lightly rubbed it.

I just wasn’t that hungry…”

“If you starve to death, it’s none of my business.”

Seeing my heartless appearance, Marcus suddenly smiled.

“What are youughing at?”

He looked straight at me. “You’re still angry, which means you still care.”

I was speechless, then after a moment, I curled my lips. “If something happens to you, the ckwood family will stille to me for trouble. I just hate trouble.”

After saying that, I turned and went into the room. Marcus’s thin lips tightened, bonly /ba hint of a smile

remained.

The next morning, I was having breakfast when I received a reply from Dr. Mitchell: [Hugo’s tastes bare /bba /bbbit /bmixed!]

Dr. Fisher then sent a detailed list: cold–blooded animals, spicy food, and freshly ground coffee.

When I asked for specific gift suggestions, his response surprised me: [Give him ba /bblighter/b!]

I stared at the message in confusion. Hugo didn’t seem like a smoker.

Chapter 196 She Wanted to Orve Huge & Diff

[Listen to me, give him a lighter, and he’ll be happyb!/bb)/b. Dr. Fisher insisted.

(Hugo Ashworth’s POV)

During my next medical consultation, I caught Dr. Fisher cking off with his phone instead of paying attention to the patient.

I walked over and took the phone from his hands. The message thread with Elena was still open on the

screen.

My eyes scanned the conversation quickly before I handed the phone back. “Don’t do this again during

consultations.”

Dr. Fisher looked sheepish. “Sorry, Professor.”

After the consultation ended, Dr. Fisher approached me nervously. “Please don’t tell Elena that I suggested

the gift idea.”

I raised an eyebrow. “What’s the meaning of sending a lighter?”

Dr. Fisher grinned mischievously. “A woman giving a man a lighter represents igniting the me of love!”

My heart skipped a beat at his words. The implications hit me like a physical blow.

(Elena ckwood’s POV)

Back in the Northern Territory, I went to pick out a lighter. Dr. Fisher’s suggestion had convinced me, even though I still didn’t understand the logic.

The store he rmended was unlike anything I’d expected. It looked more like a thrift shop than a proper

retailer.

Records, CDs, newspapers, and antique brand–name watches filled the disy cases. Rare little trinkets were scattered throughout the cramped space.

The prices weren’t cheap. A vintage brass lighter with intricate wolf engravings was priced at several

thousand dors.

I iknew /iexpensive lighters from Marcus’s collection, but I’d never shopped for one myself. The craftsmanship on this particr piece was exceptional.

The wolf engravings were detailed and elegant, clearly the work of a master artisan. Despite the high price, I

didn’t haggle.

“I’ll take this one,” I told Samuel Brooks, the store owner.

He wrapped it carefully in tissue paper and ced it in a small gift box. “Excellent choice. This is a very

special piece.”

I paid without hesitation and tucked the box into my shopping bag. The weight of it felt significant somehow.

Walking out of Moonstone General Store, I felt satisfied with my purchase. Hugo would surely appreciate

craftsmanship.

I looked up from adjusting my shopping bag and froze. Marcus was stepping out of his Midnight Spyker bC8 /b

Supercar.

My heart stopped. What was he doing here?

Chapter ol start="196"liShe Wanted to Give Hugo a Gift /li/ol

The bAlpha /bstraightened his coat with deliberate precision. His golden eyes blocked /bbonto /bbmine /bimmediately

He walked toward me with that predatory grace that always made my pulse brace/b. His expression bwas /b

unreadable, but there was something dangerous in his gaze.

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