1 was stunned and turned backb: /bb“/bbPro/bb…/bprofessor?”

Mark gave a brief b“/bMm.”

bAt /bthis momentb, /bthe air seemed bto /bfreezeb. /b

All the guests remaining at the banquet widened their eyes, looking at this man in a gray suit with calm eyes and brows, unable to believe their eyes.

They looked at each otherb, /bsome beven /beximing in low bvoices/bb: /bb“/bb…/bIs that Colton? THE Mark Colton?”

-Mark, the most renowned healer in the entire werewolf world.

He bwas /bsomeone all Alphas dreamed of befriending.

It was said his healing abilities were miraculous – bhe /bcould stabilize even rampaging Alphas with a single treatment. There were even rumors that the Royal Werewolf Court had personally sent envoys three times bto /binvite him to be a royal healer, all of which he had politely declined.

But these bwere /bonly superficial.

Those who truly understood his background knew even more clearly:

Mark’s family had once been part of the ancient royal bloodline, among the first members of the high council that established werewolfw. Even though Mark had long since withdrawn from the power vortexb, /bno one dared to underestimate him in the slightest.

Such an important figure had actuallye to attend such a small birthday banquet?

Grandmother was also stunned to see Mark, but after recovering, she quickly rose to greet him.

Mark was typically aloof, but he maintained respect for elders worthy of honor.

le quickly approached, helped my grandmother sit down, and said: “No need to get up, please sit.”

Grandmother sat down and said: “Professor Colton, your presence is an honor for our family.”

You’re too kind.” Mark sat beside her, then had Milo hand him the gift, which he personally presented to grandmother, showing full respect and giving her

remendous face.

his again shocked everyone present.

irandmother continued: “In earlier years, Aurora was under your care.”

She is my student. Taking care of her is my duty.” Mark said: “She’s recently made some research progress and hasn’t wasted her talents, so you can rest

ssured.”

egarding my abandoning my studies for Ferris, neither Merck nor grandmother had interfered much.

hey both felt that young people experiencing setbacks wasn’t necessarily bad.

Moreoverb, /bwhen you choose your own path, that’s when you truly understand what regret means.

The fear bwas /bofpletely sinking after encountering setbacks, stubbornly immersing oneself in darkness and being unable to emerge.

Fortunatelyb, /bafter my period of decline, I hadn’t continued choosing to bury myself.

Now hearing Mark say thisb, /bgrandmother finally feltpletely at ease: b“/bGood, good.”

sat beside Mark, turning bto /bsay to Milo: “Thanks.”

I could feel that after Mark’s arrival, my grandmother had genuinely be happy.

Milo shrugged: “Don’t thank me. After seeing your project proposal from a while back, the professor happened to give me a reply. When I told him about the situation here, he came over. So if you want to thank anyone, thank yourself.”

I was about to speak when I heard someone say: “A–Alpha Adrian?”

Just as the crowd had not yet recovered from the shock of Mark’s appearance, unhurried footsteps suddenly echoed from the hall entrance steady and powerful.

A tall figure slowly walked into the crowd, wearing a deep ck military–style long coat with a silver emblematic badge on his chest that gleamed coldly under

the lights.

His entire presence was like a de with hidden sharpness – quiet, yet impossible to ignore.

Adrian.