Chapter 4

I stood frozen in place, watching as the assistant confirmed that I had not sent any confidential pack information to anyone outside the organization. Once he was done checking, I turned to Adrian.

"It's been proven that I wasn't the one who leaked the pack's secrets. Don't you think you owe me an apology?"

The moment I said that, mocking laughter broke out around us.

"Is she crazy? She actually expects the Alpha to apologize to her?"

"She should be grateful he's letting her leave. Just because they haven't found any evidence doesn't mean she didn't delete it beforehand!"

Adrian frowned. He did not scold me. Instead, his eyes fell on the red marks around my wrist where he had grabbed me. A flicker of concern crossed his face. "Does it hurt?"

I froze for a moment.

For five years, he had always been like that.

Even when we had just been fighting, the moment he saw me hurt, his first instinct was still to worry about me.

However, that concern had never been enough to change his decisions.

I pulled down my sleeve and looked at him calmly. "That's not something you need to worry about."

Adrian's expression shifted slightly. He seemed to want to say something, but in the end, he merely lowered his voice.

"I was just following pack protocol. Everyone has to have their crystal terminal checked before leaving the administrative office. I wasn't accusing you."

His voice was no longer as icy as before. If anything, it carried a hint of helplessness. "Elena, I know you wouldn't do something like this. However, whenever confidential information is leaked, everyone involved has to be investigated. When the investigation is over, I'll make this right."

I remained expressionless and said nothing.

He could tell from my face that I no longer trusted him. Adrian's eyes darkened.

Just then, Vivian walked toward us with a gentle smile. "Adrian and I should've handled things better today. If you're upset, let me apologize on his behalf."

As soon as she finished speaking, she suddenly clutched her chest and broke into a violent coughing fit.

Adrian immediately tensed and rushed to her side. "What's wrong? Does your chest hurt?"

Vivian leaned against his shoulder and weakly shook her head. "I'm fine."

Adrian glanced at me, exhaustion written all over his face. "Elena, if you're upset, take it out on me. She only has one month left. I can't let her get upset over something like this. I know you feel wronged, but can't you just make an exception for her this once?"

Vivian gently tugged at his sleeve. "I'm fine. Elena is just hurting right now. Let me talk to her."

Adrian hesitated while Vivian smiled sweetly.

"I don't want you caught in the middle of this."

Her words finally convinced him, and he stepped a few feet away.

The moment he was out of earshot, Vivian walked closer to me. The weakness vanished from her face as she lowered her voice.

"See? He still worries about you. However, he cares about me more. For all these five years, you've been nothing but a replacement he was too ashamed to acknowledge."

I did not respond.

When she realized I was not going to say anything, a smug smile spread across her face. Then, in the next instant, she stumbled backward and let out a scream.

"Vivian!"

Adrian charged toward us and shoved me aside. My lower back slammed into the wooden table behind me, and a sudden, searing pain shot through my lower abdomen.

"Elena, I thought you were at least a decent person. I never imagined you could do something so cruel! You'd better pray Vivian is all right. Otherwise, I will never forgive you!"

With that, he scooped Vivian into his arms and stormed out without looking back.

The moment he was gone, screams erupted from the crowd.

"Blood!"

"Elena's bleeding!"

I looked down. Bright red blood was already running down my leg. The pain in my lower abdomen grew worse by the second, and my vision began to blur.

Ethan rushed into the room and caught me just as my knees started to give way.

"Elena!"

I clutched his sleeve. Through the haze, I heard his trembling voice.

"Don't be scared. I'm here."

As soon as the healer began emergency treatment, Ethan immediately called Adrian.

For the first time, he completely lost his temper and shouted at him, "Adrian, I'll deal with you later for everything you've done to Elena! Get here. Now! Her baby is in danger!"