Chapter 303: Elena Ward Tucked the Manila Envelope into Her Desk Drawer

Elena Ward tucked the manila envelope into her desk drawer, her fingers tapping lightly on the wooden surface.

"Come in."

She glanced at her wristwatch—still an hour before her next patient.

The door swung open.

Victor Hale entered with Nolan Hale and Camille Hale in tow. Dressed in designer outfits, the trio stood out conspicuously in the hospital corridor. Nolan's handsome face was twisted into a scowl dark enough to rival storm clouds.

"Dr. Ward," Victor said with practiced cordiality, "my son has been... difficult. We apologize for the inconvenience."

A nudge from his father forced Nolan forward two reluctant steps.

"Sor—ry," he ground out through clenched teeth.

Camille smoothly slid a bulging envelope across the desk. "A small token of our appreciation."

Elena didn't touch it. Instead, she leaned back in her chair and gestured to the "Medical Ethics Code" plaque on the wall. "Mr. Hale, are you asking me to violate professional conduct?"

Victor's smile faltered. His gaze lingered on Elena's features, then his pupils constricted abruptly.

The resemblance was uncanny.

Those eyes—the exact replica of that woman's.

"Where are you from, Dr. Ward?" The question escaped him before he could stop it.

Elena checked her watch again. "Unless this is a medical consultation, I must ask you not to occupy my scheduled appointment slots."

Camille caught her father's odd reaction and tugged discreetly at his sleeve. "Dad?"

Victor blinked, forcing another smile. "Perhaps lunch—"

"Not interested." The refusal came swift and final.

Outside the consultation room, the waiting line had grown. With no choice, the Hale family retreated.

In the hallway, Camille whispered, "Do you know her?"

Victor wiped his damp forehead. "She looks... exactly like your mother when she was young."

Camille whirled around, peering through the door's narrow gap at Elena inside.

"You mean—"

"Twenty years ago, in the countryside..." Victor's voice shook. "They said she died in childbirth..."

A calculating gleam entered Camille's eyes.

"If that's true..." Her crimson lips curved. "This could be very useful indeed."