Chapter 435: The Guard's Voice Was Like a Bucket of Cold Water

"Report! Urgent call for Dr. Ward!"

The guard's voice was like a bucket of cold water, snapping the two lovebirds out of their sweet moment.

Elena's cheeks burned as she pushed Adrian away. The man's passion was overwhelming—she adored his fiery affection, but this was hardly the time or place.

Adrian grimaced as he straightened his uniform. Damn it. He'd lost his composure on the battlefield.

Elena quickly braided her long hair into two simple plaits—plain but better than leaving it loose. She hurried to take the call.

"This is Elena Ward."

Her pulse raced. Who would call her at a time like this?

"Elena, it's your father—Victor Hale."

The words struck like lightning.

"Mr. Hale, you've mistaken me for someone else. And wartime calls are strictly for emergencies." She clenched her teeth. Of course the Hale family had the connections to reach a frontline phone.

"I've confirmed it! You're Julia Hale's daughter—my flesh and blood!" Victor's voice trembled with emotion. "I went to Pinehaven Village myself, tracked down the former women's committee head—"

"Enough!" Elena cut him off. "I don't need a father. Thomas and Margaret Ward raised me with all their love. Stay out of my life."

Her grip tightened on the receiver. Victor only wanted her now because of her connections. The Hales needed her—just like in her past life, when they'd needed a scapegoat.

"Elena, I'm worried about your safety—"

"Worried?" She let out a cold laugh. "Twenty years of silence, and now you play the doting father? Where was this concern when Nolan Hale was in trouble?"

Dead silence on the line.

Elena's stomach dropped. Damn. I slipped up.

"You... know about Nolan?" Victor's voice turned dangerously low.

"Bad signal. I'm hanging up." She slammed the receiver down, her palms slick with sweat.

She should've realized sooner—Victor's sudden "fatherly concern" was likely just a ploy to investigate Nolan's disappearance. Now she was in real trouble.