Sham Marriage Quit Real Heiress Strikes Back novel Chapter 137

Chapter 137 Public Fallout

Finished

體質

After the fire at Hawthorne Group’s garment factory made headlines, the comment section exploded almost immediately.

Victor was already under fire.

Elena was dragged into it right alongside him.

[Elena was the one who reported it. Everyone can see what she’s trying to do.]

[Nathan loves Camille, not her. She’s just bitter. Thought she was going to be Mrs. Hawthorne, turns out she was nothing. Embarrassing.]

[Exactly. Never underestimate a woman scorned.]

Elena scrolled past the comments without much expression. The louder the argument became, the higher the story trended. Every insult thrown at her only pushed more traffic toward the investigation. Every accusation kept Hawthorne Group in the spotlight.

She did not mind.

Sophia, however, absolutely did.

Logging in with her verified account, Sophia went after anyone who criticized Elena without discrimination.

[Are you about?]

blind? Nathan lied about the marriage. Do you have any idea what you’re talking

[“Never underestimate a woman“? Last I checked, you’re a woman too. Want to explain that logic?]

[Who exactly is dying to marry into the Hawthorne family? You think that’s some kind of prize?]

The internet collectively recalibrated.

Arguing with a Kingsley was a risky move. No one wanted their account mysteriously suspended the next day.

This was the first time someone had defended Elena so publicly and so fiercely. She had always told herself that public opinion did not matter, that no amount of evidence could change the minds of people determined to misunderstand. Still, seeing someone stand up for her stirred something she had not expected.

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She sent Sophia a message to thank her.

Just as she set her phone down, raised voices echoed from outside her hospital room.

“I’m Elena’s mother. Move out of the way.”

Finished

Catherine stood at the door in a fitted designer dress, an Hermès bag hanging from her arm, chin lifted with practiced authority as she stared coldly at the two bodyguards blocking the

entrance.

This ungrateful girl. She’s only been out of sight for a few weeks, and now she has security posted outside her room?

“Sorry,” Noah said evenly. “Miss Sterling hasn’t mentioned having a mother like you.”

Liam added, “We can’t let you

in.”

The two brothers spoke almost identically.

Catherine let out a sharp laugh. “Call her out here. Richard, take a look at your wonderful daughter. She doesn’t even recognize her own family anymore.”

“We are her parents,” Richard said, trying to rein in his irritation. “We have important business with her. Step aside.”

Forcing their way through was not an option. The two men in front of them looked like they could bench–press a truck. No wonder Nathan had refused to come himself.

Liam replied flatly, “Your last name is Hart. Our lady’s last name is Sterling. We don’t entertain random people claiming relations.”

Richard and Catherine nearly choked on the insult. The Hart family had social standing, and now they were being dismissed by hired security.

“Elena, come out here,” Richard finally shouted, his composure cracking.

The hospital room door opened.

Elena sat in a wheelchair, her posture straight despite the bandage wrapped around her calf. She looked at them without warmth.

“Nathan didn’t have the nerve to come himself, so he sent you instead?”

She did not soften the accusation.

Richard’s throat tightened. He forced a smile. “Elena, don’t make it sound like that. Your mother and I heard you were injured. We came to check on you.”

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Chapter 137 Public Fallout

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“I’m almost discharged,” Elena replied calmly. “You just found out I was hurt?”

Her gaze moved over them slowly, then she gave a short laugh. “You’re interesting. Visiting a patient without flowers or even a fruit basket. Anyone watching would think you stopped by for small talk.”

Aside from Catherine’s handbag, they had brought nothing.

Catherine had no patience for this tone. In her mind, she was Elena’s mother. No matter how badly she treated her, Elena was supposed to endure it. Without her, Elena would not even exist.

“Delete that ridiculous report immediately,” Catherine demanded. “And issue a clarification about the fire.”

Her voice carried the expectation of obedience.

“I don’t understand how you can be so heartless. Yes, the Hawthorne family deceived you, but

you

lived under their roof for five years. You mean to tell me you feel nothing for the man you called Dad all that time? You’re going to send him to prison?”

She spoke as though Elena’s refusal were a moral failure.

“Enough,” Richard muttered, then looked at Elena with forced gentleness. “Elena, you were wronged. I know that. Let’s handle this properly. Delete the article and speak to Mr. Kingsley. Ask him to let this go. Can we do that?”

Nathan had hinted that the Kingsleys were backing her, which explained how she had secured a high–profile attorney.

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