Sham Marriage Quit Real Heiress Strikes Back novel Chapter 196

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Elena had no intention of bringing up anything related to the Hawthorne family.

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She was still thinking about how to respond when Alexander spoke first, his voice calm but leaving no room for discussion.

Alexander said, “Her parents passed away. Zoe, let’s not get into that. If she gets upset, I’m the one dealing with it tonight.”

His tone was light, almost casual, but the meaning behind it was unmistakable.

He was shutting the topic down.

Zoe lifted her brow slightly, the reaction subtle but telling.

After a brief pause, she sighed and shifted gears. “Alright, we’ll leave that aside. Alexander, I actually came today because of Fiona. She told me you arranged for her to go to Eldoria on a work assignment. The girl just got back to Grayhaven not long ago, and before she’s even had time to settle in, you’re sending her overseas again. She called me the night before she left, crying.”

Her voice softened, carrying a hint of concern that felt carefully measured.

“I’m not trying to interfere, but she doesn’t have any family. Being out there alone in a foreign country isn’t easy.”

So that was it.

Elena finally understood why Zoe had shown up today.

It seemed the connection between Zoe and Fiona ran deeper than she had assumed. Otherwise, Zoe wouldn’t have come all the way to the Kingsley Manor, especially on a night reserved for a family dinner, just to speak on Fiona’s behalf.

Evelyn clearly hadn’t known about Fiona being sent abroad. She glanced at Alexander, then at Elena, surprise flickering across her face.

Elena remained silent, choosing to wait and see how Alexander would respond.

Alexander took his time, lifting his cup and taking a slow sip before setting it down again. A faint smile lingered on his lips, controlled and unreadable.

“She’s employed by Pinnacle Group,” he said evenly. “It’s only natural that she contributes where she’s needed. Managing a project independently in Eldoria will help her grow. She can’t stay in a support role by my side forever.”

He paused just slightly before continuing.

“And she’s not married. Staying that close to me long–term wouldn’t be appropriate.”

His tone was gentle, almost considerate, as if he were genuinely thinking about Fiona’s best interests.

12:15 pm P PPP.

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Evelyn raised an eyebrow, clearly unconvinced.

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Others might take his words at face value, but she understood him far too well. What he was really saying. was simple, there was no room for negotiation. Even if Fiona returned, the position she once held would no longer exist.

Zoe, however, seemed reassured, her smile deepening as she responded, “I understand your reasoning, but you and Fiona grew up together. Even if she stayed by your side, I doubt anyone would think much of it.”

She turned to Elena with a pointed look.

“Don’t you think so, Elena?”

Elena had been quietly observing the exchange, more spectator than participant, until her name was suddenly pulled into the conversation.

She paused for a brief moment, then quickly understood what Zoe meant by “anyone.”

It referred to her.

Since Alexander had already taken a clear stance, there was no reason for her to undermine it.

She smiled, her expression polite and composed. “I see what you mean. Anyone who knows Fiona would trust her character, but people on the outside might not see it that way.”

Her tone remained soft, but her words were deliberate.

“And Fiona isn’t exactly in her early twenties anymore. I heard Mom has been setting her up on dates. If rumors start circulating, it could complicate things for her. That wouldn’t be fair. Besides, she’s very capable. Getting experience overseas will only benefit her.”

Evelyn went quiet for a moment, her gaze lingering on Elena with a hint of reassessment.

She had clearly underestimated her.

With just a few carefully chosen sentences, Elena had shifted the pressure back onto her without creating conflict.

Zoe, on the other hand, frowned slightly, confusion evident in her expression. “You’ve been setting Fiona up on dates?”

Evelyn replied, “I have, but she hasn’t been satisfied with any of them.”

The thought alone seemed to sour her mood.

The candidates she had introduced were all solid, respectable choices. Yet Fiona had complained that one of them made her uncomfortable. Evelyn had even followed up with the matchmaker afterward, only to learn that Fiona had been distant and dismissive from the start, driving the man away herself.

She didn’t know every detail of what had happened, but her impression of Fiona had declined significantly.

“You don’t need to worry about it anymore,” Evelyn said, her tone cooling as her smile faded slightly.

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Finished

“Alexander is married now. It’s not appropriate for Fiona to remain close to him. People talk, and it won’t reflect well on anyone involved.”

She turned her attention to the staff. “Is dinner ready?”

At that point, Zoe understood perfectly.

The Kingsley family had no intention of allowing Fiona to stay connected to Alexander.

Her expression tightened, and when she spoke again, her tone carried a trace of sarcasm.

“Back when nothing had happened to the Scott family, our families were quite close.”

No one responded.

Walter, as the elder, remained silent, unwilling to engage in such matters. Simon and Caleb stayed out of it as well, simply observing.

Elena, meanwhile, watched quietly, occasionally glancing at Alexander.

His expression remained unchanged, calm and detached, as if the entire conversation had nothing to do with him.

He’s supposed to like Fiona… so why does he look completely unaffected?

As if sensing her gaze, Alexander turned his head slightly and raised an eyebrow, silently asking what she was thinking.

Elena quickly looked away, her thoughts becoming even more tangled.

Evelyn, however, responded with composed indifference. “Our families were close, yes. Not long ago, Alexander even accompanied Fiona to visit her father’s grave. He was his mentor, after all. On their way back, they were nearly involved in a car accident.”

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