Sham Marriage Quit Real Heiress Strikes Back novel Chapter 250

Chapter 250 Lines You Don’t Cross

Even now, Elena couldn’t stop thinking about that call from earlier that morning. It sat in her chest, heavy and hard to ignore, like something unresolved pressing at the edges of her thoughts.

Alexander’s gaze dropped to her wrist, still faintly red. He drew in a slow breath, forcing himself to rein in the irritation building in his chest before it got the better of him. “I’m sorry,” he said, his voice lower than before.

“When did you get back?” Elena asked, glancing at him.

“This afternoon,” Alexander replied.

There was a brief pause before he added, “I’m going to have HR at Velmora Media start the handoff process. Someone else will take over your responsibilities.”

Elena turned to him fully now, her brows knitting together. “What do you mean?”

“It means you’re pregnant, and you should be at home resting,” he said plainly.

She didn’t hesitate. “No. We already talked about this. I’m not giving up my job just because I’m pregnant. Alexander, that was the agreement.”

“That agreement only works if you’re actually keeping yourself and the baby safe,” Alexander said, his tone sharpening despite himself. “And right now, you’re not.”

The tension in his voice was obvious.

This is because I stepped in to help that girl?” Elena asked, uncertainty creeping into her voice.

She couldn’t quite believe that something like that would push him this far.

“Yes,” Alexander said, meeting her eyes without hesitation. “If you insist on working, I can move you into a desk role at Pinnacle Group. Something stable. What you’re doing now isn’t something I’m comfortable with.”

When he saw that video, his heart practically stopped.

That moment alone had been enough to make up his mind.

The car fell into a heavy silence.

After a few seconds, Elena let out a soft, disbelieving laugh. “So in your mind, nothing matters more than the baby? Not even someone’s life?”

Alexander’s

pression cooled immediately when he heard the anger in her voice. “Yes. A stranger and my child aren’t even comparable.”

I made sure I was safe. Elena said, her voice steady but firm. “And even if there had been real danger, I still wouldn’t have just stood there and watched.”

She didn’t back down.

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Chapter 250 Unes You Don’t Cross

Finished

“If being with you means I have to become someone cold, someone who can ignore that kind of situation. then I’m not me anymore. Alexander, you need to understand something. I didn’t lose myself when I married you. I’m still me first, before anything else, before being your wife or part of your family.”

Everything Malcolm and Vivian had taught her growing up made that choice instinctive.

Walking away had never been an option.

“I’m cold now?” Alexander let out a short, incredulous laugh, clearly irritated.

…That’s how it sounds right now,” Elena admitted, a flicker of regret passing through her expression.

But she held her ground.

If I give in now. I’ll lose this job for good.

The air between them grew tense, almost suffocating. Neither of them was willing to take a step back.

Alexander looked at her flushed face, at the stubborn set of her jaw, and exhaled slowly.

“Fine.” he said at last.

He gave in. “But I have one condition.”

Elena looked at him, waiting. “You’re done with the Landon story. You’re not following it anymore.”

Her brows drew together. “Why?”

“He’s Riona’s son, the heir to Hawke Group,” Alexander said, his tone even as he explained.

Hawke Group.

Hearing that name, everything clicked into place for Elena.

That explained why Landon could do whatever he wanted in the industry without consequences. Hawke Group’s influence in Astryn rivaled the Hawthorne family’s power back in Grayhaven, and there had always been rumors about the company’s involvement in more questionable dealings. On top of that, George Hawke’s marriage to Riona tied the Hawke family even closer to the Sterlings.

With that kind of backing, it was no wonder Landon acted untouchable.

“Pinnacle Group has ongoing partnerships with the Sterling family,” Alexander continued, his tone measured. “If you get involved, it’s not appropriate.”

Elena’s brows tightened further. Then, thinking back to what he had said earlier, something clicked.

“You’re not stopping me because it’s dangerous,” she said slowly, her voice trembling just slightly. “You’re stopping me because it could affect your business relationship with the Sterlings, aren’t you?”

She didn’t want to believe it.

But the thought wouldn’t go away.

The doubt in her voice, the disappointment behind it, struck a nerve.

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Chapter 230 Lines You Don’t Cross

“So that’s what you think of me?” Alexander’s voice turned sharp.

“Isn’t that what you said?” Elena shot back immediately.

*Finished

“You said yourself that someone who has nothing to do with your family doesn’t matter. Whether they live. or die doesn’t concern you. Even if you know Landon is involved, you’d still choose to ignore it.”

Alexander’s jaw tightened. “I don’t care about other people.”

“I do,” Elena said, shaking her head. She blinked rapidly, forcing the tears back before they could fall.

“I chose this career because the truth matters. What Landon did shouldn’t just disappear because his family has power and connections.”

She straightened her back, her voice steady despite everything.

“Alexander, I think we need to take some time and really think about this. If our values don’t align, then we need to ask ourselves whether we should even be together.”

With that, she opened the car door and stepped out.

She didn’t look back.

I love him, but I can’t lose myself just to stay with him.

Her values, her beliefs, and the reason she chose this path were all part of who she was, and there was no way she was giving any of that up.

“Mr. Kingsley,” Ryan said as he approached from a distance, having watched everything unfold. There was a hint of concern in his expression. “Maybe you should talk to her, explain things a bit more, Elena’s not going to walk away from the Landon story.”

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