Sham Marriage Quit Real Heiress Strikes Back novel Chapter 26

Chapter 26 Lies and Explosions

Nathan’s voice cut through the room like a whip. “Who were you with last night?”

The sharpness in his tone made Richard and Catherine both glance up from their seats.

Elena tucked a loose strand of hair behind her ear and said flatly, “I was home. Sleeping.”

Nathan stared at her like he was trying to see straight through her skin. “You were home, alone, and you couldn’t answer a FaceTime call?”

His voice had dropped, low and cold, eyes narrowed. He was searching for cracks in her expression, any sign she was lying.

But Elena’s face was unreadable. “I had a rough day. Work went sideways, I was stuck late, and by the time I got home, I just wanted to be left alone. You called, you were yelling–I didn’t feel like entertaining that.”

She gave a little shrug, like his tantrum meant nothing. Then she walked over and sat down on the couch, turning her head away like the conversation was over.

Nathan’s jaw clenched. “So you were working late?”

“Yeah.”

He let out a sharp, dry laugh. “Right.”

Camille jumped in, voice all sugary concern. “Elena, come on, don’t be ridiculous. You told me work wasn’t going well, but I also heard you already handed off your article to Andy.”

Elena shot her a look. “Yeah, because you ambushed me with questions about Alexander’s personal life. I had to stay late cleaning up your mess.”

Camille froze. No comeback. Catherine and Richard looked at her, clearly surprised. Neither of them had known about that.

Richard frowned behind his newspaper. “That was reckless. Pinnacle Group is a major partner. You can’t go in there shooting off questions like that.”

He sounded like he was scolding her, but his tone was soft, almost indulgent.

Then he turned to Elena, his voice shifting completely. “Camille meant well. People have been curious about Alexander for years–she just asked what others were thinking. You’re her sister. It’s your job to help her out. No big deal.”

Elena looked at him like she was staring straight into a hollow shell. Her lips curved slightly.

She wasn’t sure if she was about to laugh–or lose it.

Nathan, meanwhile, hadn’t taken his eyes off her. “You’re lying.”

“Am I?”

“I went to your office last night,” he said, stepping closer. “I saw you get into Alexander’s car. Don’t treat me like I’m stupid.”

His voice rose, sharp and furious. The usual polished calm he wore like a mask had cracked wide open. His face was twisted with jealousy, outrage–and something else, something uglier.

Elena blinked. “What?”

Even Nathan looked unsure now. He turned to Camille. “You said she was getting involved with Ryan. You better not be making this up.”

Camille jumped on the moment, voice a little too fast. “I’m not! Yesterday we were both at Pinnacle Group. The day before, a random intern walked me up, but yesterday, Ryan came to get us himself. Elena has his number. They were talking in the elevator like they were close. It was obvious.”

She looked proud, like she’d laid out a perfect case.

Then she added, “And Alexander was totally cold during my interview. But when Elena sat down, suddenly he was charming, respectful, cooperative. That has to mean something. What else could it be–unless he’s into her?”

That last line made Catherine and Richard sit up a little straighter. They weren’t just listening now. They were concerned.

Richard’s face darkened. “This is disgraceful. We brought you back into this family, and this is what you do? Marriage clearly means nothing to you.”

Nathan glared at Elena, voice like ice. “Do you have anything to say for yourself?”

He remembered meeting Ryan a few times. No, he wasn’t rich like the Hawthornes, but he was trusted, respected, powerful in his own way. If Elena had really been sneaking around with him…

It made Nathan sick. Camille leaned in, playing the doting act to perfection. “Elena, just apologize to Nathan. Come on.”

Inside, she was thrilled.

Nathan hated disloyalty. He wouldn’t kick Elena out just yet–there were still shares tied up in the marriage–but emotionally? He was done. And that was all Camille needed.