Sham Marriage Quit Real Heiress Strikes Back novel Chapter 28

Chapter 28 So Now I Matter?

She barely touched her food. After dinner. Catherine and Camille pulled Nathan aside for a “chat–which Elena could guess the topic of without hearing a word.

But it was Richard who caught her off guard. He invited her into his study.

For Elena, stepping into that room felt surreal. She’d never been allowed in before. Not once.

That space was always reserved for Camille.

Once, Camille had tricked her into going in. The punishment had been brutal–ten lashes from Richard’s belt, deep enough to scar. Now he was waving her in warmly.

“Elena. Come on, don’t stand there,” Richard called.

She forced herself to move, standing stiffly in front of the desk.

“Sit. Don’t be so formal.”

She sat slowly, still wary. Richard smiled, trying to sound casual. “I heard from Camille that you’re pretty close with Sophia. And that the interview you’re working on–Alexander specifically asked for you?”

Elena didn’t respond. She already knew where this was going. The Hart Group wasn’t small, but next to the Kingsleys? They were nothing.

She stayed silent, waiting. Eventually, Richard gave in.

“I know you’ve always had issues with me and your mother. We kept Camille around when maybe we shouldn’t have. But before you came back, she was the only daughter we had. I hope you can understand our feelings.”

Understand? Elena almost laughed.

“Didn’t I always try?”

She met his eyes, voice calm but cutting.

“When I first came back, you told me Camille wasn’t used to living in a small town, so you’d keep her here for a while. Said you’d send her to the countryside later. That never happened. You gave her the best room, got her a job, even sent her abroad on your dime.”

“She wasn’t raised for that kind of life,” Richard offered weakly.

“And I was?” Elena’s voice trembled with fury.

“We were both separated from our real parents. But she got to grow up with you. She got the silver spoon and all the love. And me? You didn’t even bother learning my food preferences. I hate ginger. Camille loves it. Guess which one you always remembered.”

Fine. She was happy to play this game.

“Sure,” she said. “I’ll give Sophia a call and set it up.”

Richard lit up like a Christmas tree. He even walked her to the door himself when she left. Nathan was waiting outside.

“Elena, Grandpa was asking about you last night. Want to come back to the estate with me tonight?”

His expression was strained. The smile looked forced.

Elena caught the way Catherine and Camille were staring at them, practically burning holes into Nathan’s back.

Clearly, they’d been pressuring him about the family shares. She looked up at him sweetly and smiled. “Sure. Let’s go together.”

Then, right in front of Camille, she leaned in close to Nathan. “Not gonna ask if there’s something going on between me and Ryan?”

Nathan’s smile widened. He gently pinched her cheek. “Why would I? I was just teasing. Come on, let’s take your car.”