Sham Marriage Quit Real Heiress Strikes Back novel Chapter 298

Alexander leaned over and clicked her seatbelt into place.

“Why would they need to know anything about your finances?” he asked casually,

Elena was left momentarily speechless.

She met his amused gaze and let out a soft laugh.

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Of course–it had to be him. He’d pulled some strings behind the scenes and kept the whole inheritance situation under wraps. As far as the Sterlings were concerned, she was just a broke orphan with nothing to her name except Alexander.

They had no clue she was sitting on a fortune.

*****

After leaving the restaurant, Zoe grew more agitated by the minute.

When Fiona called and invited her out for drinks, she went almost without thinking.

Zoe had barely taken a seat before knocking back several glasses.

“You’re not still upset with me, are you? Come on, don’t be,” Fiona said, looping her arm through Zoe’s in that sweet, clingy way of hers. “I know I messed up.”

Zoe sighed, irritation plain on her face. Zoe

“Upset about what? You weren’t wrong. We never should’ve let the family find out about Elena in the first place. And now look–some foster kid we’re suddenly bringing into the family like she’s one of us. And Father’s making it into this whole production. What’s he trying to do, win brownie points with my brother?”

Fiona had been sipping her martini elegantly. She paused mid–sip.

“Wait, you’re saying the Sterlings are officially taking Elena back?”

“Yep. I have no idea what my father’s thinking. I mean, she’s not even a real Sterling. What’s the point, besides cozying up to the Kingsleys?”

Zoe still hadn’t gotten over how Evelyn had helped Elena embarrass her last time.

Fiona’s lashes fluttered faintly.

A subtle smile touched her lips. “You wouldn’t worry too much. Like you said, she’s not a real Sterling… and besides, it’s not a done deal yet that she’ll actually make it through the door.”

“What do you mean?” Zoe gave her a puzzled look.

Fiona leaned in conspiratorially and murmured a few sentences into her ear.

“Seriously?” Zoe almost shot up from the couch, completely stunned.

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Chapter 248 The Gold Pen Award

She’d never heard about that before.

After Fiona nodded in confirmation, Zoe let out a cold, satisfied chuckle. So Alexander thought he could hand Elena the Sterling family as some kind of safety net? He could keep dreaming.

With that person in the picture, Elena didn’t stand a chance of setting foot in the Sterling home.

Elena paid no attention to the Sterlings‘ maneuvering. Since she’d taken over as CEO of Velmora Media, the company’s standing in the industry had risen noticeably over the year.

So when the annual Gold Pen Award for journalism rolled around, it came as no surprise that Elena took first place.

As the winner, she was invited to the awards gala,

Sophia wasn’t fond of these kinds of events, so she didn’t attend. Elena brought Hannah as her plus–one instead.

“Most of the major outlets in Northbridge will be here tonight,” Hannah mentioned as they walked in. “Aetherline Media will probably send someone too.”

She really didn’t want to run into Camille in a place like this–it would kill her mood completely.

Elena was wearing a rose–red velvet gown that evening. Her fair skin kept the bold color from looking tacky; instead, it made her glow.

She looked like a rose in full bloom–stunning and impossible to ignore.

“But even if Camille has the nerve to show up, she still can’t hold a candle to you,” Hannah added, unable to take her eyes off Elena.

If the old Elena was like a fresh lily, the Elena now, radiant during her pregnancy, was like a dew–kissed rose in full color.

Just looking at her, you could almost catch her fragrance.

A good relationship really did wonders for a person.

“Thanks for all the compliments,” Elena said with a light smile, linking her arm through Hannah’s as they entered the banquet hall.

Near the red carpet, headshots of the nominated journalists were displayed. Elena’s photo was placed in the most prominent spot, right next to Camille’s.

Elena paused for just a second, then looked away calmly and kept walking.

The hall was packed.

The moment Elena stepped inside, she drew eyes–not just because she’d won the Gold Pen that year, but also because she was Alexander’s wife.

All eyes drifted her way.

Still, there wasn’t a trace of arrogance in her expression. She wore a humble smile and greeted the seasoned

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Chapter 298 The Gold Pen Award

professionals around her with grace.

Because of that, people warmed to her even more.

Soon, she was pulled into conversations about the latest industry trends and hot topics.

Not far away, Camille was grinding her teeth.

She turned to the man beside her and hissed, “I lost to Elena by only ten votes. She must’ve rigged it. There’s no other way she could’ve beaten me.”

She was venting, utterly convinced the results were fixed.

After she spoke, she waited for a response but got none. When she glanced up, she found Nathan staring straight at Elena.

Camille clenched her jaw.

She tugged sharply at Nathan’s sleeve. “Honey, are you even listening?“,

Nathan finally looked away. “I heard you.”

A hot wave of resentment burned in Camille’s chest, but she didn’t dare lose her temper here.

“Elena, Nathan’s here too,” Hannah whispered softly into Elena’s ear.

“Let’s just pretend we didn’t see him,” Elena replied quietly.

She’d already noticed Nathan.

At first glance, she’d almost not recognized him. He’d lost a noticeable amount of weight, and that once- confident, energetic aura was completely gone.

But…

None of that had anything to do with her anymore.

“Elena?” A familiar voice called out from nearby.

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