Sham Marriage Quit Real Heiress Strikes Back novel Chapter 69

Lydia did not make trouble for Elena that day, so Elena focused on finishing her assignments. Because of the team dinner, Lydia had told everyone they could clock out at five, and the entire editorial department headed out together.

Alexander would be attending, so the location was a newly opened upscale buffet spot in Grayhaven. Elena drove there with Sophia, while the others arrived one after another.

Lydia had already reserved a private dining room.

Alexander showed up last, bringing only Ryan.

With more than twenty people in the editorial department, they split into two tables. Elena and Sophia were just about to take seats when Luna spoke up.

"Elena, you two can sit at the other table. We've already arranged this one."

She gestured toward the table beside them.

The other table was by the window and mostly filled with junior staff. Elena did not particularly care where she sat, so she pulled Sophia along and took seats there.

"Seriously, why does she get to sit there?" Sophia muttered under her breath. "She acts like she wants the whole world to know she's related to Lydia."

Sophia was Alexander's cousin and she had never made a show of it.

"It's fine. Food tastes the same wherever you sit," Elena said lightly.

In truth, she was relieved to be farther away. Thinking about last night still made her cheeks burn, and she was not exactly eager to face Alexander.

Not long after they sat down, the private room door opened. Lydia walked in first, smiling brightly as she led Alexander inside.

"Mr. Kingsley is here."

Everyone stood and applauded.

Elena had no choice but to stand as well. Alexander was about fifteen feet away, a faint smile on his face. "Please, have a seat. No need to make it formal."

Everyone sat back down.

"Mr. Kingsley, please sit here. Lydia saved this seat for you," Luna said sweetly, blinking as she pointed to the spot across from her.

"Luna..." Lydia said, feigning embarrassment.

Alexander glanced briefly toward Elena's table. She was not looking at him, her head lowered as she chatted with Sophia.

He handed his suit jacket to Ryan and took the seat Lydia had arranged.

The evening unfolded with the usual rounds of toasts. Alexander had a few glasses. His tolerance was not high, and color began to rise in his face.

He had not brought a driver. Ryan needed to drive him home later and could not drink.

Still, the staff's enthusiasm was hard to refuse. Even if it was just symbolic, one person after another stepped forward with raised glasses.

Lydia stood up and said with mock annoyance, "All right, no more drinks for Mr. Kingsley. I'll take this one for him. It's the thought that counts."

She took the glass from a subordinate and downed it in one smooth motion.

"Please don't start. There are too many people here. Have mercy."

"Come over."

Elena stared at the screen. What is he doing?

Her mouth suddenly felt dry.

Lydia kept trying to steer the conversation back to work, but Alexander did not respond immediately. That was when she noticed he was texting someone.

From her angle, she could not see the screen. She only saw that once he exited the chat, more messages came in, and the same contact stayed pinned at the top.

Alexander had pinned someone. The profile picture was unclear, but she saw him send a sticker. It looked playful. The other person had to be a woman.

Her fingers tightened around her glass. She had known Alexander for years and had never heard a single rumor linking him to any woman. That had always made her believe she had a chance.

Alexander sent several more messages.

With a quiet sigh, Elena poured herself some red wine and stood up, walking to the other table until she stopped in front of him.

The movement did not go unnoticed.

Every pair of eyes in the room turned toward her.