Sham Marriage Quit Real Heiress Strikes Back novel Chapter 71

"Miss Sterling."

Ryan handed something over.

Elena looked up. It was a bottle of water and a small pack of allergy medicine.

Seeing the confusion in her eyes, Ryan smiled. "Mr. Kingsley asked me to grab these. He said when you drink, your face tends to flush pretty fast, so it might be a mild alcohol allergy. If you start feeling off, take one."

"Thank you." Elena accepted them.

A moment later, the rear door opened. A faint scent of whiskey drifted in as Alexander got into the car.

He must have had a few more drinks after she left the ballroom, because his face looked even more flushed. The second he sat down, his head tipped sideways and came to rest against Elena's shoulder.

Her back stiffened, and she did not dare move.

She was just about to tell Ryan to start driving when someone knocked on the window.

Through the glass, Elena saw who it was.

It was Lydia.

Even though she knew Lydia could not see clearly inside, Elena's heart still skipped. Instinctively, she grabbed Alexander's suit jacket and draped it over herself, wrapping it tightly around her shoulders and upper body as if that could erase her presence.

Outside the car, Lydia waited.

Luna's words kept replaying in her mind. She refused to believe Alexander felt nothing for her.

She had always considered herself strong professionally and attractive enough to stand out.

And after all these years by his side, there was no way he had not noticed how she felt.

If she could just take the first step, maybe things would turn out differently than she expected.

The window lowered only a narrow crack.

Lydia could not see much inside, only Alexander's eyes in the dim light.

"What's up?" he asked.

Her palms were damp. She forced a soft smile. "I had a little too much to drink. We're heading the same way, right? Could I catch a ride?"

She waited.

Alexander finally responded. He lowered the window a little more and said calmly, "Not tonight."

Lydia's smile froze.

Now she could see more. A woman was lying across Alexander's lap, wrapped in his jacket. The car lights were off, and the shadows only made the scene look more intimate.

"I'm sorry, I didn't mean to—"

Before she could finish, the window slid up.

The car pulled away right in front of her.

Inside, Elena slowly lifted her head and let out a long breath. Lydia had nearly scared her to death.

Alexander leaned back against the seat, watching her with an unreadable smile.

Elena handed his jacket back to him and looked out the window as if nothing had happened. The rest of the ride passed in silence.

They got out of the car, went upstairs, and as they stepped out of the elevator, Alexander stumbled slightly. Elena reached out immediately to steady him.

"Are you okay?"

It sounds like a date.

Alexander adjusted his tie and glanced at her, a hint of amusement in his eyes.

"Got it."

She felt oddly self-conscious.

It was Thursday. He had told her earlier about the dinner he wanted her to attend with him.

They left separately. Elena drove to the office, and the moment she sat down, Sophia leaned over with that same knowing look from yesterday.

"What?"

Elena instinctively touched her neck. She had checked carefully before leaving and there were no marks.

"Did you hear?"

Sophia lowered her voice, eyes sparkling.

"What?"

"Apparently Lydia tried to confess to Alexander last night, and he completely brushed her off."

Elena immediately thought of Lydia knocking on Alexander's window. Only she, Alexander, and Ryan had been there. How did Sophia know?

Seeing her confusion, Sophia grinned. "You'd be surprised. Some people act all sweet and loyal on the surface, but they're the ones spreading stories behind your back."

As she spoke, she glanced toward Luna.

Elena understood.

Is Luna the one who let it slip?