Sham Marriage Quit Real Heiress Strikes Back novel Chapter 80

"Hey, what are you doing? Still stuck with work?" Elena asked sweetly.

On the other end, there was rustling, uneven breathing. "Yeah... something came up," Nathan replied.

"I thought you left already. Are you still in the yard? I'll come find you?"

"...No need."

"I'm already on my way."

The noise on the other end got louder. If she listened closely, she could almost hear Camille's faint, breathy sounds slipping through.

Nathan hurriedly pulled himself together, throwing on his clothes and fastening his belt before rushing out through the back.

Right on cue, Elena turned the corner into the backyard and saw him stepping out, looking slightly flustered.

"What's wrong?" she asked, ending the call and walking up to him. "Why do you look so flushed?"

Nathan forced a smile. "Nothing. I just used the bathroom out back."

"Okay," Elena said, as if she believed him. "Stay for dinner tonight, alright? I don't want to sit around by myself."

She had no intention of wasting this perfect chance to get under Camille's skin.

Nathan agreed, taking her hand. "Sure."

They walked back inside together, hand in hand.

Camille came downstairs not long after, now changed into an off-shoulder shirt. The mark on her collarbone was impossible to miss.

Elena noticed it immediately. And more importantly, it was clearly meant for her to notice.

She played along. "What happened to your neck?"

She tilted her head, pretending not to recognize it. Nathan saw it too, shooting Camille a warning look.

Camille casually touched the mark. "Oh, nothing. I left the window open and got bitten by a mosquito. So annoying."

Elena nearly gagged. Soon, dinner was ready.

Most of the dishes were Camille's favorites. Only a couple were added for Elena, likely at Richard's request.

Nathan sat beside Elena.

She leaned slightly toward him, handing him her bowl. "Can you get me some soup? I can't quite reach."

Lyra stepped forward. "I can help you with that."

Elena waved her off with a smile. "It's okay. Nathan's right here. He's trying to make it up to me, so I should give him the chance, right?"

Lyra hesitated, glancing at Catherine and Camille, then stepped back.

Under Camille's furious stare, Nathan took the bowl and ladled some chicken soup for Elena.

Interesting.

She had been dressed lightly, and the hot soup had splashed directly onto her exposed skin.

"Elena, did you do that on purpose?"

"On purpose?" Elena blinked, confused. "I was just stretching my legs. How was I supposed to know your legs were stretched out that far? Actually, why were they over here in the first place?"

Her eyes moved between Nathan and Camille, full of innocent curiosity.

Nathan's earlier excitement vanished instantly under that question. Camille has really gone too far this time. Elena is sitting right there, and she still dares to play footsie under the table?

"What do you mean?" Camille snapped. "You can move your legs, but I can't?"

"That's enough," Richard cut in sharply. "If you're eating, then eat properly. Camille, Elena doesn't come back often. Stop acting childish."

He had already figured out what Camille had been doing.

And frankly, it surprised him.

She always seemed well-behaved, yet this was completely out of line.

Camille bit back her anger, not daring to argue, and sat back down. Catherine grabbed napkins, helping clean the soup off her.

Then Richard turned to Elena and Nathan.

"Elena, Nathan, you've heard about Alexander getting married, right? Any idea who the woman is?"