Sham Marriage Quit Real Heiress Strikes Back novel Chapter 83

Nathan came today because he wanted to use this moment to get Elena to finally give in, and he pressed her hand against his chest as he said, "It's fine, I can take care of you."

Is he seriously getting carried away with his own act?

Elena tried to pull her hand back, but Nathan tightened his grip, and she could not get free.

The soft, adoring look in his eyes made her stomach turn.

Elena's irritation flared, and she was about to snap when a man's voice cut in smoothly, "I've been hearing that Nathan's been pretty close with the Hart family's golden girl lately, so is that why Elena doesn't want to have a baby?"

Nathan's expression soured as he turned toward the voice.

Edmund Grayson walked over, his clean-cut, good-looking face wearing a half-smile that did not reach his eyes.

He ignored Nathan's darkening stare and sat down beside Arthur.

The stories about Nathan and Camille had already spread all over Grayhaven.

Most people would not dare mention it out loud because of the Hawthorne family's reputation, but Edmund was famously reckless, and as the only heir of the Grayson family, he was not someone people dared to offend.

Now that he had brought up Camille so casually, murmurs rippled through the nearby guests.

The Hawthorne family members looked visibly uncomfortable.

Arthur shot his grandson a warning look. "Where have you been, and why do you show up running your mouth like this?"

Edmund leaned back, one ankle propped over the other knee as he said, "I'm not making things up. In my experience, and I've dated more than a dozen women, when a woman doesn't want to have a man's kid, it's usually because the man did something that made her feel miserable."

He glanced toward Elena as he continued, "If I were Elena, I'd call it a win if I didn't file for divorce after a mess like this."

The air turned even more awkward.

Most people looked at Elena with sympathy, while the looks aimed at Nathan carried open contempt.

Elena found it strange.

She had seen Edmund a few times, but they had never actually spoken, so she could not understand why he was suddenly taking shots at Nathan on her behalf.

Arthur could not control his grandson's mouth, so he hurried to steer the conversation elsewhere, and luckily, a staff member arrived at that moment to announce that it was time to cut the cake, which finally eased the tension.

Elena did not enjoy being in the center of a crowd, so she wanted to find somewhere quiet to breathe, but Nathan refused to let go of her hand as he said, "Come with me, I want to show you something."

Elena was forced along as he pulled her out of the Grayson living room and into the backyard garden.

Up ahead, a cluster of people stood in the way, blocking her view as they chatted excitedly about something.

A thread of unease rose in Elena's chest, and she asked, "Where are you taking me?"

"To meet someone," Nathan said.

Elena's eyes widened slightly. Alexander is here too?

Alexander's expression stayed cool and unreadable, and he did not respond.

Nathan pulled Elena down to sit.

"Elena heard you were here and asked me to come say hi," Nathan said, then looked around as if it were casual. "How come your fiancée isn't here?"

Elena's pupils tightened slightly.

This bastard isn't here to talk business at all, so why is he heading straight for Alexander's fiancée?

The probing intent was almost painfully obvious.

Elena worried Alexander might say something he should not, so she glanced at him without thinking, and her eyes met his.

Nathan caught the exchange too, even though he looked away quickly.

"She's busy," Alexander said.

Nathan did not let it go. "I'm curious, who is she? Is it someone we know? If you don't mind sharing, we can at least be ready with a wedding gift?"

Nathan kept pushing the question.

Sophia finally snapped, "Nathan, big social night for you, and you didn't bring Camille?"