Sham Marriage Quit Real Heiress Strikes Back novel Chapter 84

Sophia did not give Nathan an inch.

After being publicly embarrassed again and again, Nathan's face tightened, but because Sophia was part of the Kingsley family, he forced a smile and said, "Those gossip magazines make things up out of thin air. Camille and I grew up together, we're good friends, so don't say things like that, because my wife might get upset, and I just barely managed to smooth things over lately."

As he spoke, he deliberately lifted Elena's hand and held it in a show of intimacy.

Elena felt Alexander's gaze turn colder by a degree.

Sophia had reached her limit.

This cheating liar had deceived Elena for five years and used her, and now he was playing the devoted husband like it meant something.

She wanted to tear the mask off his face, but just as she was about to speak, Alexander flicked his eyes toward her.

Sophia immediately went quiet.

Alexander spoke evenly, but the edge was clear. "So you came looking for me just to ask about my fiancée? Hawthorne Group's business has expanded into personal lives now?"

The air pressed down, heavy and uncomfortable, yet Nathan still felt like something about Elena and Alexander was off.

"Not really," Nathan said, forcing a casual tone. "I just saw her at the auction before, and I didn't get the chance to say hello."

"Then I'll let you," Alexander replied without hesitation.

Right in front of Nathan, he took out his phone and placed the call.

Elena went rigid. Is Alexander out of his mind? He is actually calling?

Not only did he call, he turned on speaker.

Elena sat there, her nerves stretched thin, half expecting her phone to start ringing next, but it didn't.

Alexander's call rang for a moment, then connected.

"Alexander?" A gentle woman's voice came through the speaker.

"Were you asleep?" Alexander asked, his tone casual, and the sharpness in his expression softened into something unexpectedly warm.

"I was about to be," she replied with a small laugh. "I just got back. What's up?"

"Someone from Hawthorne Group asked why you weren't here today," Alexander said, his gaze sweeping over Nathan and Elena.

"I really was swamped today," the woman said, still sounding pleasant. "Next time, if I get the chance, I will."

They exchanged a couple more polite lines, and Alexander ended the call.

Nathan's heart finally dropped back into place. The idea that he had been suspecting Elena and Alexander of being involved suddenly felt ridiculous, and he mocked himself internally.

Alexander would never want Elena.

Nathan did not dare push her further. He stubbed out the cigarette and softened his voice again. "What are you even thinking? Why would your husband doubt you?"

"I'm going to the restroom," Elena said, already turning away. "I need a minute to calm down."

She did not want to be near Nathan for another second, so she left the gazebo.

Nathan knew he was in the wrong, and he was afraid of making her angrier, so he did not follow.

Elena splashed water on her face in the restroom. Only afterward did she realize her back was soaked in sweat.

She was surprised.

Alexander had actually played along with her fake-marriage act.

With his personality, after Nathan's needling and provocation, Alexander should have ripped the whole thing open and made their relationship clear, but he had not done it.

Then again, if he had, it probably would not have mattered, and she could not deny that she would have enjoyed the look on Nathan's face.

When she counted the days, there were fewer than five left until her wedding with Alexander.

Elena drew in a steady breath and left the restroom. To get back to the main hall, she had to walk down the corridor.

Just as she reached the corner, a hand shot out and grabbed her wrist.