"Is that so?" Zoe Lancaster gave a soft, mocking laugh. "If the Jennings family steps forward to expose your two-timing, don’t you think this ’noble’ fiancé of yours would find out? You’re heavily involved with him on one hand, while sneaking into other men’s beds on the other. Would his family ever accept someone like you? Riley Lancaster, just admit your defeat."
Riley’s eyes turned red with fury.
Beside her, Wendy Lawrence’s expression changed drastically. Her tone turned sharp and aggressive. "Who do you think you are, viciously cursing your sister like this? It’s still better than you failing to secure your place with the Quincy family and ending up with nothing! Let’s see how high you can marry without Preston Quincy!"
In Wendy’s eyes, Zoe simply didn’t know what was good for her.
Preston was absolutely devoted to her. So what if she slept with him once? Who was she putting on this chaste martyr act for?
It was only because the Quincy family didn’t mind her background. Looking at all the wealthy, aristocratic families in Kingsford, Zoe wouldn’t even be able to touch their thresholds in this lifetime!
Naturally, she couldn’t compare to her daughter!
Zoe’s eyes were cold, concealing a hint of mockery.
This was how narrow-minded women were. They pinned a woman’s entire value on whether she could marry an excellent husband, spending their whole lives revolving around men. It was both pathetic and laughable.
She couldn’t be bothered to argue. Instead, she turned to Martin Lancaster. "You called me back because you suspect me, don’t you?"
Martin opened his mouth to speak. "No, I just feel this matter is too significant and involves too many people. I thought it would be best to rule out all possibilities."
His hypocritical excuse sent a chill creeping through Zoe’s heart, inch by inch.
It made sense. This man hadn’t cared about her or her mother in a long time; how could his heart ever be in the right place?
"It has nothing to do with me," she said coldly. "I’m not like Riley. Even if I’m bad, I’ll be bad out in the open. I can’t be a rat hiding in the gutter."
With that, she turned and headed for the door.
Perhaps her words had stung Riley, as she recklessly screamed at Zoe’s back, "You’re just a bastard! You’ve monopolized my dad for so many years! What right do you have to compete with me? What right do you have to judge me?!"
Zoe didn’t stop walking until she got into her car.
Her face remained impassive as she started the engine. Her eyes were icy and completely devoid of warmth as she stared at the road ahead, though her mind was undeniably in turmoil.
"A bastard?" she wondered.
She couldn’t let that word go. She had no idea what Riley meant by it.
Still, it was fine.
Riley’s reputation was undoubtedly ruined. The Jennings family had openly declared they didn’t want an unfaithful, fickle daughter-in-law. They were just short of outright saying, "Get that filthy trash out of here," but everyone knew exactly what they meant.
After all, Riley was the daughter of a mistress and had endured her fair share of cold shoulders in the elite wives’ social circles over the years. That was why she had frantically tried to mold herself into a noble socialite, putting in immense effort and always acting dignified and generous—all just to shake off the label of a mistress’s daughter.
Now, she had completely ruined a good hand of cards. Her facade had completely crashed. Plenty of people would be gossiping behind her back.
Wendy’s hopes of Riley marrying into a prestigious family were probably dashed for good.
In one fell swoop, the vicious mother-daughter duo had been thoroughly put in their place.
Zoe felt a sense of satisfaction. She didn’t know which good Samaritan had taken those photos and sent them to both families, but it was certainly a case of karma.
She didn’t return to the apartment.
Intentionally avoiding Simon Hawthorne, she drove straight to her Aunt Claire’s house.
When Claire Sutton saw Zoe, she instinctively looked behind her. "Where’s Simon? Why are you here alone?"
Zoe smiled, linking her arm through Claire’s and walking inside. "He’s busy with work. I had some free time, so I came to see you guys. Do you mind if I stay here for a few days, Aunt Claire?"
Claire affectionately patted her head. "This is your home. You can stay as long as you want. Having you right in front of me puts my mind at ease."
Zoe hugged her aunt and swayed slightly, acting spoiled. "Then I want a bowl of your clear broth noodles. I’m hungry."
Claire checked the time. It was almost nine o’clock. She immediately put on a serious face. "You still haven’t eaten this late? I’ll make it for you right now."
Zoe finally sat down at the table, staring blankly at the woman bustling about in the kitchen.
Growing up lacking affection, she had always envied those children who had loving parents by their side. Because of that, when she loved someone for the first time, she gave her heart unconditionally, longing for a happy little family of her own. But why did it have to be like this for her?
Perhaps she was truly destined to be alienated from her family.
No matter what kind of love it was, it seemed she couldn’t have it.
Martin had broken her heart. Even though she hadn’t said it today, she was deeply hurt.
Zoe rubbed her temples, a headache coming on.
Autumn Linden came out of her room and, seeing Zoe, happily threw herself at her. "Zoe! Why do you look so pale? Did you get into a fight?"
The young girl was very observant.
"No," Zoe quickly denied. "I’m just exhausted from work. It’s nothing."
Autumn cupped her face and studied her for a long moment before saying, "I think you’re too tense. How about this? It’s my birthday in a few days. Come out and have fun with me! My classmates have always been curious about how pretty my beautiful sister is. Come show off for me!"
Zoe pinched the young girl’s cheek. "Look at you, so young and already so vain."
It was true; Autumn’s birthday was coming up, and Zoe hadn’t even had time to buy a present yet.
Autumn pouted and squirmed away. "It’s the truth! Why shouldn’t I show off when I have such a gorgeous sister? It makes me look so good!"
Amused, Zoe ruffled the girl’s hair. "Alright, alright. Where are you planning to go for your birthday?"
Autumn sat down. "My classmate said they booked a private room to sing and stuff."
Zoe didn’t say anything to that. Being in one’s early twenties was the perfect age to be playful. Autumn had always been a top student with a sweet, obedient personality. Now that she was in college, she deserved to let loose and have fun. Wasn’t that what youth was all about?
After finishing her noodles, Zoe went straight to bed. She was simply too exhausted from the past two days.
Over the next few days, Zoe continued to stay at Claire’s place.
Despite her many excuses, Claire still noticed that something was wrong. She pulled Zoe aside, her face full of worry. "Don’t hide it from me. Did you two get into a fight? You aren’t going home, Simon hasn’t come over, and I haven’t even seen you call each other. Is it really that serious? What married couple doesn’t argue? When he gives you a way to step down gracefully, just take it. Don’t let things get too tense, okay?"
Zoe gave a vague reply. "It’s nothing. Don’t worry, and stop overthinking it."
Claire wouldn’t let it go. "Then why hasn’t he called you?"
Zoe thought to herself, "That’s true. It’s been days. Most likely, he’s keeping Peyton Joyce company, so he hasn’t even thought of me."
She couldn’t exactly tell Claire her true thoughts, so she just grabbed Autumn and headed for the door. "Aunt Claire, we’re off to celebrate her birthday! We’re going to be late. I’ll talk to you later!"
She fled as fast as she could.
Upon arriving at the address Autumn’s classmate had provided, Zoe’s expression turned a bit strange.
"Your classmate... booked this place?"
It was actually Riverbend Tavern.
Autumn nodded. "My roommate’s boyfriend booked it. I don’t really know much about it. Is there something wrong with this place?"
Zoe pursed her lips.
This was Sean Sheffield’s territory, and Simon was a regular.
It seemed her roommate’s boyfriend belonged to the wealthy elite circle, too.
"Zoe?"
Zoe snapped out of her daze. "Let’s go."
For a split second, she found herself wondering if she might run into Simon here.
She actually... held onto that thought for a fleeting moment.