The deeper Zooey scrolled, the more blatant the insinuations became.
Candy had snapped Aaron entering a room at a massage parlor, his arms around a female therapist, caught in the act.
Zooey gripped her phone tightly, her eyes fixed on the screen, her teeth clenched.
Despite the low murmurs of gossip around her, the whispers still pricked at her ears, amplifying her embarrassment.
Finally, she put her phone down and glared at Chloe. "These photos can be doctored. Why should I believe you?"
With the prevalence of celebrity scandal pics and AI-generated images online, she questioned the authenticity of it all.
"Chloe, what's your angle in creating these fakes?"
Zooey's voice rose deliberately, aiming to let everyone overhear that the photos were fabricated, hoping to salvage what little dignity she had left.
Chloe shook her head, seeing the absurdity in Zooey's defense. "If I were fabricating these, I would've approached you or Aaron for a payoff right after making them. Why wait until now to release them?"
Chloe observed Zooey, who could barely muster a response and smirked. "If you hadn't tried to provoke me, I would've kept these photos hidden forever."
Zooey fell silent, her face reflecting the dawning realization. She finally waved her hand dismissively. "So what if there are photos? All men cheat. Michael was with other women during your marriage. Men are like that; it's no big deal."
Chloe was torn between calling her magnanimous or foolish.
But it made sense—Zooey had always relied on Aaron and wasn't ready to face the truth.
"Chloe, don't think I don't see through you. You're doing this because you dislike Cathy and Victoria, and since I'm Victoria's friend, you're targeting me!"
Chloe chuckled, "Sorry, but that sounds like your issue, not mine. Though you're not entirely wrong, this mess does involve Cathy and Victoria. You remember this club, don't you? Cathy's been here before."
Zooey was initially confused, but then it clicked.
Chloe's smile widened as she continued, "Cathy and your husband were at this massage parlor on the same day. Do you think Cathy didn't know about it?"
If Cathy knew, then Victoria must have, too.
She might even have known this a long time ago.
This meant Victoria, Zooey's good friend, had been aware of her husband's infidelity all along and never said a word.
Zooey was stunned. "Don't try to drive a wedge between us!"
"I didn't, Mrs. Landry. But if you want to know more, ask your friend about the goings-on at Kuangmaid Port," Chloe said smoothly.
Kuangmaid Port had always been a hub for import-export trade, dealing in all kinds of goods sent overseas.
Aaron's company was involved in this trade, and several of the Landry family's cruise ships were docked there.
Zooey was aware that the ships from Kuangmaid Port had previously been used to smuggle alcohol and cigarettes.
Aaron had always barred her from visiting, and even if she tried to sneak a look, the port staff would catch her and send her back.
Comments
The readers' comments on the novel: After Divorcing my Captain Husband (Chloe and Michael)
Update pls~...
Why no update ?...