Crystal and the others still don’t know about my situation. I told Ivan not to tell Silas, so they basically won’t find out.
She’s still pregnant, and I don’t want to upset her too much.
While I was chatting with Ivan, a nurse ca in to give an IV. As the door opened, I saw Henry standing at the entrance.
He cos every day, but my parents won’t let him in, and I don’t want to see him anymore.
After the nurse finished the IV and left, I asked, "How’s Azure doing?"
"Her condition is stable, but I heard she can’t go to Country D for now and needs to be observed for a while longer," Ivan replied.
I nodded and didn’t say anything more. So plans I’ll wait to discuss after I return ho.
The next day, I was discharged and returned ho with my parents. Sherman will handle my resignation and moving out.
Before boarding the plane, Ivan sent a ssage: I’ll return ho in a while too, wait for .
I replied: Okay.
When I got ho, it was already afternoon. My mom started preparing so food, and my dad watched TV with .
I watched those humorous variety shows, but I couldn’t laugh at all, just found myself zoning out.
After a while, I took out my phone and contacted Crystal: Crystal, do you know any dia reporters? Recomnd one to .
Crystal didn’t know what I wanted to do, but she still forwarded a reporter’s WeChat contact. His na is Ryan Rhodes, and he loves to chase all kinds of entertainnt and social news. Much of Henry’s gossip was written by him.
I never expected that one day I’d be leaking news about Henry to a reporter.
Isn’t Azure supposed to have a heart problem? I want to give her a good shock.
After chatting for a while, I sent an audio clip to Ryan. It was recorded when Azure visited my hospital room.
Ever since seeing through Azure’s true nature, every ti I t her alone, I would pre-emptively turn on the recorder on my phone.
Soon, Ryan replied with a ssage: Got it!
I could have given this audio directly to Henry to prove Azure’s manipulations, but if he continued to defend her, it would hinder my plans to leak the information.
Just finished chatting with Ryan, Crystal called. I thought she would ask why I contacted a reporter, but she already knew about my miscarriage.
"Zoe, what happened? Were you pregnant before? How co none of us knew? It’s that bitch Azure who caused your miscarriage, right? Damn it, Henry’s still defending her?!" Crystal blurted out, clearly upset.
"Crystal, you’re pregnant, don’t get too worked up. I’m back now, I’m at ho, everything’s fine," I reassured her, worried about her health.
"Azure ssaged Silas about your situation. I saw it on his phone. What’s her deal?!" Crystal was infuriated.
I clenched my fists. Azure’s shalessness exceeded my imagination. She knew Crystal and I are like sisters and that Crystal is pregnant, yet she deliberately ssaged Silas about my miscarriage. Was she not afraid of causing Crystal distress?
I truly couldn’t fathom soone being so disgusting—a girl who appears innocent and pure, yet is more dangerous than a venomous snake, always planning to harm others.
I spent quite so ti comforting Crystal, not wanting my situation to affect her unborn child.
After hanging up, my hatred for Azure reached a new peak.
And my hatred for Henry burned intensely as well.
I asked Ryan to use the recording as a basis to write an article and send it to for review. Three days later, he had it ready.
anwhile, Ivan sent a ssage saying that Azure couldn’t go to Country D for surgery imdiately, and would soon be transferred back here for ongoing regular checkups and treatnt at her previous heart hospital.
I was considering my next move when Leah called.
"Zoe, I’m speechless!" she exclaid in exasperation. "Azure’s heart condition is now the talk of University A. The school is even organizing a fundraiser, especially the music departnt people—they can’t seem to tell right from wrong!"
"A fundraiser? Does she need donations with Henry in the picture?" I sneered.
"Soone spread a rumor that she has a clean relationship with Henry, and that he’s the one pursuing her. She’s supposedly refused his financial support, and many now think she’s really noble. Even those who criticized her before are starting to sympathize with her," Leah replied.
Azure, for all her cunning, is particularly concerned about her reputation. Otherwise, she couldn’t possibly have so many people around her willing to believe her. From certain angles, she’s a master of disguising herself—a perforr at heart, always winning over a majority of people.
As long as Henry doesn’t step up to clarify, the stories being spread will continue to be accepted as truth, slowly washing away the bad reputation attached to Azure.
She might even use this heart condition as future leverage to justify being with Henry, claiming he moved her with his unwavering dedication.
I know that Henry wouldn’t co forward to clarify.
"Many people don’t know the truth and only see the surface, so they’re indecisive. But that’s okay—the higher you rise, the harder you fall," I said calmly.
"She’s said she plans to return to school in a few days, intending to donate the raised funds back to the school to support so outstanding students in need," Leah said, taking a deep breath. "I’ve truly co to understand what they an by ’white lotus’."
"If she’s going to school, will there be a welco party for her?" I spotted an opportunity.
Leah replied, "They definitely will. Her social popularity has spiked because of Henry, and she’s returned from studying abroad only due to illness. Being so generous with the donations, the school will surely want to spotlight and comnd her."
I had the outline of a plan forming in my mind.
As expected, Azure returned the very next day. To my surprise, Henry wasn’t in the airport photos—instead, it was Fern and Joy alongside her.
The dia is mainly interested in Azure because of Henry. Many female celebrities previously boosted their exposure by leveraging their connection with him.
Online comnts were quite interesting as well.
"Before: Howrecker! After knowing Azure was forced and has a severe heart condition: I feel so guilty!"
"She probably hasn’t accepted Henry; otherwise, why would she need donations?"
"Everyone, don’t worry. For the sins of those who once scolded her, I will strike a wooden fish to lessen them. Amitabha Buddha."
"Good person above, karma 1."
"Azure’s relatives and friends all speak highly of her—she can’t be that bad, right?"
I closed the page, expressionless, and then opened the recorder, searching through the files.
A sudden incoming call interrupted my edits—it was Henry’s number, both unfamiliar and familiar.
I used to hope so much for a call from him, just to chat or even just listen to monologue.
Now, I hate him deeply, regretting my foolish infatuation a thousand tis over.
After rejecting the call, a text ssage from him popped up: I’m at your doorstep; let’s talk.
Could he have returned before Azure?
I replied with one word: Leave.
After sending it, I was about to block him, but then another ssage ca in: Don’t you want to know why I kept protecting her? Co out, and I’ll tell you.
Henry really understood —he knew I didn’t care about anything now except that mystery.
If his feelings for Azure aren’t love, then what are they? Was it a life-saving act like in TV dramas?
My mom was making chicken soup for ; my dad wasn’t coming ho for lunch. The house was empty, with no one else around. I changed my shoes and went out.
Henry’s car was parked at the gate, its sleek curves gleaming in the sunlight. He was waiting for inside.
I got into the passenger seat and spoke coldly, "So, now you can tell ."
"Azure had a heart transplant before. If she needs another transplant soon, the complexity and risk of the surgery will be much higher," Henry’s voice retained its usual rich and magnetic quality, his tone light.
"Don’t you think that’s a ridiculous excuse?" I sneered, "Afraid I won’t understand how worried and sympathetic you are towards her?"
Henry frowned, "Must you speak like that?"
"What’s wrong with what I’m saying?" I looked at him coolly, "Henry, if killing weren’t illegal, I’d have killed both you and Azure by now. You’re both murderers of my child!"
As soon as I finished, Henry slamd the steering wheel violently, anger he couldn’t suppress coursing through him. "That was my child too, Zoe!"
"For three months you didn’t breathe a word to . I was kept in the dark like a fool. Did you ever give the chance to care for you? To handle things? You only told after we lost the child, expecting to accept that in complete ignorance. Am I really that sinful?!"
My heart wrenched, a dull pain throbbing, as I forced a smile, "Don’t you have Azure?"
"I wanted the child, not her!" Henry’s fury poured out, a long-bottled storm finally unleashed.
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