CHAPTER 183: CHAPTER 183: AZURE VAUGHN ANNOUNCES HER NEW IDENTITY

"Aunt, please don’t make it difficult for me," I replied after a moment of silence.

After all these years, I’ve given Henry countless chances, and he never cherished them.

My response brought a look of disappointment to Mrs. Preston’s face. She sighed, "Sigh, it’s his fault."

"Now it doesn’t make any sense to dwell on who’s right and wrong, Aunt. Henry isn’t a child anymore; he must be responsible for what he’s done," I said softly.

"Zoe, do you have someone you like?" Mrs. Preston suddenly asked.

I shook my head calmly, "No, but that doesn’t mean I’ll go back."

Mrs. Preston gave a bitter smile, "That’s not what I meant. I hope you can find your ideal partner soon, so Henry can give up."

I wish too, but the problem is I don’t know where my ideal partner is for now.

"Alright, Zoe." Mrs. Preston stood up, her expression much more serene now, "I understand your determination. I’m sorry for coming to you so suddenly and disturbing you today."

Apart from the Winter Tate incident, Mrs. Preston has been quite good to me in other aspects, so I didn’t have complete resentment towards her. Seeing her humbling herself for Henry, I felt both sympathy and helplessness.

After sending Mrs. Preston off, I immediately received a call from Henry.

"Did my mom come to see you?" Henry asked as soon as he spoke.

"She just left," I replied, "You knew she was coming to see me; why didn’t you stop her?"

Henry sounded a bit defeated, "She mentioned it to me. I told her not to bother you, but when I woke up, she was already gone."

He paused and then continued in a more subdued tone, "Anyway, don’t listen to what she said."

Of course, I wouldn’t listen. I’m not crazy.

Since he called just for this matter, once I answered him, there was nothing else to say, so I hung up.

Ten days after Henry was hospitalized, he recovered enough to be discharged, which I found out from the news. During those ten days, we hadn’t been in contact.

The reason behind the big fight between him and Leonard Lane was dug up by others. I was just sitting at home, yet out of nowhere, I was labeled as a "femme fatale."

The internet was abuzz with gossip, which I idly browsed through for a while; it was indeed quite absurd.

Someone said: I have a bold idea. Do you guys think Henry and his ex-wife are actually in a love-hate relationship, and Azure was just a tool Henry used to provoke his ex-wife, but things spiraled out of control?

Another person said: They were never seen together before they divorced, and now Mr. Preston wants to rekindle the past?

Yet another person chimed in: A prodigal son returned is worth more than gold!

My five-year marriage with Henry was indeed awkward, and now being brought up again, everyone knew the names Henry and Azure, but for me, I was just called "his ex-wife."

Such high-society gossip is always subject to analysis and scrutiny, and I even found it a bit amusing myself.

Fortunately, Azure quickly stepped in to divert the attention away from me.

On the second day of Henry’s release from the hospital, she announced to the public her current status as the goddaughter of Mystique Group’s vice president, Abner, and that she controls a two-billion-dollar investment fund.

This announcement caused quite a sensation.

The once pure girl with an ordinary family background was embroiled in a convoluted story with a man like Henry, only to have her mask torn off and vanish while on the brink of death.

Now she re-emerges as a wealthy heiress, boldly announcing her unwavering love for Henry.

The idle netizens, restless for excitement, quickly concocted short stories based on this background and spread them everywhere.

It was inevitable that people started comparing Azure to me, even going so far as to create a comparison chart.

"What nonsense!" My dad exclaimed in anger after reading some of the news, "Henry got hurt because of his own childish impulsiveness. What does it have to do with my Zoe? Femme fatale, really?"

"Dad, don’t be angry. There are lots of opinions online; don’t take it seriously." I hurried to reassure my dad.

He snorted in response, "Some people are still clear-headed, remembering the things Henry did, and as for that Azure, she’s not a good girl either."

There were still people supporting me, but Azure must’ve hired a lot of internet trolls since her announcement of her new status. Many were heaping praise on her for being pure, beautiful, and kind, claiming she was framed by me. After all, how could a girl from an ordinary family compete with a wealthy bitter woman?

These comments didn’t bother me and didn’t affect my life.

Besides my parents and Crystal, who couldn’t help but express their indignation on my behalf, life remained calm.

"Miss Hathaway, there’s a letter for you." That day, Lane brought in a letter for me.

Who would send me a letter in this day and age? I took the envelope curiously, and upon opening it, found a very exquisite invitation.

After reading the contents, all the curiosity vanished, leaving me speechless.

It turned out the invitation was from Azure, inviting me to a business banquet she was hosting.

I tossed the invitation into the trash, having no intention of attending.

Just then, Ivan called.

"What are you up to?" Ivan hadn’t called in quite some time. From the time Henry was hospitalized to his discharge, Ivan never visited him, as if he’d disappeared for a while and then suddenly reappeared.

Sometimes I would secretly wonder, does he really like me? Why do I often feel like he doesn’t?

At the same time, I hoped that my suspicions were true so that we could just be friends instead of a couple.

I casually replied, "Nothing much. What made you call me out of the blue?"

There was a moment of silence before his somewhat cheerful laughter came through, "Why? Mad that I haven’t contacted you?"

"No, it’s just that Henry was hospitalized not long ago, and I heard you didn’t visit him. Are things that serious between you two?" I couldn’t help bringing up the topic.

The amusement in Ivan’s voice disappeared, reverting to his usual cool tone, "Are you asking out of concern for me or for him?"

What kind of question is that? Can’t it just be out of plain curiosity?

I answered leisurely, "Neither, just curious."

"I had family matters to attend to recently and didn’t have time. I just returned to work at the hospital," Ivan’s reply was simple, clearly uninterested in elaborating, "I knew about his injury, Silas told me."

"Ivan, you’ve been friends with Henry for so many years. Don’t give up on that friendship for anyone; no one is worth driving a wedge between you two, understand?" I earnestly spoke my mind.

Ivan didn’t respond to my statement but instead smoothly transitioned to another topic, "Are you free tonight? I need a dance partner."

"A dance partner? You don’t mean you’re attending Azure’s banquet, do you?" My intuition strongly suggested it was indeed the case; I was utterly astonished.

"Yes, Azure sent invitations to several of us, including Henry. He should be going too." Ivan calmly replied.