"...Besides, Darcy is my sister in name, and your ex. Both ethically and emotionally, we can't push it too far." Susan immediately chimed in, nudging John, "Exactly. She is your biological daughter after all, John. You'll step in and handle this, won't you?" John pointed at himself, baffled. "Huh, me?" Why him again?! Since the last incident where he'd offended Darcy, landed in jail, and lost five million dollars, John had finally learned his lesson. Besides, he'd found a new, lucrative sideline and was far too busy to bother with Ione and Darcy. Under Susan's sharp glare, he reluctantly agreed. "Oh... right. Okay." Inwardly, however, he was calculating his escape. He'd made enough money. Just one more deal to finalize, and he could disappear for good. A life of luxury awaited. Now's the perfect time to vanish. Hearing Susan and Zora worry about Darcy like that, Zane's expression softened. "Zora, Mrs. Parker, you're both too kind. Always thinking of others." He lowered his gaze. "But honestly, if it really is Darcy behind this, no need to hold back. She's mouthed off again and again. It's time she got a lesson." Zora's eyes gleamed. "Mm, don't worry. I know exactly what to do." With the toasts canceled, Zora changed back into her regular clothes. Staying here wouldn't help, and it'd make it harder for the two of them to plan, so Zora, Susan, and John headed home. The three slipped out the hotel's back door. John tried to get into the same car as Zora and Susan, but Susan shot him a venomous look."You just stood there like a spineless coward while they hit Zora! Are you blind? You didn't even dare to step in and defend us! What use are you?!" John whined, "But you said everyone there was powerful, that I should be careful not to embarrass us in front of the Vances!" Susan pressed a hand to her chest. "You idiot! Your wife and daughter were being assaulted, and you're worried about saving face?!" The more she thought about it, the angrier she got. "Forget it. Take a cab. I don't want to look at you right now." This suited John just fine. He wasn't in a hurry to go home anyway. Once inside the car, Susan's face turned grim. "The Vance family's PR worked. The trending topics are gone, and the posts are being taken down. Quick action, at least. Your reputation might survive." She paused, her voice dropping. "But you need to think hard. Who's really behind this?" Back at the hotel, they'd both pointed the finger at Darcy.But privately, they knew Darcy alone—or even Darcy with her limited resources—couldn't have uncovered those particular secrets. Someone else was pulling strings. Zora bit her lip. "I can't be sure about the rest, but those photos—I'm certain they came from the Paradise Club." Susan sighed, disapproval etched on her face. "I told you to control yourself. The engagement was just days away!" Zora leaned back in the seat, giving her mother a pointed look. "Don't judge me, Mom. You and that new assistant couldn't hold back either, right? Women have needs at our age. I understand you, so please understand me." Her voice turned bitter. "Besides, it's all Zane's fault, the useless man! If he were any good in bed, would I need to look elsewhere?!" Susan was startled. How did Zora know about her and the new assistant? Whatever. That wasn't the priority now."Fine. Just focus on dealing with these 'rumors,'" Susan said tersely. Zora nodded. "Got it." She instructed the driver to stop up ahead. After getting out, she put on a mask and a hat and headed straight for the Paradise Club. Standing in the lobby, Rocco spotted Zora storming in. He immediately sent a quick text to Lucian, then scurried over to her. "Dr. Moss! What a surprise. I heard today was your big day." Zora didn't hesitate; she slapped him across the face. "Take me to your boss. Now!" Rocco, having anticipated this, put on a pitiful expression. "Yes, yes, of course! Please, calm down. Right this way." In the general manager's office, Vince was all obsequious smiles. "Dr. Moss! To what do we owe the honor? Please, have a seat!" Zora remained standing. She pulled up the saved photos on her phone and shoved it in front of Vince and Rocco."This is your so-called top-level confidentiality? How the hell did these photos leak?" Vince and Rocco exchanged a look and launched into their performance—or rather, their defense. "Dr. Moss, judging by the camera angle, this definitely wasn't from a hidden room camera. It looks more like... a cell phone shot." "A cell phone? So you're saying it was your guy, and the club's off the hook?" Zora sneered. "Seems likely. Don't worry, Dr. Moss. I'll give you an answer," Vince said earnestly. He turned to Rocco. "Go get Luca."