Chapter 131

Everyone gasped. The white bedsheet was a tangled mess; the man and woman were naked. Sophia reacted first, screaming and quickly covering them with a blanket. "Get out! Now!" she shrieked frantically.

Joanna, still recovering from the effects of a drug, was terrified under the blanket, her face hidden. The man remained silent and covered as well. Seeing Sophia's distress, Yosef worried about his son and moved to protect him. "Honey, calm down! You're scaring our son!"

"Just kick them out! Now!" Sophia shouted, her temples throbbing.

Yosef, startled, nodded. "Okay." He turned to the crowd. "Everyone, leave! Stop staring!"

Most people, realizing the impropriety of the situation, slowly departed. However, a photographer, seizing the opportunity, rapidly snapped several photos. Yosef's shout of "Stop! Everyone out!" followed by the photographer's ejection, punctuated the scene.

I, fortunately present, found the scene disgusting. Turning, I saw Hayden and Yasir already leaving. My curious gaze met Hayden's. Silently, I questioned, "Why are you out?"

He replied silently, "Aren't you here with me?"

I countered, "It's different. You love her! How are you so calm?" I expected fury, but he remained surprisingly composed. His lack of concern about Joanna's infidelity was unbelievable. He was indeed tough and unpredictable.

Yasir approached. "You're out so soon?" His question echoed others'.

"I didn't dare stay," I replied, leaving my sentence unfinished. I smiled at Hayden, awaiting his response. Yasir coughed, clearly also expecting an explanation. No man would tolerate this, right? Hayden, perceptive as ever, understood our unspoken amusement.

Hayden shrugged. "What does it have to do with me? Isn't she your stepsister?"

Yasir and I were stunned. "How did she suddenly become my stepsister? Isn't she your lover?" I asked, focusing on Hayden. He was clearly having an affair, yet brazenly denied it.

Instead of answering, Hayden turned to Yasir. "How about you answer the question?"

Yasir's eyes widened. "Me?" But seeing Hayden's expression, he cleared his throat. "Well, Hayden noticed something was weird about Joanna, so he asked someone to change the wine she prepared for Mr. Parker and asked me to find a man. Hayden did nothing with her, I swear."

Even more confused, I looked at Hayden. "You think something's weird about Joanna? Weren't you deeply in love with her?"

Hayden's face darkened. Yasir pulled me closer. "You misunderstood! Hayden loves you. How could he fall for someone else!"

I sneered. "Are you two crazy or drunk?" I remembered Hayden's arrival with Joanna. His explanation was unconvincing.

Yasir started to speak, but Lucy returned with Marlon, interrupting him. Lucy asked worriedly, "Yvonne, what's going on? Are you alright?"

I shook my head. Seeing Marlon eased my tension. He asked, "Who's inside?"

Lucy, reminded, peeked inside. "The jerk's out here. So, who's inside?" Yasir momentarily blanked before realizing "the jerk" referred to Hayden. Hayden looked terrible; I hadn't noticed earlier, focusing on the man with Joanna.

"Who did you bring in there?" I asked Yasir.

He remained silent, looking at Hayden. I didn't bother asking Hayden and went back inside with Lucy. Seeing the man firsthand seemed the best way to find out his identity.

Yosef ignored us; Sophia cried, holding Joanna. After regaining consciousness, Joanna sobbed, lamenting her ruined life. Sophia comforted her. Lucy, after a disdainful glance, lifted the blanket's edge. One look at the man caused her to recoil. "Why is it you!"

My curiosity piqued, I saw familiar eyes. "Zachary!" I gasped, shocked.

He seemed aware of everything, motionless, perhaps gloating. Like Lucy, I stepped back. He dressed, then asked, "Surprised to see me here?"

Joanna screamed, "You pervert! I'm calling 911!"

Sophia angrily shouted, "How dare you do this to my daughter! Don't you have any decency?" She quickly decided to claim her daughter was forced.

Zachary sneered, "Your daughter started it. She took off my pants first."

Everyone was shocked. The reporters, after recovering, instructed their cameramen, "Hurry! Someone took off Mr. Swanson's pants and seduced him!"