After Rebirth, I Replaced My Ex-Husband's True Love-Chapter 139: Branded a Murderer

Back home, I received a call from Crystal Dawson, who brought me the latest information.

Azure Vaughn is hospitalized!

As for why she’s hospitalized, it’s still unclear.

"Is Henry Preston accompanying her at the hospital?" I asked.

"Yeah, he’s the one who took Azure to the hospital," Crystal speculated, "How could someone so young suddenly be hospitalized? Maybe... is she pregnant?!"

My eyelid twitched, feeling as if someone had guessed my secret. Henry had told me that he and Azure hadn’t been together, so Azure shouldn’t be pregnant.

I replied, "I don’t know, let them be."

Crystal agreed with me, "Yeah, don’t worry about them; let me be beautiful on my own!"

After the call ended, I felt a bit distracted, and my eyelid kept twitching. I had an uneasy feeling but didn’t know where it came from.

Tomorrow afternoon, I’ll be flying to Xylos with my uncle, hoping nothing goes awry.

In the evening, Joel Sutton messaged: Miss Hathaway, I’ve gone back home for tomb sweeping. I’ll be returning with the afternoon train today. Can we have lunch together tomorrow noon?

Me: Sure, stay safe.

The next noon, I met with Joel Sutton, who hadn’t returned to his rental to drop off his things. He was carrying a luggage bag.

He seemed a bit constrained at first, but after chatting for a while, he gradually opened up.

We found a mall and chose a place inside to eat. Joel started talking more, even asking me about things abroad.

"Sutton, did you know Azure also went to study in Xylos?" I suddenly inserted this topic.

Joel Sutton was taken aback, then nodded, "I heard from a friend, but I don’t know the details. I barely have any contact with her."

"Mm, Henry funded it." I took a sip of water to moisten my throat and continued, "I heard something—initially, it wasn’t Henry who reached out to Azure; rather, it was the opposite, you know?"

Hearing me mention this matter, Joel Sutton’s expression changed, and he seemed a bit guilty but said nothing.

I didn’t mean to blame him. From a certain perspective, he is quite honorable. Even after breaking up with his girlfriend, he refrains from speaking ill.

Otherwise, during the time Azure was attacked online, he could have exposed everything he knew to the media, adding fuel to the fire. That could have multiplied the criticism Azure faced.

Joel Sutton didn’t do this; he’s not one to kick someone when they’re down.

"Sutton?" I casually asked again, "Did you hear what I just said? Do you know about Azure reaching out to Henry first?"

Only then did Joel look at me again, his eyes conflicted.

I also focused on him, my gaze somewhat sharp.

Finally, he nodded, "Yeah, I know."

Joel Sutton had seen the messages Azure sent to Henry. His despair back then was because he discovered that his beloved girlfriend had reached out to a married man!

Moreover, Azure knew the married man and had given him her contact information.

Barefaced signals of flirtation.

Azure had many pursuers; he always knew that and managed well emotionally.

Until Henry appeared, shattering his mental defense, yet he still kept it all a secret for Azure, never speaking out. 𝑓𝑟ℯ𝘦𝓌𝘦𝘣𝑛𝑜𝓋𝑒𝓁.𝑐ℴ𝓂

"I asked her why she proactively texted Henry; didn’t she know what that man wanted?" Joel recalled the past, more at ease, but there was still some confusion in his eyes, "She said her heart told her she loved that man."

This sentence left me speechless. Wasn’t it supposed to be Henry who fell for Azure at first sight, not the other way around?

This conversation left me entirely puzzled, but it confirmed one thing: Azure initiated this entire romantic saga.

Even if she hadn’t, Henry had already gotten her number and would’ve contacted her sooner or later. But the meaning is different.

I seemed to see a little white rabbit, chased by a big bad wolf, suddenly showing its fox tail.

As we were about to part, Joel and I stood by the roadside. I know he’s been stealing glances at me.

"Miss Hathaway, are you leaving for Xylos this afternoon?" he asked.

"Yes." I nodded.

His eyes showed a trace of reluctance and loneliness, but he forced a smile, "I wish you a safe trip."

I smiled back at him, and suddenly he opened his arms, hugged me tightly, whispering quickly, "I’ll miss you!"

Then he let go, grabbed his luggage, and ran towards a bus stop without looking back.

I hadn’t even had time to react; Joel had already boarded a bus. He sat by the window, turning his head to look at me until the bus disappeared from view. I opened my mouth but said nothing.

What a lovely college student. I hope he maintains this simple and pure nature even after entering society, though, it’s quite challenging.

I didn’t expect that this meeting with Joel Sutton would lead to a commotion later on.

Late that night, my uncle and I arrived safely back in Xylos. Sherman Hathaway picked us up. He dropped me off first before driving my uncle home.

As I opened the door, I glanced across; Henry probably hadn’t come over yet. Given Azure’s severe condition requiring hospitalization, he would definitely stay with her.

I didn’t think too much about it. After washing up, I went straight to bed.

It was only the next morning at work that I heard about Azure from an angry Fern Tate.

"Zoe Hathaway, you’re vicious!" Fern furiously pointed at me, her eyes red, "If anything happens to Azure, you’ll go to hell!"

"What happened to her? What’s going on?" I frowned at her.

"Don’t you know she has a heart condition? You intentionally provoked her, and now she’s lying in the ICU, her life hanging by a thread. Aren’t you responsible?!" Fern said excitedly.

Colleagues exchanged glances, unable to intervene.

When did Azure get heart disease? I never knew!

"What heart condition does she have, tell me," I asked calmly.

"She..." Fern seemed to remember something, but what she meant to say didn’t come out. After a pause, she continued, "She has a serious congenital heart disease, can’t handle stress. You’re a murderer for constantly provoking her!"

I kept a composed face, "I never knew she had a heart condition; there’s no reason for me to provoke her. Blame her for always flaunting her presence before me."

Fern was furious, "Are you even human, Zoe? You’re so cold-blooded! Truly vicious!"

I ignored her and texted Joel Sutton: Does Azure have a heart condition?

Joel quickly replied: It’s a minor issue. She takes medication regularly and can’t engage in strenuous activity. While with her, she seemed normal.

A minor heart issue—certainly not serious enough for a stay in intensive care.

I didn’t reply to Joel Sutton further, instead focusing on my work.

Fern was relentless, suddenly grabbing my hand and shoving me aggressively.

She was a bit more robust than me, with more strength. If Sherman hadn’t appeared to shield me, I might have been knocked to the floor by her.

"Linda!" Sherman called angrily, his tone full of warning, "This is work time. What are you doing?"

Fern glared at me, "Mr. Hathaway, your sister caused Azure’s heart attack. Shouldn’t she take responsibility?!"

Sherman probably never expected Fern and Azure to be so close. He looked back at me and then coldly said, "Wasn’t she the one who caused Zoe’s divorce first?"

Fern’s chest heaved, unable to accept Sherman speaking of Azure this way. She suddenly tore off her employee badge, "I quit!"

She’s worked under Sherman for so long; for her to resign in anger shows how much she cares about Azure.

But I don’t understand—is it just because Azure resembles her deceased sister?

"Go to HR and handle your paperwork." Sherman was angry too, having no intention of keeping Fern.

I felt a bit guilty. This issue arose because of me. If I hadn’t joined his company, Fern wouldn’t have resigned.

Fern stormed off in rage, and Sherman called me into the office.

"Sherman, I’m sorry." I apologized sincerely.

"Linda was too impulsive, causing a scene during work hours," Sherman said wearily, pinching his brow.

"Does she really have to resign?" I asked.

I had to admit, Fern was good at her job, and her resignation would be a loss for the company.

Sherman shook his head, "No, I’ll talk to her. Zoe, you need to handle workplace relationships better, understand?"

I nodded.