After Rebirth, I Replaced My Ex-Husband's True Love-Chapter 154: Scandalous Dance Photos

On the day of my mom’s birthday, the scene was bustling. Crystal Dawson, Leah Lane, Tiana O’Connell, and I sat in the corner, eating and chatting.

Silas Lockwood naturally came as well, and somehow his close friend Jason Forrest tagged along.

The two of them were chatting with others not far away when suddenly Tiana poked me, "Isn’t that Ivan Underwood?"

I looked over and couldn’t help but be impressed.

Ivan Underwood’s looks and physique, along with his aura, were undoubtedly outstanding in the crowd. However, due to work, he rarely wore formal attire, mostly donning a white coat or opting for casual and comfortable clothes in his free time.

Today’s black suit was particularly eye-catching, with an aura completely different from his usual chill doctor vibe.

"Zoe, did you invite him?" Crystal Dawson asked.

"Yes," I replied.

"Oh, so Henry Preston is the only one not invited?" Leah Lane chimed in.

Tiana tapped her on the forehead, "Of course, we wouldn’t invite Henry Preston!"

Leah Lane realized her faux pas and smiled awkwardly, "I just find it odd. With Ivan Underwood, Silas Lockwood, and Jason Forrest all here, and yet no Henry Preston? Maybe he’s putting all his attention on Azure Vaughn now, neglecting even his friends?"

Crystal Dawson rolled her eyes dramatically, "He’s just prioritizing romance over friendship!"

"Henry Preston is so strange," Tiana said, puzzled. "If he’s sentimental, why does he treat Zoe with such indifference and disdain for ten years? If he’s not, why is he so obsessed with Winter Tate’s heart?"

Crystal Dawson blurted out, "He just doesn’t love Zoe!"

Realizing she might have misspoken, she quickly comforted me, "Zoe, don’t be sad. Leaving him means you’ll meet a better man. He’s not worthy of you."

"Why would I be sad? I’ve come to terms with it," I replied with a smile.

As soon as I answered, Crystal Dawson suddenly stood up and marched toward Silas Lockwood aggressively.

It turned out a woman was flirting with Silas Lockwood, who left as soon as Crystal approached.

Leah Lane, Tiana, and I watched the scene unfold, while, out of the corner of my eye, I saw Ivan Underwood approaching.

"Tiana, let’s go outside for some fresh air!"

As soon as Ivan arrived, Leah Lane stood up, grabbing Tiana and leaving.

The two of them, like Crystal, were convinced that Ivan had feelings for me and even secretly urged me to just accept it. Not only could it spite Henry Preston, but I’d also get a good man.

Of course, I refused, not wanting to exploit Ivan Underwood’s feelings at all.

The more sincere others are to me, the less I want to take advantage.

"Dr. Underwood looks so handsome today!" I gave him a thumbs-up, genuinely complimenting him.

"How handsome?" Ivan sat down beside me, smiling faintly.

I teased, "Handsome enough to have half the young women here sneaking glances at you. Didn’t you notice? Hey, what’s your eyesight prescription?"

Ivan gazed around. Indeed, there were many affluent young women here.

There was no ripple in his gaze; he then turned to look at me, "So, did you sneak a glance too?"

I awkwardly avoided his gaze. I definitely did, but my glances were different from those of other women. I was purely observing Ivan Underwood’s popularity.

With such easily captivating looks, he was smitten only by Azure Vaughn in the past life. Even thinking about it now, I couldn’t help but admire Azure.

Azure had the perfect timing, advantage, and everything needed to win over both Henry Preston and Ivan Underwood. Winter Tate’s heart and her tactics were indispensable.

This time, Ivan Underwood didn’t fall for Azure, yet he was interested in me. Although I felt slightly awkward, deep down I felt a bit vain, confirming my own attractiveness through others’ affection.

"Considering our relationship, sneaking glances doesn’t seem right, does it?" I replied with a smile.

"Indeed, not quite right," Ivan quirked a grin, "You didn’t invite Henry Preston?"

Speaking of it, my family and The Preston Family still have some business collaborations. Business isn’t a marriage—breaking up with a tantrum would be mutually damaging, though we’d suffer more.

Not inviting The Preston Family was my mom’s deliberate provocation. When others hear about it, it’s gossip.

"Why invite him?" I casually retorted.

"Is there not even a slight chance of going back?" Ivan seemed to be probing me.

I answered earnestly, "No, don’t you know about Winter Tate?"

Although I hadn’t told Ivan, I believed big-mouth Silas would have mentioned in private that Winter Tate’s heart was transplanted into Azure. It’s quite a shocking revelation.

Indeed, Ivan knew. "I know. I didn’t expect such twists. I feel that Henry Preston isn’t genuinely fond of Azure; it’s just guilt and self-blame for Winter Tate, preventing him from letting go."

"Is a heart that significant?" I suddenly asked.

"It’s hard for you to understand, right?" Ivan didn’t show disdain but carefully explained, "If you deeply loved Henry Preston and he left, and later you found someone else with his heart, how would you feel?"

I listened silently, pondering from his perspective, and indeed could understand Henry Preston’s feelings.

If none of this had happened between Henry and me, if we were a pair of lovers, his departure would feel like the sky had fallen.

"I think I kind of understand," I nodded, smiling, "But understanding doesn’t mean turning back. The fate between people is truly magical. I pursued Henry Preston for five years, yet he still fell for Winter Tate shortly after meeting her, and it cost me another five years. That’s enough."

Ivan’s eyes brightened, and his smile widened, "You’re still young, with many choices ahead. Start a new life."

Of course, I’ll start a new life, but before that, I need to expose Azure’s deceitful facade.

I wanted to tell Ivan about my plan but held back. Besides Joel Sutton, I hadn’t shared my specific plan with anyone else.

The more who know, the less safe it is.

After my mom’s birthday party ended, Lane told me there was a birthday gift from Henry Preston in the car. He stayed downstairs for a while but didn’t come up.

In the car was an exquisite gift box, which I didn’t open, just hefted—heavy.

When my mom learned it was a gift from Henry Preston, her face was complicated. My dad flatly said, "We don’t want his gift. I’ll have someone send it back to his company later!"

Neither my mom nor I had any objections.

After returning home, my dad sent Lane to return Henry Preston’s gift. About two hours later, he came back.

"Miss Hathaway, Mr. Preston wasn’t at the company. His assistant accepted it and placed it in his office," Lane reported.

"Alright, that’s fine," I nodded, casually asking, "By the way, Lane, how’s your father’s health?"

"He’s doing well now, thanks to the timely rescue he recovered well. If it weren’t for you letting me go home early for New Year and lending me the car, who knows..." Lane’s face was full of gratitude.

I smiled, "You should pay more attention to your parents’ health."

"Yes, I will," Lane nodded.

Just a few days after my mom’s birthday, I learned from Crystal Dawson that Azure Vaughn was discharged from the hospital.

Her unyielding body truly impressed me; so fragile yet resilient, like an indestructible cockroach.

Unlike me, in the last life, I was diagnosed with late-stage breast cancer, which deteriorated rapidly, and it wasn’t long before I lost my life.

It’s been a while since I dreamt of those past events, but recently I’ve been haunted by nightmares, waking up in tears and drenched in sweat.

An uneasy feeling sprouted within me, but I couldn’t pinpoint its source.

Until a photo of Joel Sutton and me hugging appeared online, revealing that that unease was a premonition.

Not only were there photos of us hugging, but also a spicy picture of me dancing passionately at The Nightingale Garden. My shirt hem was tied up, showing a bit of my waist. Having drunk, my expression seemed off.

The photo was somewhat blurry, as if taken from above with a zoomed-in lens. The angle clearly was from above.

My eyelids twitched dramatically. Comparatively, the dancing photo posed a bigger threat. If it spurred external chatter, it would surely affect my dad’s work negatively.

Then Ryan Rhodes sent me a message: Miss Hathaway, there’s news on what you asked me to investigate. Those photos were indeed taken by a peer who admitted it. Initially, he wanted to extort money from you, but later he decided to cut a deal with Henry Preston, so the photos are with him.

Could the current news be released by Henry Preston? To exact revenge on me and my parents?

He’s no saint. A man taking over The Preston Group at a young age won’t be soft-hearted and has used countless tactics on various rivals.