Xena’s gaze flickered. She had once identally seen Zac entering his phone passcode and remembered the digits.


    If he hadn’t changed it, she should be able to unlock it.


    After a brief hesitation, she entered the password.


    Nervous and guilty, she kept ncing toward the bathroom as she opened his email app, afraid he might walk out at any


    moment.


    Once she had forwarded the message to her own inbox, she quickly deleted the sent record, marked the email as unread, and ced the phone back exactly where she found it.


    Momentster, Zac came out of the bathroom.


    He walked over to the dining table and sat down. Xena pushed the bowl of soup toward him with a calm expression.


    “Mr. Lincoln, it’s cooled down quite a bit now.”


    “Alright.”


    Zac lowered his head and began eating quietly.


    Neither of them spoke again. When he finished, Xena cleared the table and left without another word.


    On the way home, she opened the email and downloaded the attachment.


    Soon, she was staring at Ethan’s full personal profile. It even included details like the elementary school he attended and every position he had held.


    As she scanned the document, she bit her lower lip, a new n beginning to form in her mind.


    Meanwhile, back in the living room of Zac’s vi, he picked up his phone after Xena left and saw the message from Chase. He opened the email right away.


    The report confirmed that Ethan had no significant background. His parents were ordinary workers in Stanley City, and he himself was just a researcher at a local pharmaceutical institute.


    A cold smirk tugged at the corner of Zac’s lips.


    So Liz had really gone and found a nobody to act out this little game. A man that average had no business beingpared to him.


    He tossed the phone onto the table and dismissed the matter entirely, already assuming Liz woulde crawling back once she couldn’t keep up the act any longer.


    For the next week, Liz was busy with Shannon’s case.


    By 3:00 p.m. on Friday, the divorce trial Shannon had filed against Peter began right on schedule.


    Since Liz had submitted solid evidence, the first hearing went smoothly. Things were looking good for a favorable oue.


    As Liz and Shannon exited the courthouse, they were suddenly blocked by Peter, whose face was dark with anger.


    He red at Shannon, practically spitting with rage. “I’m never going to agree to this divorce! As long as I refuse, the court won’t grant it. You better give up now!”


    Shannon stood her ground. “If this court won’t approve it, I’ll take it to a higher one. Until the day I’m free, I’ll keep appealing. I’m not backing down.”


    “You-1”


    Peter raised his hand, as if to strike her. She flinched in fear and immediately stepped behind Liz.


    Liz’s expression turned cold. “Are you sure you want to hit someone right outside the courthouse?”


    Peter looked up and noticed a security camera nearby. Then his eyes shifted to Liz, who stood protectively in front of Shannon. Reluctantly, he lowered his hand.


    He might get away with hitting Shannon-it would just be counted as domestic abuse. But if heid a hand on Liz, awyer with a reputation, the consequences would be much more severe.


    “Fine. You’re Liz Smith, right? I won’t forget this. Breaking up people’s families like this? Karma will get you.”


    With that, he stormed off in a fury.


    Only after he was gone did Shannon step out from behind Liz, still shaking slightly.


    “Ms. Smith, please don’t let his words get to you. Guys like him are the ones who deserve karma. You’re helping me get away from trash like that. You’re doing the right thing, and you’ll be rewarded for it.”


    Seeing Shannon clench her fists in anger, Liz couldn’t help but smile.


    “Don’t worry. I’m not losing any sleep over what he said.”


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