Victoria stammered, "I... I'm only trying to protect you. Knowing about these things won't do you any good!"

Zooey nodded with a tight smile. "Alright, let's put that aside for now. What about Kuangmaid Port? Anything you want to share with me?" The mention of Kuangmaid Port drained the color from Victoria's face.

"I... I don't know anything about Kuangmaid Port, Zooey. Don't listen to Chloe's nonsense. I swear, I'm completely in the dark."

"Enough! How long are you going to keep lying to me?" Zooey's disbelief was palpable.

She thought bitterly, "I married Aaron, and we never had children. On the surface, it seems like he protects me in the Landry family, but in reality, my position has always been low.

I've been trying to get involved in Aaron's business, whether it's the port trade or anything else, just to truly integrate into this family.

I've told Victoria more than once that Aaron has business at Kuangmaid Port, but he's never willing to share anything with me. Even a brief visit to the port would make him incredibly anxious. Victoria promised to look into it and get back to me with any useful information.

But what's the reality now?

Victoria has been working with Aaron all along. The ships at Kuangmaid Port aren't just used for smuggling alcohol and cigarettes; they're involved in other illicit activities as well. And Victoria? She's known all along and might even be a participant.

After all these years of being by Aaron's side, how much have I really gained?

Has Victoria been laughing at me all this time when I complained to her?

I've maintained a glamorous facade, becoming Aaron's new wife, and everyone praised me for 'winning' him.

But in the end, it's all just an illusion.

Even my closest friends know more about my husband than I do." holds this content.

The Landry family was once a huge deal in the upper circles, with Aaron's father having multiple concubines in addition to his wife.

When monogamy laws were enforced, those concubines had to become unofficial lovers, living with Aaron's father without any formal recognition.

Since Aaron's childhood, his father had always been surrounded by numerous women.

Over time, Aaron grew accustomed to and continued this pattern.

Before Zooey's rise, Monica's mother had been Aaron's only officially recognized wife.

But fate was cruel; she died shortly after giving birth to Monica.

Aaron spent several years single, with his number of companions only increasing.

It was only when Zooey became pregnant that Aaron agreed to marry her. Unfortunately, the baby didn't survive.

Aaron, disinterested in further complications, didn't bring up divorce.

As the years went by, Zooey told him to stop his philandering. Aaron, who had genuine affection for her, promised to comply each time.

That was why Zooey publicly emphasized their 'true love' and Aaron's fidelity.

In reality, she clung to these claims because she had nothing to show for them.

Zooey had hoped to solidify her place in the Landry family, believing her friends would stand by her. However, she could never imagine it would come to this.

Victoria, noticing Zooey's pale and distraught expression, felt a pang of anxiety. "Zooey, I'm sorry about your husband's visits to the massage parlor. But regarding Kuangmaid Port, I genuinely don't know anything!" She was still playing the act even now.

Zooey gave a cold, tight-lipped smile. After taking several deep breaths with her head lowered, she finally looked up again.

"I was too worked up just now. You're my good friend; how could I not trust you? I know you must be completely in the dark."

Victoria studied Zooey intently for a while, only relaxing once she was sure Zooey really believed her.

Meanwhile, after Zooey walked away, Chloe had no interest in pursuing the matter further.

She had only wanted some peace and quiet.

Michael approached, holding a glass of juice and offering it to her. "Where did you get the photo of Aaron?"