The News Got out

—SAMANTHA—

Maryjane.

She was marching toward us, her face twisted in a glare so fierce I thought she might actually lunge at Zeke.

I quickly stepped in front of her, blocking her path. "Maryjane, stop," I whispered urgently.

She halted, her eyes scanning me, and the second she noticed my bruised eye, the bandage on my cheek, and my burned hand—her entire expression shifted. Shock. Rage.

"What the hell happened to you? You look like a mummy!” She hissed, her fists clenching.

I shook my head awkwardly, feeling discomfort, as I grabbed her arms before she could do anything reckless. "Maryjane, please—"

"Step aside, Samantha!” She growled, her voice low and dangerous. "I’m going to beat the living shit out of him!”

"No!” I tightened my grip, my hands trembling as I held her back. "Not here. Not now!”

Zeke let out a scoff, folding his arms across his chest. "Look at this. Samantha, you brought your little street dog to fight your battles now?"

Maryjane's entire body tensed. "You prick!" she spat. "You absolute scumbag! You think you're a man? You're just a pathetic excuse for one!"

I felt my stomach drop as she went on, hurling insult after insult—not just at Zeke, but at his entire damn family. People nearby had stopped to watch. Some were whispering. Others… were holding up their phones.

They were recording.

Zeke’s jaw clenched as he growled at us, his face dark with anger. "You will pay for this,” he swore under his breath before turning on his heel and storming back into Ophelia’s ward.

I didn’t wait for anything else. I grabbed Maryjane’s hand and pulled her with me. "Let’s get out of here," I muttered.

"Sam—"

"Please, Mary." My voice wavered.

She hesitated, then sighed, shaking her head before allowing me to lead her away.

Ten minutes later, we arrived at a small café just across the hospital, settling into a booth by the window. The place was cozy and quiet, with only a few customers sipping coffee and tapping away at their phones.

“Care to tell me how you go that bandages on you, and did that son of a bitch punched you on the eye?” Maryjane wasted no time bombarding me with questions.

As soon as the waitress took our order, I wasted no time, recounting everything that had happened—from Ophelia's allergy attack, Georgia’s insults to the scalding tea, accusing me of being the mastermind, to the moment I had been dragged into a corner by Zeke.

Maryjane was fuming. "That bastard! That entire rotten family!" she nearly shouted, drawing a few stares from nearby customers.

"Mary!” I tugged at her hand nervously, shooting her a look. “Keep your voice down please…”

She huffed but lowered her voice. "I swear to God, Sam, if you don’t leave that man, I will—"

Before she could finish, the waitress came over with our drinks, setting them down with an odd exaggerated smile. Her hands lingered hesitantly over the tray, and I noticed the way her eyes flickered toward us like she wanted to stay and listen.

My eyes narrowed slightly. Was she trying to eavesdrop?

The waitress finally turned and left, though not before sneaking another glance at us. I shook my head, pushing the thought aside as I reached for my drink.

But before I could take a sip, Maryjane let out a sharp curse.

"What’s wrong?" I asked, my stomach tightening at the look on her face.

Maryjane hesitated before sliding her phone across the table. "See for yourself."

I grabbed it, and my heart nearly stopped.

Hashtag# Could the Scandal About the Frost Family Be True?

Hashtag# TheHandsomeScion of the Montclair Family Seen Escorting His Mistress to the Hospital while quarreling with his Legal Wife!

Hashtag#What secrets is the family hiding?

I scrolled down and froze. Attached to the posts were several photos.

I felt sick. It had only been minutes, yet the scandal was already spreading like wildfire.

More hashtags flooded the screen:

#FrostFamilyDrama

#ZekeFrostAffair

#LegalWifeVsMistress

#PopulardesignerOpheliaHastingsInTrouble

I swallowed hard. My hands trembled as I set the phone down.

“Sam…” Maryjane’s voice was softer now, but I couldn’t look at her.

Because for the first time in years, the perfect image the Frost family tried so hard to maintain… was starting to crack.

"I advise you to use this opportunity to divorce Zeke and tell the world the whole truth about how he deceived your sister," Maryjane urged, her voice firm. "I’ll back you up—I’m a journalist, remember?"

I shook my head, my chest tightening. "I wish I could, Mary, but I won’t drag you or your family into this. Your parents have been good to me." I met her gaze, my voice gloom but resolute. "Just let me handle this myself, Okay? If you publish anything against the Frost family, you know what will happen next..."

Maryjane's expression darkened, her lips pressing into a thin line. She looked like she didn’t care about the consequences, but I did. I couldn’t let my problems ruin the peaceful life she and her family had built.

Abruptly, my phone buzzed on the table, shattering the tense silence in the air.

I flinched at the sudden vibration, my pulse spiking. I glanced down at the screen, and my breath caught in my throat.

‘Grandpa’ with a love emoji.

Zeke’s grandfather.

The patriarch of the Frost family.

My stomach twisted. He never called me—not even once since I married into this family. And now, with this scandal erupting like wildfire, he was reaching out?

Maryjane must have seen the look on my face because she leaned forward, her brows furrowing. “Sam? Who is it?”

I ignored her, my fingers tightening around the phone. I already knew why he was calling. This mess—this very public mess—was bound to reach him. The Frosts’ reputation was everything to them, and their company was already suffering a little from the rumors surrounding Gina’s past.

Now, with this new scandal…

I took a shaky breath, steeling myself before swiping to answer.

“Hello, Grandpa,” I greeted, keeping my voice steady.

“Come to Emerald Villa.”

That was all he said before the line went dead.

I lowered the phone slowly, staring at the black screen as if it could somehow give me answers. My hands trembled slightly, and I curled them into fists on my lap.

“Who was that?” Maryjane demanded, leaning closer.

I swallowed hard. “Zeke’s grandfather.”

Her eyes widened. “The old man? He called you?”

I nodded stiffly, my heart pounding against my ribs.

“What did he say?”

I hesitated before replying, “He wants me to come to Emerald Villa.”

Maryjane scoffed, shaking her head. “Of course, he does. Damage control, right? The Frosts only acknowledge you when their precious reputation is on the line.” She crossed her arms. “And you’re actually going after what they did to you and your sister?”

I let out a shaky breath. “What choice do I have? If I don’t go, they’ll make this even worse for me. You know how they operate and I don't want Amore to be involved.”

Maryjane clicked her tongue in frustration, muttering curses under her breath. “Damn that family. You’re not even the one who caused this scandal! It’s Zeke and his shameless mistress prancing around like a royal couple while you—” She stopped, her expression darkening.

I already knew what she was thinking. I was the legal wife, but I was the one being humiliated, shoved into the shadows while Ophelia basked in all the love and support.

I forced a small, bitter smile. “It doesn’t matter who caused it. The Frosts will always find a way to put the blame on me.”

Maryjane exhaled sharply, her fingers gripping the table. “I don’t like this, Sam. That old man is powerful, and you don’t have anyone on your side in that house.”

I didn’t reply. There was nothing to say.

After a tense silence, Maryjane sighed in defeat. “Fine. I’ll go with you.”

I blinked at her. “What?”

“You heard me,” she said firmly, grabbing her bag. “I’m not letting you walk into that lion’s den alone.”

I shook my head. “No, you can’t—”

“Try and stop me.” She stood up, crossing her arms. “I’ll wait outside if I have to, but I’m not leaving you to deal with those serpents on your own.”

My throat tightened. I wanted to argue, but I knew my best friend too well. Once she made up her mind, nothing could change it.

I swallowed my emotions and gave her a small nod. “Okay.”

With that, we left the café, heading straight for Emerald Villa.