Female Novel
Chapter 1299
Ian promptly moved to a corner and dialed Fitch.
"Look into Zoey's stepdad, see what dirt you can dig up, and put him behind bars."
Fitch's voice was indifferent, a cigarette lazily between his fingers.
"Why the sudden interest in her family drama?"
"Her mom had the audacity to insult Maja."
Fitch paused for a few seconds, then chuckled, "Alright, I'm on it."
Little did they know, Zoey's stepfather had a pretty extensive rap sheet. He used to be a school security
guard, but was reported by parents for inappropriate behavior towards children.
Despite the severity of his actions, the school, in an attempt to protect its reputation, swept the matter
under the rug. The man was still working as a security guard.
He wasn't making much money, and together with Belinda, they were living off Zoey's earnings.novelbin
Fitch's eyes turned cold. He reported the matter, and within an hour, the hefty man was taken away.
But Belinda was still oblivious. She was now guarded by two bodyguards and seemed to have finally
grasped that Ian was not someone to be trifled with.
Meanwhile, in the office, Maja had taken a seat.
"Zoey, what is going on? How did you get those bruises?"
She was aware of Zoey's past with Murray. Knowing Zoey's personality, she wouldn't have found a new
boyfriend so quickly.
Zoey stood silent in front of her, tears streaming down her face.
Maja, unable to see, assumed she was just keeping quiet.
"What your mom said? Was it true?"
"No, Ms. Pennyfeather, I was just attracted to a man's looks and maintained a long-term intimate
relationship with him. I apologize, this is my personal issue. I didn't manage it well, and my mom found
out. She thought I was selling myself."
Maja didn't want to meddle in Zoey's private life. But Zoey's attitude towards Belinda was intriguing.
"Zoey, I'm not going to judge you for your relationship with that man. As long as you're not entangled
with a married man, that's your business. But don't you think you're being too gentle with your mom?
She's speaking to you in a very harsh manner, not at all like how a mother should speak to her
daughter."
Zoey fell silent again, her head lowering, as though she had been robbed of her voice.
"Zoey?"
After a while, Zoey managed to croak out, "Ms. Pennyfeather, I just wanted to make sure that I was still
loved, that someone still cared for me. Otherwise, I really don't know what I'm living for. After work each
day, I feel so lonely. The world is so big, and I feel so small. I hope there's something to hold onto,
preferably familial love, because that's what I desire the most. Even if it's as thin as a spider web, I still
hold onto it carefully, not wanting it to break."
Maja felt a sting in her heart. She understood this feeling, but Zoey's situation seemed more severe
than hers.
"Ms. Pennyfeather, every time I send money home and hear my mother's perfunctory words, I feel
comforted. I convince myself that she loves me in her own way, that she just loves her man more.
Especially after ending my seven-year relationship with Murray, I was exhausted, feeling as if I had
been hollowed out. I felt the need for familial love even more."
As Zoey's voice got weaker, she added, "I know you can't understand, and I also despise myself for
this."
She never talked about the changes she went through during her seven years with Murray.
"When my parents divorced, I thought my dad would miss me. But he told me that if it weren't for my
mom, he wouldn't have let me be born. He wanted a son instead. Before he said those words, I always
thought he was a good father who gave me warmth. But it turned out even his love was fake."
Zoey didn't want to talk anymore, tears streaming down her face.
She was glad Maja couldn't see her, quickly wiping her tears with her sleeve.
"I'll hand in my resignation this afternoon. I'll handle the issue with my mom and won't bother the
company anymore."
"And how do you plan to handle it?"
Maja's voice was calm, her eyebrows furrowed in concern.
"I'll get you a therapist to gradually wean you off your mother. If you need something to hold onto, why
not invest your emotions in Star Movie Group?"