Alexander nodded. “She made a snarky remark to us outside the police station,” he answered.
I recalled the impably dressed woman who had implied that Chloe and her mother would be getting out of jail. That must be Chloe’s aunt, the woman that they were talking about.
“Well, I found out that Hana is a part of the ZIKO society,” Duke revealed.
This name meant nothing to me, but Alexander’s face went pale. “That cult–like group?”
“Yep,” Duke answered and took a sip of his red wine. “Hana has been a member for a very long time. She is well–respected in that group.” He looked around and then leaned forward. “My sources also told me that Hana offered Felix, her nephew, and Ethan, her future nephew–inw, membership into her exclusive club–with a condition that they would both owe her big time–but Felix had refused on the spot, knowing how shady and corrupt the ZIKO society is.”
My throat became dry when I realized that Duke hadn’t said that Ethan hadn’t refused membership. Was my ex–husband now a member of this creepy club?
“I bet you that Chloe offered to join the club and owe her aunt a big favor,” Duke continued and raised his eyebrows. “That’s the only reason that Hana is offering to help get her out of jail.”
“Or, Felix told his aunt that he would join,” Alexander pointed out. “Maybe he agreed because he thought that it was the only way to get
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his mother and sister out of jail.‘
“Whoever joined, it isn’t good for two reasons,” Duke said and held up his pointer finger. “One, because having another Windsor a part of that creepy club isn’t good because it’s giving them more power from a well- connected family.”
My stomach stiffened with fear when I figured out the second reason why Felix or Chloe joining the ZIKO club wasn’t good.
“And two,” Duke said, putting up his middle finger along with his pointer. “If the corrupt group that Hana is in offers their help and resources, then I bet you that Chloe and her mother will be out of jail before the end of the week.”
*Olivia*
To my surprise, Alexander didn’t seem too worried about Hana helping her niece and sister get out of jail.
At this point, the server brought us our food, and he eagerly tucked into his Thai peanut noodles. But I pushed my own lunch away. The news that Chloe might escape punishment again made my stomach churn, and I hadpletely lost my appetite.
“Why don’t you seem more concerned?” Duke asked Alexander. I noticed that he wasn’t touching his meal either. “I can almost guarantee you that with Hana’s help, Chloe and her mother will be bailed out of jail. Then, they will retaliate against you and Olivia.” He shuddered. “I can assure you that you don’t want the ZIKO grouping after you.”
But Alexander merely shrugged and swallowed the bite he had just taken. “I’m not scared of a corrupt group like them,” he answered. “And I’m positive that Chloe and her mother won’t escape thew this time.” He wiped his mouth calmly with a napkin and took a sip of water. “Not if I have anything to do with it.”
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Duke’s mouth was hanging open in disbelief, and I was pretty sure I had a simr expression on my face.
“Besides, I know Felix pretty well,” Alexander continued as he twirled noodles around his chopsticks. “I don’t think he would join that group just to get his mom and sister out of jail. I saw him after they were arrested. Sure, he seemed pretty bummed they were locked up, but I also think he was angry at his family for getting themselves into that situation.”
“You don’t know Chloe like I do,” Duke said, and for the first time I could remember, his expression was serious. “Chloe and her mother are crafty. That is how they have escaped thew for so long. With the ZIKO group on their side, they will find a way to get out of jail and drop all the charges that they have been used of.”
Alexander shrugged again and continued to slurp his noodles.
“Don’t say I didn’t warn you,” Duke said with a dark look and then drained his ss of wine. He looked for our server for a refill.
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