I clicked through to the blogger's profile and saw her latest post, hot on the heels of her last viral sensation.
[Our family's savings are gone, thanks to the daughter-in-law. Should we stop our daughter's medical treatment?]
My name and personal details were splashed all over it.

I inhaled sharply and flicked a screenshot over to Zara.
[This is you, isn't it? Your post is practically begging for a cyber mob. You know I could sue you for this.]
Zara was quiet for a bit, then hit me with a voice message.
"After leeching off my son's cash, you still have the nerve to threaten me with a lawsuit?
"If my girl gets worse because we're broke, I'll drag you to court, you little snake!"
The mention of money reignited my anger.

[How many times do I have to tell you? I didn't touch your son's money!]
Zara shot back instantly.
"It's prime time for your brother to settle down. Who knows how much you've forked over for his house?
"Talk is cheap. Show me the proof. Are you brave enough to print out my son's bank transactions for me to see?"

Her words made me snort with laughter.
She wanted proof? I would give her a hammer to smash her own fingers.
[Alright, come on over, and I'll show you the records.]
[If I've taken even a dime, I'll pay you back double. However, if I haven't, you owe me a public apology and double the cash.]
She bit the bait.
We agreed to meet at the bank. After I got the statements, I waited an extra hour before Zara strolled up with Jasmine in tow.
Behind them, a gaggle of photographers and a reporter with a mic emblazoned with the TV station's emblem.
I frowned, and she said, "My girl didn't want me to get conned, so she invited the folks from the legal channel. You're not chickening out, are you?"
That was our local justice show, set to stream online and hit the TV screens later.
Thanks to a bit of internet fame, a curious crowd had started to gather.
"Isn't that the infamous daughter-in-law who made headlines for not coughing up her sister-in-law's medical bills?"
"Ha, the mother-in-law's a smart cookie, bringing the legal eagles along. That'll make the daughter-in-law think twice!"
"She has to pay up now, doesn't she?"
Zara basked in the support from the crowd.
"Chloe, I've always treated you like my own. If you just own up now, we can avoid a whole mess."
She was playing the part of the magnanimous matriarch, but Jasmine was at her side, nervously pulling at her sleeve. Anyone would think they were actually mother and daughter.
I thumbed through the bank statement in my hand, my smile growing.
"I'd hate for things to get even uglier. It is Josh's account, after all. Maybe we should get his take on this?"
My words only made Zara more smug.
"You're just looking for Josh to shield you, right? Chloe, you know how much he spoils you.
"He shouldered a mountain of car debt for you.
"He'd even turn his back on his own mom for you."
Really?
I had not realized he was so devoted.
I let the bank statements do the talking, laying them out for all to see. "See for yourselves, the bank records. I can't make this stuff up."
However, before they could get past the first page, the papers were snatched from my grasp.
I spun around to see Josh, who had appeared out of nowhere, gasping for air, his face a mix of emotions.
Catching my eye, he took a moment to compose himself before turning on Zara.
"Mom. Didn't I say I'd handle this with Chloe?
"You're making it look like a trial here."
Then, Josh stepped in, shielding me from the fray.
Zara, on the sidelines, was clearly upset. "Are you trying to break my heart? What do you think I'm going to do to her?"
Jasmine chimed in softly, saying, "Josh, Mom's just worried about you, you know."
Josh responded with patience, assuring her he would take care of things. He then started shooing away the onlookers, "Alright, everyone, clear out. This is a private family issue. Any more recording is an invasion of privacy!"
Some began to shuffle off, but Zara quickly stepped in to block their path.
"My son, I'm begging you. It's like this woman has cast a spell on you. She's been leeching off you for years.
"Just take a look at the bank statements, and you'll see her for who she really is!"
Jasmine released Zara's hand and tugged at Josh's sleeve instead.
"Josh, if Chloe hadn't been using your money, she wouldn't be scared of a little scrutiny."
Those who were on the fence about leaving then felt a surge of indignation.
"Come on, bro, don't be so clueless! She's your sister, and your mom's just looking out for you."
"Seriously, just run the numbers. It won't hurt anything. This guy's just blinded by love."
"Loving your wife doesn't mean you let her walk all over you. Look at what she's done to your mom and sister. You've got to have some conscience!"
"It's the heartache of a loving mother. She surely loves her daughter, too. She doesn't even have money for her daughter's medical bills, and yet she's still putting her son first."
Bolstered by the crowd, Zara stood taller.
"This time, I'm going to make sure you cough up every cent you've taken from our Josh!"
"Mom, aren't you afraid this will just push Chloe away?" Josh's patience finally wore thin, and he glared at the three cameras. "How do you think this is going to look to Chloe's colleagues if you air this mess?"
Zara stood firm, gesturing dismissively. "Josh, I get that you're protective of your wife, but we must be fair and go by the facts."
Zara's voice was laced with accusation as she pulled Jasmine closer. "Everyone heard her say she didn't take a dime, right?" She glared at Josh. "So, it's okay for you to spoil your wife, but I can't look out for Jasmine?"
Jasmine blinked her big doe eyes at Josh, her gaze a silent plea. "Josh..."
Her voice was a whisper of distress. "I can delay my treatment; that's not a big deal. However, Chloe has you on such a tight leash.
"It's me who's sick now, and that's fine. However, what if it's Mom next time?" She trailed off, but her implication hung heavily in the air.
A man nearby could not contain his worry. "Listen, take my advice. You must get to the bottom of this. If your mom gets sick down the line, and you've been too lenient now, you're the one who'll pay the price."
Josh, drenched in sweat from anxiety, tried to calm the storm. "Honey, I know your company's strict about their image, and I don't want to cause you trouble. However, she won't let these people go without some cash for Jasmine's treatment.
"How about this? Just put up 4,500 dollars to smooth things over with Mom for now. I'll cover it when I get my paycheck, okay? We can take it out of my account then."
Zara watched with arms crossed, an icy huff escaping her lips. "Son, you earn enough. If she hands over 4,500 dollars just like that, she'll walk all over us later. She'll even start eyeing our retirement funds."
Zara's words bolstered Jasmine's resolve, a silent alliance forming between them.
"Josh, we all know you've got a big heart, but if we don't clear this up today, it'll just blow up bigger later, and Chloe will be the one who suffers in court."
I chimed in right away, saying, "They're right. Let's get this sorted out now.
"Besides, my job's already taken a hit from your mom's gossip, so what's a bit more time?"
Then, I turned to Zara.
"Mom, remember our deal? If I took a single dime from him, I'd owe you double. However, if I didn't, you owe me a public apology and double the cash in compensation.
"You better not back out if things go south."
Zara gave an impatient nod, signaling she got it.
Someone was already too eager, grabbing the ledger from Josh's hands, ready to dive into the numbers.