The matter wasn't intended to be known by the Wood Family, but it wasn't as though there weren't any channels.
The difference was that the Wood Family of the past had not gone out of their way to inquire, and besides, some of the news that came out was mostly kept secret by those who knew.
This old friend still had a good relationship with David Wood. It was only now, seeing how much turmoil his family was in, that he was shocked by the event that had occurred.
When David Wood saw him come to discuss the matter, he was hit by a bolt from the blue, "What did you say? Who is she?"