Chapter 165 - Work From Home

Although Zoey's actions were suspicious, everything about her was shady. Therefore, Cora Ma and Zion Kwan were persuaded and let her be for the time being. 

When they left, Zoey opened her eyes again and sighed. "Sometimes, I feel like my brother and best friend are too gullible." She mumbled, shaking her head as she didn't think they would trust her words. 

Glancing at the IV Drip on her hand, Zoey gritted her teeth as she pulled it out. It stung a little. However, a little pain wouldn't make Zoey whine about. 

After that, Zoey picked up the paperbag which Cora Ma had handed to her earlier that contained her clothes. Immediately, Zoey changed into a tight jeans and black t-shirt. 

Tying her hair up, Zoey glanced at her mild red lips through the bathroom's mirror. Biting her lower lip, she recalled Matthew Xi's lips against hers. "What a tease..." she mumbled, clicking her tongue in annoyance. 

Zoey shook her head, trying to forget Matthew Xi for now. She didn't want to think about the fact that she actually shot her own foot by provoking Matthew Xi more than she should. 

Not that she didn't find him charming anymore. Just that... she could feel the intensity of his presence which was silently attempting to tame her. 

As Zoey lightly slapped her cheeks to concentrate, she headed out of the bathroom. Looking around, a sharp exhale escaped her nose as she walked to the door. 

Slowly, Zoey peeked outside. Seeing that no one was watching, she slowly opened the door and made her exit. 

To her relief, Zoey didn't bump into trouble as she sneaked out of the premises. Little did she know, her problem lied in the parking space. 

When Zoey arrived at the parking space of the hospital, she searched for her car. However, it wasn't there! She had her key... alas, Zoey realized that she gave Matthew Xi a spare key back then. 

"Xi Matthew...!" Grinding her teeth, Zoey called his name out loud as she figured he used her car on purpose. 

*****

[XI Corporation: CEO's Office]

"Say, so you're getting married, my son?" Perking her chin up, Vivian Xi arched her right brow as she anticipated for her son's reply. 

"Soon," Without glancing at his mother, Matthew Xi opened his desk's drawer, as if searching for something.

"Soon? So Miss Zhou succeeded? I mean, is it safe to call her my daughter-in-law?" Vivian Xi's eyes sparkled, seeing how decisive his son was regarding his marriage. 

After all, Matthew Xi was this decisive only when he rejected any arranged marriage proposals. He never once approved of anything regarding his own marriage even if the bait was for the company's benefits. 

"Mhmm," Matthew Xi hummed a tune. Technically, Zoey indeed succeeded. Alas, upon the completion of her wants, a problem was born. 

"I see..." Nodding her head in satisfaction, Vivian Xi glided in front of the desk. "So, when will I meet my daughter-in-law?" She asked, watching her manners despite that her heart was jumping in joy. 

"Mother, I heard you visited Li's residence." Slowly, Matthew Xi raised his gaze as he stopped going through his drawers. 

Upon hearing his statement, Vivian Xi furrowed her brows. "You're keeping an eye on me?" The excitement plastered across Vivian Xi's eyes slowly dissipated as it was replaced by disbelief. 

"And Enzo was also called home. I assume mother knows that Zoey doesn't have a clue of who I truly am." Instead of answering his mother's question, Matthew Xi resumed telling her about his main concern. 

"Xi Matthew, are you talking down to your own mother? Why would you put spies behind me?" Just like Matthew Xi, Vivian Xi remained adamant on not turning the page for them to meet as she could not believe his actions. 

"And you've been hanging out with Mrs. Olivia Tang." 

"So? My dear Matthew, remember the time you picked me up at the spa? Weren't you watching her as she harassed the staff?" Not surprised that her son was very much informed on her activities, Vivian Xi crossed her arms under her chest as she arched her brows. 

Vivian Xi rarely recalled random events. However, this particular memory stuck at the back of her mind as Matthew Xi had talked about it. 

It was a brief memory of Matthew Xi watching Olivia Tang act all high and mighty. She had vented her anger on the establishment's staff for spilling a bit of tea on her bag. 

Vivian Xi couldn't care less about this entitled Madam's. After all, it was normal in the society she grew and lived in. 

Still, she remembered Matthew Xi's words: "I hope that woman will cross with you one day." 

Vivian Xi just laughed it off as every Madam's in the upper echelon feared crossing Vivian Xi. After all, if Matthew Xi was called a tyrant king, Vivian Xi was the crazy dowager. 

Hence, Vivian Xi found it as a silly fate to again cross paths with Olivia Tang. What's more? There was a heavy reason for Vivian Xi to play with her for a bit. 

"Mhmm, I remember" Humming a tune, Matthew Xi slowly perched on the swivel chair. "Mother, I kept an eye on you because I don't want you meddling in my affairs with Zoey." Glancing up, Matthew Xi finally bent as he went back to his mother's initial query. 

"My apologies. However, although she has succeeded in making me realize how deep I have fallen for her... alas, she has a disease." Matthew Xi added, a sigh escaped her lips while Vivian Xi creased her brows. 

"She... what?" Worried, Vivian Xi gasped as she concluded different diseases — even fatal ones that still have no cure. "Is it deadly?" She added, feeling her body lose energy. 

Will her son become widowed? That soon?! 

"It is deadly." Nodding his head, Matthew Xi gazed down at the opened drawer and picked up a thin rectangular box. 

"Oh my god..." Covering her lips, Vivian Xi felt a sting on her eyes as she began to become emotional. "My poor daughter..." she whispered out of pity for Zoey. 

In her mind, Zoey must be suffering a lot behind her blinding smile. Perhaps, that was the reason she didn't want to take her son seriously because she was leaving earth soon. 

"Why are you crying?" Glancing up, Matthew Xi knitted his brows as his mother was on the verge of bawling. "Zoey is not dying — I said it's deadly, for me." 

"Ah?"

"She eventually loses her interest in men who share mutual interests. Since I boldly want her, I'm certain her urge to repel me will grow stronger." Detailing the problem to his mother, Matthew Xi informed her which gave mixed emotions to Vivian Xi. 

"Moving on, I'll work from home until I tame her. Please, don't interfere." While Vivian Xi was processing his words, Matthew Xi added as he sincerely asked this very favor from his mother.

Just then, Matthew Xi heard his unique ringtone of Zoey's terrible singing the cuppy cake song. Without further ado, he picked it up and spoke, "Why are you sneaking out?" even before Zoey could complain, Matthew Xi had already figured out the reason behind the phone call.

Meanwhile, Zoey almost choked as he had seen through her from kilometers away.