Chapter 194 - Zachery Kwan

"Jie Jie~!" Avery Yang's mood brightened as Zoey approached them with Katherine Quin. 

"Hello there, my dear cousins~!" Prancing towards the Kwan's cousins, Zoey greeted them with her ever lively voice. 

"Jie, I heard you have a boyfriend! Please tell me it's not Li Enzo — we're going to have a problem!" As soon as Zoey stood near their table, Charlotte Kwan pouted as she was secretly eavesdropping earlier. 

"No? Eww." Zoey's face distorted, evidently disgusted by the assumptions. 

"Jie! How can you say that to my prince?!" Displeased at Zoey's reaction, Charlotte Kwan frowned. 

Everyone knew Charlotte Kwan's fascination towards Enzo Li. After all, Enzo Li was a known superstar who could dance, sing, and act — a triple threat. 

Not to mention, his mother's family name was Xi which made things even more impressive. In other words, Enzo Li was a full package: famous, rich, handsome, and talented ��� with a clean track record! 

He has no scandal, or any bad news about him! Well, in retrospect, there was one involving Zoey but was cleared that they were just friends!

"Charly, honey, your prince is no prince." Zoey stared at Charlotte Kwan in pity, dismayed at how her cousin fell deep into the hellhole which was Enzo Li's perfect image. 

If only Charlotte Kwan knew that behind the prince-like image of Enzo Li, he was nothing but a frog! Obviously, the reason Enzo Li managed his image clean was because he's being backed by the Xi Family. 

Hence, the last time those who had spread rumors about Enzo Li and Zoey, had to face the Xi Corporation's wrath. That company had declared bankruptcy the next day and no one reported it to the media. 

"Jie jie, she's hopeless." Shaking his head, James Kwan shook his head as he sighed. "She would do a block screening of every Li Enzo's movie even if it's a cameo, but she doesn't even support my singing career — her own brother?!" Now that James Kwan was reminded, his tone slightly raised as he glared daggers at Charlotte Kwan who rolled her eyes at him. 

"Oh? You started your singing career? When?" A little surprised at the news, Zoey slowly took the empty seat and wordlessly offered the other seat next to her to Katherine Quin. 

However, as soon as they heard Zoey, except Avery Kwan, everyone around the table frowned, giving her the 'are you serious?' look. 

"Jie, how can you not know?" Disheartened at Zoey's question, James Kwan frowned while his shoulder loosened. 

"James, I'm sure jie jie just reads the business section." Chuckling at James Kwan who has been fond of Zoey ever since they were teens, Avery Yang was certain that he wanted Zoey's appreciation as Zoey only knew how to praise herself. 

"I'm sorry, little bro." Zoey felt guilty since she could barely keep up with Zion Kwan and his parent's business and thus apologized as she flickered her lashes sweetly. "Don't worry. Once you have your concert or release your album, I'll buy them!" She added, slightly coaxing the disheartened young adult. 

"So, jie, how's my prince? Are you still in touch with him?" Charlotte Kwan perked up at Zoey excitedly since she couldn't care less about her brother's disappointment. 

"Well, aside from crying over his marriage proposal to a woman he only knew for less than a month, he's alive. I guess that's good news?" Bearing a sarcastic tone, Zoey genuinely felt sorry for Charlotte Kwan. 

She's stanning the wrong person! However, no matter how Zoey slandered Enzo Li in front of Charlotte Kwan, she wouldn't believe her! If Zoey knew this would happen, she wouldn't have introduced Enzo Li to her cousin years ago. 

"Impossible! Jie is lying!" Pouting at Zoey, Charlotte Kwan refused to believe Zoey's slanderous remarks about her prince.

"Little Charlotte..." Displeased at the accusations, Avery Yang warned as she was once again going overboard. 

"Uhm... actually, Miss Zhou is not lying. I heard from a friend that Li Enzo was indeed rejected by a woman he only knew for less than a month." Meek and could barely hear what she was speaking about, Katherine Quin shyly chimed in. 

Yet, despite her low and timid voice, everyone around the table heard her. Thus, they turned their attention to her as they didn't notice her presence. 

Not that they wanted to. However, Katherine Quin's presence was overshadowed by Zoey's strong presence. Not to mention, Zoey rarely comes into the Kwan's family gathering. Hence, the Kwan's cousin would obviously focus on Zoey. 

On the other hand, as everyone's attention was turned to Katherine Quin, no one noticed the brief smirk on Zoey's lips. 'I'm sorry, Miss Quin.' Zoey halfheartedly apologized inside her mind. 

Well, she was impressed, though. Katherine Quin was quick to notice that Zoey hadn't welcomed her yet. Hence, she changed how she addressed Zoey. 

Alas, calling Zoey with her surname around with the Kwans was taboo. Although Zoey was never legally adopted, everyone knew that she was the uncrowned young miss of the Kwan Family. 

"Miss Quin, what did you just say?" Charlotte Kwan, who was never afraid to speak without thinking twice, arched her right brow as she raised her chin. 

A little surprised by the sudden change of mood, Katherine Quin bit her lower lip. "My family is acquainted with the Li's, so..." 

"No," Shaking her head, Charlotte Kwan crossed her arms. "I'm asking what did you call jie jie?" Charlotte Kwan's cuteness slowly vanished, only the arrogant spoiled child remained as she questioned Katherine Quin. 

"I..."

"Miss Quin, since you're now engaged with big brother Ion, and will soon be joining our family, you have to know the proper way to call your sister-in-law." Avery Yang tipped her glasses as she solemnly advised her. "Jie jie was not legally adopted by Aunty and Uncle, but she's a true Kwan." She added, intimidating Katherine Quin with her emotionless eyes. 

"I'm sorry..." Hanging her head low, Katherine Quin stared at her tightened fist resting on her lap. 

"Cousins, it's fine." Slowly, Zoey caressed Katherine Quin's fist as she smiled at her cousins. "You shouldn't treat your future cousin-in-law so harshly. Don't forget this is her unofficial engagement party." Zoey added, causing Charlotte Kwan and Avery Yang to roll their eyes at Katherine Quin. 

"By the way, Miss Quin, I heard you're a regular in The Palace?" Facing Katherine Quin, Zoey smiled as she leaned closer to her ear. "I know what you've been doing, Miss Quin." Zoey whispered, causing Katherine Quin's eyes to widen as her shoulders slightly trembled. 

Pleased at her reaction, Zoey leaned back. However, just then, a maid approached Zoey. "Young Miss, Master wants to have a word with you." The maid said, making Zoey arch her brows. 

Zoey then moved her eyes, searching for someone. Not far away from them, the dignified middle-aged man who seemed he hadn't aged through all these years was standing not far away from them. 

When Zoey saw him, Zachery Kwan was already staring back at her, displeased about something. 'Sh*t...' Zoey cursed, already guessing what seemed to have displeased the old man. 

"Right. I'll pay my respect to Dad. Please be good to Miss Quin, alright? Little Charly, behave." Slowly, Zoey stood up and turned to her cousins.. When they all nodded with Charlotte Kwan still pouting, Zoey sighed as she reluctantly dragged her feet towards Zachary Kwan's.