Chapter 262 - False Alarm

"Hello again, gentlemen," As soon as Lucas Xi arrived at the circle of businessmen he was in previously, he greeted. 

The latter's attention slowly turned to Zoey, their eyes bore intrigue as they glanced at Lucas Xi back. "Hehe. Don't be impatient, gentlemen. This is Miss Zhou of Z Image Group." Chuckling at their silent reaction, Lucas Xi gestured Zoey who bowed her head politely. 

"Pleasure to meet you, My surname is Zhou, Zhou Zoey, CEO and Founder of Z Image Group." Slowly, Zoey raised her head and smiled just like how she acted in front of all her business associates. 

Her gaze landed on Professor Meng which caused her eyes to light up. Finally, there was a person she knew around! Thinking how Professor Meng got invited, Zoey's heart felt moved as Matthew Xi probably considered that she preferred someone she knew to cheer her up. 

"Yes, Mr. Sun and Professor Meng had told us about you when Atty. Xi had left us to charm you!" Senator Wang humored, laughing heartily which was followed by the rest.

"Senator, she's married... apparently." Chuckling back, Lucas Xi didn't show a tiny bit of displeasure about the senator's humoring nor did he try to deny that he left them to charm a lady. 

"Oh, she is?" Gaping his lips apart, Senator Wang studied Zoey and nodded his head. 

"Yes, I am, Senator Wang." Despite her urge to jump on to Ernest Meng's side, Zoey conducted herself properly. After all, the person in front of her was a respectable government official. 

His track record had been clean. No records of corruption, or anything that could taint his reputation. If anything, he had been a great role model in the country. 

If only all government officials were like him, the world would have been a better place. Although Zoey had only a little interest in politics, she needed to keep herself updated about everything. 

After all, she needed to be updated about the economy. Moreover, Ernest Meng was an avid supporter of Senator Wang. Hence, even without research, Zoey heard all kinds of stories about this politician more than she wanted to hear. 

"Ohh, he must be lucky to have such a lovely wife like Miss Zhou!" Nodding his head in understanding, Senator Wang complimented. 

Unlike Lucas Xi's simple mindset about divorce, Senator Wang didn't think likewise. He valued marriage as if it was one of the most sacred things. Hence, he cast Lucas Xi a warning glance which the latter didn't overlook. 

"Little Zoey, you got married to Mr. Xi?" Surprised at the news he just heard, Ernest Meng heedlessly inquired which caused everyone to knit their brows and turned their heads to the old man. 

"Mr. Xi?" In unison, they asked. 

Ruby Xi frowned for some reason. Inside her mind, she never heard about someone in their family tying the knot. Well, there is one... but everyone doubted if he really did get married. 

After all, the last time they heard was Matthew Xi was dating. Therefore, it was just too impossible for him to get married no matter how deeply in love he was. 

It's just foolish and everyone believed Matthew Xi never took a rash decision. After all, this subject shouldn't be taken lightly.

"You're married to a Xi?" Tilting his head to the side, Lucas Xi frowned for the first time in this event.

"Yes," Proud, Zoey nodded her head which caused an awkward silence around this group of people and the nearby guests. 

"Pfft—!" Just then, Ezekiel Tang who 'knew' that she was 'joking', snickered. "Gentlemen, Miss Zhou has indeed married a man named Xi Matthew, but not Young Master Xi of Xi Corporation." He explained, holding his laughter in as he rat Zoey out. 

"Xi Matthew?" Frowning at this coincidence, Ruby Xi glanced at Zoey from head to toe before shifting her gaze to Ezekiel Tang. 

"Yes, I was surprised too at first but we found out it wasn't the real Young Master Xi!" Ezekiel Tang purposely attempted for them to misunderstand Zoey, making her look as if she had tried to con them by having a lover named Xi Matthew. 

After all, it was not a secret that only a few people knew what he looked like. Aside from his cousins and relatives, not everyone in this circle had actually seen him face to face. 

That's how eccentric the man was. Even his relatives rarely saw him. There was even a year that Ruby Xi had seen Matthew Xi two times in an entire calendar. 

"Uh..." Awkward at this turn of conversation, Senator Wang scanned his gaze as everyone around seemed to be displeased at the thought. 

Although it wasn't Zoey's fault for having a lover that has the same name as Matthew Xi, they were still displeased about it. After all, everyone here had their highest regard to the head of the Xi Family because he was just admirable. 

He's a natural businessman despite that he could be a little violent. Still, the Xi Family's standing was cemented the moment Matthew Xi took the throne and led the family to new greater heights no one had ever reached. 

"Err... I think Mr. Tang misunderstood—" Sensing the sudden change of air around her, Zoey awkwardly grinned as she didn't know she would be Ezekiel Tang's cause of death. 

Who knew her prank months ago would come to haunt Ezekiel Tang? It was her harmless joke that meant no harm! Why must Ezekiel Tang use it as his weapon for suicide?! Damn it! Zoey would feel guilty although she doesn't really care about his well-being. 

"Miss Zhou, are you still going to deny that you fooled us all by making us think you're dating Young Master Xi?" Interrupting her midway, Ezekiel Tang exclaimed which caught more attention than the debutant that was speaking over the microphone. 

For a moment, the entire hall fell into nothing but silence because Ezekiel Tang's words resonated across the hall. Even the gorgeous Alice stopped speaking as she knitted her brow and turned her attention towards their direction. 

*****

Meanwhile, outside the event hall, all bodyguards in uniform suits were scattered around. They had surrounded the entire lobby, each floor of the hotel, and even outside the premises.

"Search each corner of this place. Paul, did you retrieve the surveillance upon my wife's disappearance?" Standing at the lobby, nervous as his blood boiled, Matthew Xi questioned as soon as Paul Qian approached. 

"Son... who could have kidnapped my little Z?" Panicking, Vivian Xi was on the verge of fainting as she received news that Zoey couldn't be seen around. 

"Assistant Qian, if something happened to my daughter-in-law, I don't think I can ever forgive you!" Glaring daggers at Paul Qian, Vivian Xi scorned through her gritted teeth. 

How could he let Zoey go outside the premises alone? If only he didn���t leave Zoey alone, they would've had their grand entrance together!

"My apologies, Madam Xi." Bowing his head, Paul Qian didn't show any disappointment from Vivian Xi's threats as he admitted it was his own negligence that there was now a panic outside the peaceful event. 

"Young Master, Miss Zhou had been seen entering the hall. I already checked and she is being accompanied by your cousins." Still had his head in a bow, Paul Qian sighed in relief as he relayed the news. 

Upon hearing his reports, Vivian Xi and Matthew Xi felt they could finally breathe after a long time. No one checked the hall because people would know there was something happening. 

The last thing they wanted was to cause a panic to their guests. Without a word, Matthew Xi hastily headed to the event hall. 

"Geez... I knew it; we should've checked the hall first." Patting her chest, Vivian Xi murmured as she stabilized her breathing.. When she saw her son hastily head towards the hall, she exclaimed, "Son, wait!" Before picking up her pace to catch up to him.