Chapter 272 - Father-in-law

"I'll pick you up later." Upon stopping in front of Z Image Building, Matthew Xi put up a gentle smile which was returned with a mutual tenderness. 

"I'll see you then." Nodding her head in understanding, Zoey leaned closer for a brief kiss. "Behave, okay?" She humored, making him smile while he nodded. 

Ever since this morning, Zoey hadn't shown the slightest clue she knew where he was going. But, she didn't want to know how he would deal with Zachery Kwan. 

Zion Kwan also left early this morning. Although he didn't forget to inform Cora Ma that he was needed in the hospital earlier today, Zoey didn't have a chance to face her brother. 

Well, since he now knew what truly happened in the past, and their real relationship, Zoey wasn't surprised that Zion Kwan was trying to avoid her as he readied himself before facing her. After all, it was too much to take for her brother all in one night. 

"Love, I trust you. Take care, okay?" Before Zoey closed the door, she leaned down and peeked from the wide gap of the door and sent him off. 

"Mhmm, see you later." With a meek smile, Matthew Xi nodded once again before Zoey closed the door and headed inside the building. 

He watched her enter the establishment, even when she was finally inside, Matthew Xi kept staring at the direction she vanished for a minute before he ordered, "Kwan General Hospital" and the car he was in sped away. 

Shortly after, Matthew Xi arrived at the Kwan General Hospital. Surprisingly enough, he was welcomed by the board of directors despite the busy hospital. 

"Mr. Xi, we're honored that you approached us!" Energetic and humble then he expected, Zachery Kwan's smile was akin to a noble middle-age man. 

Although Zachery Kwan was already in his mid sixties, he appeared younger than his age. For a brief second, Matthew Xi studied his features and noticed that Zoey and Zachery Kwan had a little bit of resemblance. 

Why had no one noticed it? Or, did everyone just turn a blind eye about this obvious clue? 

"No, father-in-law, I should apologize for meeting you after my wedding." Responding in the same humble manner, Matthew Xi slightly bowed his head. 

However, what he addressed Zachery Kwan as, didn't just make the man himself widen his eyes in confusion but everyone else as well. Although Matthew Xi had his plans, he was considering saving Zoey's father some face in front of everyone. 

Moreover, he had to take a step back and think about Zion Kwan's plea. Even though Matthew Xi was determined to end this guy, he had to keep it balanced.

"Uh, Mr. Xi, I think you're mistaken. My son —" Chuckling and taking Matthew Xi's words as a joke, Zachery Kwan abruptly stopped upon seeing the smirk hidden in those russet eyes. 

"Mr. Xi, why don't we go to my office?" Clearing his throat, Zachery Kwan gestured the way which made Matthew Xi nod slowly. 

With that being said, Zachery Kwan led Matthew Xi to his own office while the other directors of the hospital let them be. Still, they were curious as to why Matthew Xi called Zachery Kwan his father-in-law. 

Was it perhaps Matthew Xi had taken a liking to his adoptive daughter? Recalling how beautiful the adopted princess of the Kwans was, the board of directors of the Kwans could not help but share meaningful glances. 

If their conclusion was true, then, doesn't that mean the new age for the Kwan General Hospital had begun? Does this mean their company would be on par with the Liangs?

Just the thought made everyone greedy. After all, the man inside the president's office was none other than the economy of the country! With just one word from Matthew Xi, a company much less a person's life could change forever — for the good or bad!

No one suspected that Matthew Xi had an issue with his father-in-law because of their relationship! Who in their sane mind would not please their in-laws?

****

"Please, Mr. Xi, sit down." Polite as ever, Zachery Kwan asked his assistant for tea while Matthew Xi scanned the large office. 

"Nice office." Matthew Xi commented, as it wasn't bad in his eyes. 

"I'm glad you find it to your liking." Zachery Kwan forced a smile but it appeared awkward.

"Mr. Xi, about what you addressed me..."

"I've been married to Zoey for two weeks." Halting him midway, Matthew Xi slowly perched on the seat opposite Zachery Kwan and laid his leg over the other. 

"Uh," Speechless, Zachery Kwan stared at the pair of russet eyes that bore words he couldn't comprehend. 

"Where is Zoey?" Sounding awkward, Zachery Kwan raised his brows as if he was concerned about something. 

His reaction was already expected. After all, Zachery Kwan knew very well about his sour relationship with Zoey. She hates him, and so did he. They might appear to have a great relationship, but Zoey and Zachery Kwan knew how much Zoey despised him from deep within her bones. 

She couldn't forgive him, and he neither could he. Zoey came back after years and her existence posed a threat to him and his respectable image. She had him on a leash. 

What more? Now, the years of Zoey implanting fear in him had grown that it took Zachery Kwan someone's help to approach her place. 

"Office." Seeing the transitioning mood in Zachery Kwan's eyes, Matthew Xi's face remained cold and unmoved. "I won't go around the bush, but Zoey is now my wife and I will protect her... and the people she cares about, father-in-law." Matthew Xi stressed his address towards Zachery Kwan which caused another stifling silence for a moment. 

"Mr. Xi, are you threatening me?" He scoffed, shaking his head. "My daughter is a little silly and..."

"Don't. Touch. My. Wife." Grasping the thought that Zachery Kwan would talk his way out by telling him silly lies. 

With that bold statement being said, Zachery Kwan raised his chin up as he gulped, keeping his dignified front.

"I see..." Nodding his head in understanding, Zachery Kwan chuckled faintly as he shook his head sideways. 

"You don't know your wife well, my son-in-law." Slowly, Zachery Kwan returned his gaze at Matthew Xi with a smirk. "You might've not heard the news in the past that I was in the car accident; it's wrong, I wasn't." His gaze never left Matthew Xi and so was the smirk on his lips. 

"I was hit by a car and that person driving that car was her, my son-in-law. Your life with her will be full of dread." Without a trace of emotion, Zachery Kwan stated coldly yet the person across him didn't even flinch. 

"She must have hesitated, father-in-law." Chuckling at the thought, Matthew Xi was not a bit bothered or surprised. "If it was me, you would've long passed your inheritance to your son." He added, shrugging his shoulders which made Zachery Kwan's face leave the small mocking expressions.

"However, we're family now... I don't discipline my elders — they'd rather enjoy their remaining time." Matthew Xi slowly retracted his resting back away from the couch and at the same time, Zachery Kwan's assistant came in with a tray of tea in her hand. 

"Anyway, it's a shame I don't have much time for tea." Glancing at the tray, Matthew Xi glanced back at him. "Have a good day, father-in-law." Slightly bowing his head, Matthew Xi left the office. 

Shortly after Matthew Xi's departure, Zachery Kwan flipped the tray of teacups on the table as he threw a fit. "That little girl...!" Grinding his teeth, Zachery Kwan's eyes glinted with malice as his fist tightened. 

"Great! Does she think her husband's presence will make me cower? Hah! How naive!" Zachery Kwan laughed maniacally before fishing out his phone and dialed someone's phone number. 

"You said you will help me with my situation with my son in exchange for Zoey, right?" As soon as the phone connected, Zachery Kwan smirked as he repeated the offer he got two weeks ago. 

"Oh? Did she enrage you?" The man from the other end of the line chuckled at the desperate tone of Zachery Kwan. "Whatever, Mr. Kwan. As long as I get what I want, I'll help you." Still chuckling, the man cleared his throat and shrugged his shoulders. 

After that, the man continued briefing Zachery Kwan who somehow stunned the more he listened to it. "I hope for your cooperation, Mr. Kwan.." With that being said, the line got disconnected but Zachery Kwan seemed to be paralyzed as he wasn't moving from the shock.