Chapter 291 - Everyone, Leave... Except You.

"Aish!" Grinding his teeth, Kenneth Bai glared daggers at Zoey who glared back at him the same way. 

"What? Why are you glaring at your uncle, ah?!" Just like a gangster in the street, Zoey widened her eyes as she perked her chin up. 

"Pfft—! Uncle?" Lucas Xi bit his lower lip, resisting himself from laughing out loud. Although he was uninformed about the drinks, he found the woman interesting at how she tactlessly talked down to Kenneth Bai — tactless in a cute way, by the way. 

Yet, Zoey heard the brief 'pfft' and shifted her gaze toward Lucas Xi. Seeing the younger version of Lucas Xi, Zoey exhaled heavily as she pushed Kenneth Bai and let him go. 

Zoey's gaze then scanned the very few men gathered around the center table stocked with all kinds of alcoholic beverages and snacks. Surprisingly enough, this wasn't the kind of party she had expected. On a second thought, having Matthew Xi in a crowded place was hard to imagine. The setup made sense; only a few people who knew him and were a bit close to him were the only ones present. 

As Zoey traveled her gaze across all of them, her eyes stopped at the person in the corner. He was staring at her in awe: Enzo Li! Zoey pursed her lips as she stared at her dear friend in her previous life. 

However, just like what she planned, Zoey wanted to make a few changes. For example, the one night stand and her friendship with Enzo Li. 

Zoey didn't want to be friends with Enzo Li during this lifetime. She didn't want him in her life again because... she would destroy him eventually. That's the last thing Zoey wanted; seeing Enzo Li change into a different person just because he fell deeply in love with her. 

"Bro, I didn't mean to put a love drug in your wine! It was Auntie Xi's request!" Rubbing his palms together, Kenneth Bai plopped down beside Matthew Xi as he pleaded for his life. 

However, Matthew Xi just gave him a brief side eye before shifting it back to Zoey. He narrowed his eyes, seeing Zoey look away from Enzo Li bearing an inexplicable expression in her eyes. 

Based on his observation, Zoey's eyes skimmed everyone. But aside from the way she looked at him, the emotion in her eyes changed for a second when it landed on Enzo Li. Matthew Xi didn't know why, but that displeased him deep down. 

"What's your name?" Staring at Zoey's figure, Matthew Xi's ever cold and intimidating voice resonated across their ears. 

His coldness immediately enveloped everyone, sending cold chills down their spine. They unconsciously gulped, while Zoey faced him with puzzlement plastered on her face. 

"Me?" She pointed to herself, confirming if her Darling was really talking to her. Yet, he just peered at her wordlessly which made Zoey realize how foolish her question was. Of course, he was talking to her!

"My name is Barney. I heard someone was getting drugged tonight. I thought it was the poison kind of drug... you know." Scratching the back of her head, Zoey concocted a cliche lie as she didn't think about it that much. 

After all, Zoey just wanted to stop him from taking that love drug. She just didn't want him to bed any random girl while she was busy trying to figure things out at the moment. 

"How did you know it's for me?" After hearing Zoey's lie, Matthew Xi arched his brow as he found not one but multiple loopholes in her reasoning. She didn't even try to make it sound believable! Who was she fooling? 

Upon hearing the second question, everyone around the table had their eyes on Zoey. They kept silent, waiting for her explanation because her sudden entrance was quite suspicious. Who knows what kind of hidden agenda she had?

"They said it's for Mister..." Zoey's words trailed off, realizing that her answer would lead to another question; how did she know he was Matthew Xi? 

In this timeline, only a few people that were close to the Xi Family knew how Matthew Xi looked like. He didn't have a single photo on the internet. Hence, continuing this sentence was akin to shooting herself in the foot. 

'Damn it, Zoey! Did you really think you can just leave after sabotaging Kenneth's plan?!' Zoey cursed internally, screaming at herself for going in heedlessly thinking she could just do whatever she wanted and then leave — just like superheroes in movies. 

"Anyway, I just remembered that I have to go." Changing the subject, Zoey fished a bottle of milk from her jacket and tossed it towards Matthew Xi. 

Thanks to his fast reflexes, he caught the bottle of milk. His brows furrowed, raising his gaze back towards the person that gave this to him. 

"Alcohol is for adults." Zoey said in a matter-of-factly tone. "I didn't put anything in it — it's still sealed. You can ask others to taste test it or throw it away and buy a new one." Shrugging her shoulders, Zoey offered a meek smile as she sounded like a big sister reminding her little brother. 

"Pfttt—! Hahaha!" This time, Lucas Xi couldn't hold his laughter anymore. "Seriously, Miss? You're giving my cousin a milk?" Shaking his head, Lucas Xi shook his head as his interest in the lady grew stronger. 

In his perspective, it seemed fun having a talk with her. Not that kind of flirting, but to know her train of thoughts as her personality was rarer than the rarest. 

"This little —! Who do you think you are, ah? You just barged in here and now are insulting my brother!" Adding brownie points to lessen Matthew Xi's wrath, Kenneth Bai jolted from his seat and pointed his forefinger at Zoey. His stance appeared to be righteous, but for Zoey, he seemed like a spoiled young master. 

If not for the fact that Zoey trusted this man in her previous life, and he was reliable, she would totally break his finger. Alas, they would be friends eight years later. Also, he would be a good ally in her plans. 

"Whatever, dude." Zoey just rolled her eyes, peering at Kenneth Bai from head to toe bearing ridiculing eyes. 

"Get out." After his long silence, Matthew Xi's cold voice echoed, enveloping the entire private lounge with nothing but utter coldness. 

"Hah! You heard that? Get out!" Kenneth Bai scoffed, placing his knuckles on his waist with his chin up. Zoey just rolled her eyes on him before she pivoted her heel and was about to leave. 

"Where are you going?" Alas, just as Zoey took two steps, she halted upon hearing Matthew Xi again. 

"Huh?" Turning her head back, Zoey creased her brows together. 

"Everyone, leave... except you." Slowly, Matthew Xi stood up from his seat and took light steps towards her all the while loosening his tie. 

"It seems I have to prove to this young lady who she was calling a child." His pair of russet eyes were menacing, causing Zoey to swallow a mouthful of saliva. 

"Hey... what — what child?" Seeing the dangerous man approaching her, Zoey took a step back as she scratched the back of her head. 

Turning her gaze to the people around the table, none of them seemed to have the will to stop Matthew Xi. Even Kenneth Bai glared at her as Lucas Xi dragged him out with him. 

'Oy oy! Don't leave me here! I might strip your friend myself!' Zoey desperately screamed internally as she could barely hold herself from not throwing herself onto Matthew Xi.