Chapter 327 - King’s Right Hand Man

"Zia…" Nikolai sighed heavily, shaking his head as he had no words to ask or tell to her. He knew by now that Zoey's decision was final. Therefore, negotiations with her would be all for naught. 

Her mind wouldn't change. No matter how safe it was to come back home and be sheltered by him; she would be the bait and that's final. If that's what she wanted, Nikolai had to respect that decision. However, that didn't mean that was his own decision. 

"Ivan, make sure to assist her with everything. I'll fly over once I've filtered our men." With that being said, Nikolai ended the call when Ivan answered with a firm 'yes'. 

Meanwhile, Zoey wasn't surprised by Nikolai's order. She actually planned to take Ivan to her side as she needed someone she could rely on with this problem. After all, Zoey couldn't do everything on her own.

Building Z Image Group's image, cementing her ground in the business industry, and protecting everyone would burn her out. Thus, she needed to take one step at the time. Sure, Inigo was a threat, but just as planned, he would surely lay low.

As for Angelo, Zoey had a vague plan for him. If he turned out to be a real foe, Zoey wouldn't hesitate to put a hole in his head. If not, Zoey had her means for him to follow her lead. But for now, before anything else, she needed to review her life and focus on Z Image Group.

"Can I borrow your phone?" Shortly after, Zoey faced Ivan who was studying her in silence.

"Ha?" A little out of it, Ivan snapped from his trance as he cocked his head to the side in confusion.

"Phone."

"Ahh…" He then slowly handed her the phone in his hand that she tossed earlier when she looked away. Without further ado, Zoey closed her eyes as she recalled the office's contact number before dialing Z Image's office.

As she did so, Ivan's eyes were still glued on her. Zoey's aura earlier when they were discussing Inigo and now was slightly appalling in a way. Why? She's akin to a different person.

She appeared more normal like usual, but earlier, even Ivan had goosebumps hearing her oath to settle a score with Inigo. Just what was it? Inigo wasn't able to lay a finger on her in the past because Nikolai protected her.

Did she hold a grudge against the man because of that attempt in the past? However, Ivan knew deep down that the reason wasn't that simple. If only Ivan could remember what happened in their previous life, he would understand where Zoey was coming from.

If only they all knew, they would understand the deep hatred Zoey had for that man. If only they knew… alas, only Zoey knew about it.

"Hey Mel, can you take the documents on my desk to LN Medical Group?" While Ivan was deep in his thoughts, Zoey spoke to the phone as soon as the line connected.

"Boss Zhou, you're in the hospital?!" From the other end of the line, Melanie Xue gasped upon the mention of the hospital's name. "Wait, what? You're in LN Medical?? We have money for that?!" When she realized that she was admitted to the most prestigious and costly hospital, her shock multiplied.

Just yesterday, they ran out of ink for printing the sample designs. But now, Zoey was in the hospital — in the most expensive hospital at that! Where did she get the budget for that? Not that it was Melanie's business, but at least, she could have bought them ink before she got admitted.

In that case, their work wouldn't lag behind. Now, they could barely do anything! After all, the industry they're in has needed too much ink for printing and such! Surely, Melanie and the rest were a bit more diligent in this timeline unlike years later.

Well, the company was just starting and everyone was full of enthusiasm. Just the load of projects through the years would suck them dry. Not that Zoey planned to change them too in this lifetime. She might as well reward them for keeping the Z Image Group going when Zoey couldn't even keep herself together in their previous life.

"It's a long story, Mel. Just bring them all to me right now. Also, tell Gelline to sign the contract with the supplier of machines and inks. Don't forget the charger for my phone. That's all." Not wasting time to explain to her what happened, Zoey raised her brows waiting for Melanie Xue to answer.

"Ah… okay?" 

"Thanks." Without further ado, Zoey ended the line with Melanie in a pool of confusion. Well, she didn't need to explain herself to Melanie because that loyal employee would follow her orders without question.

After all, Melanie was smart. The reason Zoey rarely argued with her. In Melanie Xue's perspective, Zoey was the boss. Thus, she would be in a more problematic position if she failed the company. Perhaps, it was also Melanie's faith in Zoey's capabilities and her boss's clear vision for Z Image Group.

When the line was cut short, Zoey tossed it back to Ivan. "Thanks." Her lips stretched a little up while Ivan just nodded his head.

"Sis, about earlier…"

"You're going to work in Z Image." Zoey didn't wait for him to finish his sentence as she gave him her answer.

"Huh?" Puzzled, Ivan furrowed his brows. "No, I mean —"

"You're hired." Zoey blinked her eyes many times, her meek smile grew into a large grin. "Without payroll." She giggled, thinking that she was hiring Ivan without expecting a weekly payroll. 

"..." Ivan was rendered speechless. He knew he was ordered to keep Zoey close, but not this kind of setup! Why would he work in a small time company? 

"No offense, Sis. I just didn't see myself working as a regular salary man." After some time, Ivan finally mustered his courage to speak his mind as a polite way to refuse her idea. However, his attempts were futile.

"Once you become my assistant, you'll be with me almost 24/7. Treat this as being the King's right hand man." Still bearing her smug grin, Zoey winked as she made her point across. 

Obviously, Ivan couldn't retort if she put it this way. Still, he was bothered deep down.. Knowing Zoey, she would make him do odd jobs even if it's out of his line of work.