Chapter 357 - Hide And Seek

"Where's your boss?" 

Matthew's shoulder froze, his hands slowly raised on his sides as a gesture of surrender. "My boss?" Yet, despite the sudden knot in his stomach, his voice sounded calm and composed. 

'What's happening? Did they come for Zoey?' Matthew wondered internally. His mind functioned faster than usual as he pondered why someone dangerous was chasing for Zoey's head. 

He knew the dangers of the person standing behind him. He could feel the cold tip of the pistol pressing against the back of his head. Yet, Matthew felt surprisingly calm despite the threat at that moment. It was as if he knew he wouldn't die. 

"I won't hurt you, but call your boss. She offended someone she shouldn't." Stern and unwavering, the man clad in black suit, who was hidden in the dark, commanded. 

Matthew could not help but arch his right brow upon hearing the last remarks. 'Offended someone she shouldn't?' He repeatedly inside his head. 

After a gulp, Matthew answered. "I... I can't," 

"Don't make this hard, sir." Displeased at the latter's answer, he threatened as he frowned. He then pressed the muzzle harder against the back of Matthew's head. "I don't want to hurt you, so don't force me." He added, his tone growing adamant as he didn't like how this man refused to give his target's location. 

"You misunderstood." Matthew stayed calm, sighing as he shook his head lightly. "I don't have a boss. If you're looking for my girlfriend, then I'm also waiting for her. You can wait with me as I am curious too to know who the person she offended is... so I can apologize on her behalf." He explained, sighing after he gave his explanation. 

For a moment, the man standing behind paused. He gazed at Matthew who had his hands raised to the side, unmoving all this time he had kept his gun pointed at him. 

Hearing Matthew's explanation rendered him conflicted. After all, he was ordered to threaten Zoey Zhou — that's all. He was there to scare the woman off and he planned on doing so in the most convenient way. 

However, with this guy involved, the man was in a dilemma. Now there were two people he should threaten. The hard part was, he knew that Zoey had a secret affair with the Tang's young master, Ezekiel Tang. 

Does that mean this person was Ezekiel Tang? He couldn't see properly because the lights were out and only the lights filtering through the glass outside was their source of light. 

'This is a problem...' The man murmured internally, knowing in an instant that he messed this up. Little did he know, he had a bigger problem than assuming Matthew Xi was Ezekiel Tang. A very big problem. 

"So why don't you put down your gun, take a seat, and wait for my girlfriend? I won't call for help." In a convincing way, Matthew proposed as he shrugged his shoulders. Since the man had realized that his plan was spoilt and he was taking his precious time to think, Matthew grabbed this opportunity to buy time. 

Obviously, Matthew didn't have high hopes of convincing the man. He was just buying time until Paul Qian could receive his emergency call and send reinforcement.

However, to Matthew's surprise, he felt the muzzle, which was pressing against the back of his head, being lifted up. "Right..." Matthew awkwardly chuckled, nodding his head as he couldn't fathom how easily the man agreed. 

"You can find a seat over there..." Matthew sounded awkward, uncertain at the sudden discomfort in the air. Still, he gestured in the direction where he could remember the small couches were placed. 

Since they both adjusted their eyesight to the dim lights, Matthew didn't think of him having a hard time finding a seat — that was if he wanted to seat or stay behind him. 

Few minutes later, Matthew knitted his brows as he couldn't feel any sound behind him. He had the urge to look behind him, but was afraid that the man would assault him. So, he decided to stay still as he relaxed. His emergency call to Paul Qian was sent, they'll be here in a minute. 

"Mister, tell your men that they're not needed here." Out of nowhere, Matthew nearly jolted from his seat upon hearing the familiar foreign man's voice, Ivan. 

Instinctively, Matthew turned around, searching the direction of his voice. Slowly but surely, Matthew's eyes readjusted to the dimness behind him and saw two figures standing. 

One was clad in black clothes, holding his gun on his right which was now held in the air together with his left hand. On the side, Ivan stood with a gun pointed at the man's temple. His blue eyes glinted, killing intent emanating from his unchanging side profile. 

'What's going on...?' Matthew, who was speechless and confused, wondered internally. By the looks of Ivan, Matthew could tell this was not his first time pointing this deadly weapon at someone. 

"I won't repeat myself. Tell your men that they're not needed... you're also not needed." Since Matthew wasn't listening to his orders, Ivan snuck a glance at him for a second before returning his eyes on the man before him. 

"Forget what's happening here and leave. If I hear you ratting out my si— me to the police, even a hundred men can't guarantee your safety." Without a trace of mercy, Ivan continued to instruct Matthew Xi which was more of threats than orders. He specifically corrected himself as he didn't want Zoey getting dragged in it if police were to get involved. 

"I..." Matthew's words trailed off. He fished his phone out, sending a message to Paul Qian to withdraw, and then looked back at Ivan. "No." He answered firmly, slowly rising from his seat as he faced the two. 

"I won't say a word about this, but I can't let you linger around Miss Zhou." In a matter-of-fact tone, Matthew stared at Ivan's side profile. His russet eyes grew sharper, his jaw tightening as he disliked what was unfolding before his eyes. 

Deep down, Matthew knew that Zoey was involved. However, since she wasn't around, he didn't want to conclude just yet... no matter how strong the proof that the man was after Zoey, Matthew didn't want to believe it. 

Just as the air inside the obscure office grew thicker, which was capable of suffocating a normal person if they stepped inside, the lights suddenly turned on. Since their eyes were used to the dark, Matthew slightly narrowed his eyes. 

On the other hand, as soon as the lights turned on, Ivan's wrist was hit by the other man's elbow. In a fraction of second, the gun that was in Ivan's hand was snatched. 

"Hah!" When their eyes adjusted to the light, Ivan's poker face didn't change, raising his gaze at the mocking eyes that were looking back at him. "Too amateur." The man sneered, pointing the gun at Ivan's forehead. 

"English." Ivan demanded, still bearing his poker face. Although he didn't understand the man, he knew that he was mocking him. Thus, Ivan leaned his head down briefly as if gesturing to the man to look down.

There, Ivan smirked as he had a small dagger pointed at the man's abdomen. The man didn't feel the sharp tip due to his thick clothes and when he looked down, Ivan immediately brought the dagger up to his chin. 

"Also, if you think of pulling the trigger, look behind you." A smug smirk formed on the side of Ivan's lips, glancing at Matthew's direction who was holding a pistol and pointing it behind the man's head. "I didn't know you carry such dangerous toys."

Ivan shrugged, causing Matthew to chuckle. 

"Maybe I'll invite you to see my collection next time... if you're also into the beauty of these kinds." Confident, Matthew offered before gazing at the intruders's figure. 

"Drop your weapons. Don't make this harder." Since the man couldn't understand Ivan, Matthew was the one who talked to him and asked him to surrender. 

As the man realized the position he was in, he clenched his teeth hard. This got out of hand for him real quick.. He was told that Zoey was a greedy short timer businesswoman who wanted to make it big in the business industry. Thus, they expected that sending one person would be enough to threaten her. 

Who would expect that she would have two capable professionals? First was Ivan, no doubt he was a professional in this type of job because the man didn't even feel his presence when he approached. 

Secondly, Zoey's lover. Although it didn't seem like it, his stance was enough for someone to discern he was experienced in guns. Still, one couldn't tell if he used it on people or if he was just a good actor. 

Just as the man was pondering on his next move which was to retreat, a woman's annoyed voice reached the office. "Can you not play with the lights when you're coming to assassinate me?!" Zoey, who was enraged at something, rushed inside her office throwing a huge fit. 

Steam blew off her nostrils, harrumphing at the amateur and his cliche moves that were useless! However, just as Zoey barged inside the office, she froze as her eyes immediately landed on Matthew's stunning figure. 

"Uh.... I mean, can you not play with the main switch while playing hide and seek? It's unfair!" Zoey awkwardly chuckled, but soon realized that lying was not needed as the three men inside her small office already had their guns in their hands.