Chapter 374 - Death Of Levi

"I'm joking --" Upon realizing that her tactic was useless, Zoey tried to get back up. However, just as she did, Matthew pressed her forehead down by his index finger.

"Stay." He said, poking her forehead by this forefinger lightly. "And rest." He added, his eyes looked down at her visible dark eyebags. Just one glance and he could tell that she had barely slept.

Was it because of what transpired two nights ago? Or, had she been sleeping half awake since long? Whatever the reason be, she was an unhealthy lady. How could she work tirelessly, but still have the energy to scheme on the side with a messed up lifestyle? 

"Huh?" Zoey blinked, creasing her brows. "I already did. It's too early." In a matter-of-fact tone, Zoey argued. Yet, Matthew just cast her a judgemental stare before retracting his eyes away without a word.

"Hey, I'm really --"

"Just close your eyes. If you didn't fall asleep in ten minutes, I'll let you go." Without looking at her, Matthew proposed, his finger still on her forehead. "Don't worry, I won't do anything silly." He added, reassuring her that she's safe with him.

He wasn't a scum, after all. No matter how much he was into her, Matthew didn't need to use such means. He trusted his own allure, and also his mother would surely kill him. Therefore, this act of gesture was purely out of concern for her well-being.

Matthew had been thinking a lot about this set up with her. After what he had experienced two nights ago, he knew that Zoey had more worries more than one person could understand. He wasn't planning to change her or stop her per se; to be honest, he was more or less understanding of her situation.

Being in that kind of situation, Matthew knew that even if Zoey wanted to escape that life, there's only one option: Death. This may sound like an exaggeration as he didn't fully comprehend how deep and dark her situation was, but it could fall into that category.

"Jeez… what are you even doing here during working hours?" She complained in a low tone, sighing as she closed her eyes. Just for the sake of saying she was abiding, Zoey planned to pretend to at least try sleeping although she was hundred percent sure she wouldn't.

"Who said I'm not working?" He glanced down, lowering his voice and then stared at the window with his knuckles supporting his temple. "I came to check the materials as the renovation will start tomorrow. I actually planned on upgrading the security system so my tenants would feel secure. After all, once it's completed, there would be more people occupying other floors; there seemed to be more people taking interest in renting some floors even though it isn't completed yet…" Matthew explained, unconsciously playing with her hair as he usually did so.

His next words then trailed off, hearing heavy breaths on his lap. Slowly, Matthew looked down, his eyes softened as the corner of his lips curled gently. "Rest well." He whispered, running his fingers through her hair, the tip of his fingernail touched her scalp which relaxed her.

'I think I was wrong…' Inside his mind, Matthew sighed and shook his head. 'She didn't lack sleep, she's deprived of it.' He massaged his temple, gazing down at her once again, engraving her delicate facial features in his mind.

Now that he thought about it, Matthew barely slept after that incident two nights ago. Funny enough, he wasn't the target but his body and mind could not help but react whenever that incident crossed his mind. Not that he was scared someone would shoot him to sleep, but the feeling of being in that situation that was entirely different when he was being robbed.

Matthew often goes on long walks in some areas around the city to think. There were times he was robbed at knifepoint, but once he gave his money, everything was fine. They would leave him alone, granting him the habit of sensing the real intention to him.

But two nights ago was different. He was certain that if the order was to kill Zoey, the intruder would have pulled the trigger and not interrogated him. Whether or not Matthew was overthinking or not, there's a possibility that would happen.

What more, what if he was in Zoey's shoes? Matthew would probably sleep with his room and entire house guarded.

'No wonder she couldn't sleep.' Another sigh slipped past his lips, shaking his head and leaned back.

Just then, the door suddenly opened which caused him to turn his head immediately. "Bos--" Before Melanie could shout for her boss's name, her words went back to her throat upon the icy glare from the landlord.

"Shh…" Matthew placed his index finger in front of his lips, before waving his hands off, gesturing her to leave.

'But this is important…' Conflicted, Melanie pursed her lips as she pondered whether to let this matter later or now. However, knowing Zoey, she would grill her when she came to know that Melanie didn't inform her immediately.

Matthew watched Melanie remain in her position, contemplating on what to do. So, he decided to lift the burden on her shoulder. "Come here," He mouthed, gesturing to her to come inside.

Fortunately, she's quick-witted. Without further ado, Melanie entered the room. She stopped several steps away from them. From her stand point, she could get a glimpse of Zoey who appeared to be sleeping peacefully. Melanie had never seen her boss to be in such a peaceful state since she came to know her.

Melanie only snapped back to reality when Matthew snapped his fingers. Although reluctant, Melanie handed him the folder Zoey needed along with the documents she asked her to print. "Thank you," He didn't voice out his appreciation, but Melanie understood it.

Without a word, Melanie bowed her head and then took a step back. She almost tiptoed as she left the office. Well, her boss seemed to be fatigued, and Melanie didn't want that to happen. Maybe, since the landlord and her boss seem to have a vague love affair going on, she could trust him with these?

Matthew watched her close the door carefully. When it was closed, he turned his attention back to the two folders: one was a little thick while the other was too thin as if only a few pages were in it. 

He first checked the thin folder. Upon laying his eyes on the title, Matthew flipped to the next page. Apparently, it was just the history of transactions she had with her suppliers. Most were immediately paid after a week, but the last one, it was a huge amount of money she ordered which needed her down payment as soon as possible.

'She has this much money, right?' He wondered, glancing at the sleeping Zoey. Although the sum was not that much to him, for a small company like the Z Image Group, it would have broken their capital chain. 

"Ugh… I want to meddle with her business.' Frustrated and worried at the same time, Matthew let out a deep sigh. 'Just to be sure…' After gravitating which was right and wrong, Matthew fished his phone out, and sent a pending order to Paul Qian.

After he did, Matthew then set aside the thin folder to the side. Now, his attention was back to the thick one. "Hmm?" He hummed softly, seeing that it was the manuscript he was reading the other day.

Matthew skimmed each page, seeing the familiar words he read last time. When he was at the middle part of skimming the pages, his eyes lit up as he saw where he stopped reading last time. 'Really, she could just sleep instead of writing.' He commented. Regardless, there's this part of him that was excited for knowing what happened next in the story.

Thirty minutes later, Matthew, who was excited to read more, suddenly froze. His finger that was holding the edge of the paper crumpled.. His eyes fixated on the words: death of Levi.