Chapter 393 - What Are You Saying?

"Uh, damn…" Zoey sighed, shaking her head as this was her nth sigh.

Meanwhile, Ivan was still out of his senses. After the whole ordeal earlier, he still couldn't figure out how Zoey knew Angelo was in the warehouse. Even Ivan couldn't split his attention aside from worrying they wouldn't make it out.

"Sis, are you sure Angelo was there? Did you really see him there?" Ivan asked, casting Zoey a helpless look as his mind was already filled with question marks. He needed to restore some brain cells and have some clearance.

He needed to clear his personal memory storage, or else, he would truly go insane. So many questions coming one after another but none was answered. Zoey couldn't blame Ivan, though.

Ivan was used to receiving orders and getting briefed by Nikolai about his missions. In other words, he was used to being spoon fed by information. Not that he doesn't make his own investigation. He just trusted Zoey that much that he didn't want to investigate himself.

"Nope." Zoey shook her head once, didn't even cast him a glance as she answered.

"What do you mean 'no'? You're not sure he's there?" Frustrated, Ivan queried immediately as a frown curved on his lips.

"I am a hundred percent sure he's there. No for the latter question." Zoey shot him a side eye, clicking her tongue that had a touch of disappointment. "Ivan, you're too trusting of people you consider your family. We might end up pushing you to your death." She sighed, returning her focus on the road.

'Back then, I thought this trait of his is adorable. That's why I was a little sad when I met him again seven years from now. I thought he had changed… he had matured. Guess he'll always be like this, forever.' Inside her mind, Zoey recalled the time Ivan visited the fully established Z Image Group.

It was the time when she had just started dating Matthew. Back then, in her previous life, Ivan was cold. He barely spoke unlike right now. One could tell he had grown into a fine man in seven years. However, not long after that meeting, Ivan died without her knowing.

He died and Nikolai left his death a mystery to her; she was told that he had failed a mission. That's all. But now that she thought more about it, Ivan might be a little dummy sometimes, but he was capable. Even against a more capable enemy, Zoey was certain Ivan would find a way for himself to escape.

'Unless, someone like Angelo betrayed him.' Zoey's inner voice intervened. Her mind wandered as she pondered on other concerns that had resurfaced recently. 'Just what happened to the Silva Family during these times? Inigo wouldn't be able to bring them down in a single night. If taking down that family is his aim then… he would have begun prepared long before that.' Zoey muttered internally, talking to herself as she was the only one who could understand these worries.

Indeed, Inigo couldn't successfully bring the Silva Family down in a single night. That only happened in fictional novels. After all, the Silva Family was one of the most influential and powerful organizations in their continent and other parts of the world.

Therefore, surpassing them would take years of preparation. How many? Zoey was unsure. But what she was certain of was that Inigo was already making his moves slowly; too slow that no one would even notice.

While Zoey rummaged her brain to reach a conclusion, her head hurt from all the immense pondering. "Ivan, do you have any idea of what's happening to the Silva Family?" Out of frustration of worrying about it without any clear information, Zoey inquired.

"Huh?" Ivan furrowed his brows, turning to look at her annoyed side profile. "I don't know. I've been here for months, trying to convince you to go back." He shrugged, admitting he barely heard anything from the family. "Well, if something urgent happened, Niko would order me to return. So, since I haven't heard anything from him, I guess everything is fine." In a matter-of-fact tone, Ivan explained further.

"*Sigh*" Zoey sighed, shaking her head sideways. "Why did I even ask? I know you'd say this." She murmured, realizing that Niko wouldn't share information with Ivan unless it was a huge, concerning one.

"What?" Annoyed at her slow mumbling, Ivan frowned.

"Nothing. I'm just thinking of flying to EU." She shook her head lightly, explaining the basic plans she had in mind. "But with Z Image Group's current state, I won't be available till three months later." Another sigh slipped past her lips, Zoey's head felt like throbbing as she never realized going back in time wasn't really an easy cheat to success.

Zoey barely knew anything in this lifetime. Her knowledge was limited to herself -- focused on her life. In other words, Zoey was unaware of other people's lives during this year. Be it Nikolai, Ivan, Cora, Kenneth, Enzo, Matthew, and everyone else, Zoey has limited clues or none at all.

'Niko will be in heaven if you visit EU." Ivan arched his right brow, a little surprised that she was considering returning to their 'home' country. "What with the sudden change of mind?" He asked, curious to know what was going on inside her mind.

"Nothing." Zoey waved her hand off, and then supported her temple by the back of her hand. "Forget that I mentioned." She added, realizing it was a bad idea if Ivan accidentally spilled this question of her in front of Nikolai.

"Alright…?" 

Just then, Ivan's phone rang. He took out his phone, seeing the same number Nikolai used earlier. "It's Niko." Ivan said, shifting his gaze to her.

"Answer it," With that being said, Ivan answered the call.

Seconds later, the line was finally connected. "Zia…" The two of them could tell the ominous aura just by hearing Nikolai's voice. "Why did you do that?" Devoid of any affection that usually laced his voice while talking to her, Nikolai asked.

"I hate this business." WIthout batting an eye, Zoey bluntly answered. "Smuggling weapons is one thing, but why would you sell drugs now?" She asked, rolling her eyes.

"Who said I'm selling them?"

"Oh, right. You're just distributing them?" Zoey replied with sarcasm, reducing her speed as they entered the city by the farthest route one wouldn't bother taking if not necessary. After all, Zoey was avoiding surveillance cameras so no one would be able to track her down by following where she went.

"No. Who said I'm selling drugs? Just because Angelo was sent to be part of Cecil's small gang doesn't mean I'm selling drugs." In a matter-of-fact tone, Nikolai explained. "But what you just did now, Cecil will surely track you down." He sighed, adding his concern about Zoey's crazy stunt.

For a moment, Zoey narrowed her eyes as she absorbed his words. "You didn't know those men responsible? Then who was the one that called previously?" 

"Zia, did you forget? You're the only one who goes on a mission alone; everyone else were pairs." Nikolai sighed, shaking his head sideways. "Also, how did you two found out about Angelo's situation? Calling you is just my wild guess." Nikolai then asked in puzzlement, causing Zoey's brows to knit together before she suddenly pulled over.

"What are you saying?" She asked, snatching the phone from Ivan.