Chapter 426 - Are You Out Of Your Mind?

The next day…

"What's wrong with you?" After their morning meeting with her staff, Zoey glanced at Angelo who was left in the office with her. "You didn't return or answer my emails the whole day. You only returned at night with that guy. Don't you want your company to bloom? Earn tons of money and you know what I'm about to say." He berated, staring at his boss whose mind was wandering somewhere else all throughout the morning meeting.

"Not now, Mom." Zoey rolled her eyes, her words laced with sarcasm. "Of course, I know my responsibilities. Something unexpected happened, so I didn't reply okay?" Zoey added, leaning back lazily.

"Something happened?" Angelo raised his brows, narrowing his eyes as he stared at her suspiciously.

"Apparently, she was held captive by the authority under murder suspicion." Suddenly, Ivan's voice reached their ear. He was taking a nap on the long couch -- his favorite spot. 

"What?" Angelo snapped, his ears flapped as soon as he heard Ivan's news. "Murder? Who did you kill?" He asked, staring at Zoey in dismay.

"Gee! I didn't, duh?" Zoey cringed, she returned the look of dismay being cast upon her by Ivan. "I'm dating a very important man. So, it's not his fault if he fainted after eating my food." Zoey argued in a matter-of-fact tone.

"What?" Suddenly, Ivan turned his head to her direction. "You cooked for him? That's attempted murder, no?" Since Zoey didn't go into details about what happened to her last night, Ivan assumed that Zoey tried to show off and cook for Matthew.

The last time Ivan ate Zoey's cooking, everyone in the Silva Family vowed to not let her enter the kitchen ever again. Even Nikolai who simped for Zoey couldn't disagree as her dish was literally out of this world! It would send anyone who eats her cooking to the netherlands -- an instant kill! 

"What the -- can you clean the office, you sloth?!" Zoey gasped being dissed right on her face. Sure, she wasn't a great cook during this timeline. However, she had lived twice already.

Thus, even if she cooked for Matthew now, she was certain he would love it as she grew to master the art of cooking. How dare he insult her magical hands which could almost do everything?

"Oh, you didn't know but it's my day off." Ivan shrugged indifferently.

"Huh?" Upon hearing Ivan's remarks, she turned to Angelo who was in charge in the office yesterday. 

"That's better than him burning down the office. Not that he needs to clean the whole day -- your people know their stuff." Angelo explained as Zoey's employees were neat at least. There wasn't much trash in the office and Ivan's job was actually easy.

"Also, we don't get paid here. I can do my chores when I come back after my date." Ivan said, checking his phone as he wasn't interested in Zoey's affairs anymore. 

"What date?" Zoey's nose scrunched up, casting Ivan a disdainful glare.

"Secret." Ivan only glanced at her before returning his gaze back to his phone.

"You --"

"Don't divert the subject, boss." Before Zoey could throw a huge fit at Ivan's stressful behaviour, Angelo intervened. "You were held captive by the police? What if they find out your history? Do you think you can get away with it easily?" His tone was solemn as he sat at the chair near Zoey.

"Don't worry about it," Stressed, Zoey rubbed her palms against her face. 

"Oh, I got to go. See you later." Just then, Ivan got up from the couch and grabbed his jacket. When he was by the door, he stopped and turned his head towards them. "Also, Angelo, that lady will ditch the office again to have a date." After saying his piece, Ivan immediately headed out before Zoey exploded.

The second Ivan closed the door behind him, Angelo frowned and turned to Zoey. "Ugh… don't nag me. I'm doing this for the bigger picture, alright?! This entire building, I will need it." Zoey explained, feeling as if she was explaining her side of the story to her mother.

If only she would know that Angelo would boss her around, she wouldn't offer him, or rather, accept Ivan's proposal to take him under her wing. However, she couldn't just cut him off because he annoyed her because Ivan had already informed Nikolai about him.

Although Ivan and Nikolai were left in the dark about Zoey and Angelo's talk that night, they still believed that he was an ally. At least, Ivan thought he was a hundred percent ally while Nikolai just trusted Zoey's judgment. Nevertheless, Zoey was certain Angelo wouldn't hurt Ivan, or she would cut him herself before he could do so.

There was a moment of silence after Zoey's explanation. For some reason, Angelo remained silent as he pursed his lips into a thin line. When his lips parted, he uttered, "You're my boss now. I won't let anyone distract you from the most important plan, remember that." His tone was solemn, a glint of resolve flashing across his eyes.

"Don't touch him." Zoey sensed the threat and resolve in his tone, raising her head as she was displeased at it. 

"I won't, but you will." Without batting an eye, Angelo responded sternly. "With Inigo in the picture, even if you actually like that man, he will be used against you." He added, his fingers tapped against the surface of the table lightly.

"Don't underestimate him." Zoey shook her head, tilting her head back. "I initially thought of that, but…" Zoey paused, a faint sigh slipped past her lips. "I'm considering dragging him along to hell with us." Her tone lowered, recalling what transpired yesterday.

"Are you out of your mind?" Her remark didn't sit well with the latter as he frowned. "No one would want to be in the same situation as you and me. Neither you nor I wished to live a life like this. We're just unfortunate to have our eyes facing this side of reality." In a matter-of-fact tone, Angelo reminded her.

It was true, though. Wasn't the reason Zoey chose to cut ties with the Silva Family in the past was because she finally got a chance to turn a new leaf? Angelo was sure that she would continue living like everyone else, pursuing her career as a businesswoman if only Inigo wasn't alive.

Then, why did she think Matthew would want to be involved in this? Sure, he was more powerful and influential than everyone expected. However, someone like him who had a peaceful life earning loads of millions wouldn't waste his time wandering around the darker side of the world, would he?

"Just because," Zoey just shrugged her shoulders. "Having an influential ally isn't that bad, right? After all, we are not only facing Inigo at the moment, but also other forces who are attending the party. Also, it's not that the Silva Family is enough as our reinforcement." Zoey slowly assisted herself up, placing her hands on the table as she pushed herself up.

Just then, there was a light knock from outside the door before Melanie opened it. "Boss Zhou, Young Master Xi is outside." 

"On my way." Zoey just nodded which made Melanie nod back before closing the door again to relay her message.

"Anyway, I'm still considering this matter. Don't think about it so much because my plan will soon play out." Zoey beamed him a reassuring smirk, causing Angelo to knit his brows. "So, let me go on a date because I have tons of things to confirm.." Zoey remarked, an inexplicable glint flashing across her eyes.