Chapter 453 - Shades Of Matthew

"If not for your son, you would have buried her alive, won't you?" 

'Buried whom alive?' Zoey repeated internally, her brows knitted as she felt that this had something to do with her, one way or another. Her ears perked up, wanting to hear more of this conversation that seemed to tug at her heart to not look.

It enveloped the entire first floor in nothing but eerie silence. No one dared to answer, and even the dignified General Bai looked away as he cleared his throat. Matthew's eyes scanned the faces of everyone present.

"Everyone here has powers they wouldn't have achieved in this lifetime if not for my help." In a matter-of-fact tone, Matthew uttered. His tone was confident, and no one actually retorted that as it was a hundred percent true.

"If I can take you to the heights you're currently at, do you think revolting means I can't push you off from the plane we're in?" The side of his lips curled into a cunning smirk, yet his eyes remained sharp. They were as sharp as his tongue that could pierce even the thickest person on earth.

Slowly, Matthew straightened his head, and his hands were linked together in his lap. "How dare you sentence her to death without my permission?" Cold and intimidating, Matthew asked, but his words only passed by their ears but none of them answered.

"General Bai, it seems that you had something to say earlier. Why don't you say it now?" Since no one had the guts to answer him now, Matthew turned to General Bai because only he had the nerve to muster his courage and answer.

"As I've said, Young Master, we've acted according to what we see right. It is true that our Bai Family wouldn't retain the power we have if not for the Xi Family, particularly, Young Master. That's why, if any harm comes your way, we wouldn't hesitate to ensue even the most gruesome death, that's out of our morals and principles, to that person." After clearing his throat, General Bai explained. His tone this time was more polite, glancing at Matthew to express his sincerest gesture.

"A kill without an investigation?" Matthew tilted his head to the side, chuckling as if what he had heard was utter nonsense to him. "Or, everyone here just couldn't wait to push the blame onto someone who you thought did what you always wanted to do?" He arched his right brow, seeing that some of them broke out in sweat.

"That's nonsense, Young Master Xi!" Almost instantly, General Bai exclaimed. "We wouldn't dare to even think of putting you in harm's way! Madam Xi gave the order to kill the woman if you didn't wake up, and we followed the order!" General Bai defended, justifying their actions as rational because they were loyal to the Xi Family.

After all, with Matthew unconscious, everyone would automatically listen to Vivian. Therefore, it may have sounded vicious and heartless, but they released an order to bury Zoey alive for her crimes. However, that order didn't stop there; it was only the beginning.

Still, Matthew was unmoved. "I don't recall giving anyone the power to take command if something happened to me." The rational reasoning didn't affect him as he remained cold.

When Matthew dropped those words, the room's temperature dropped to zero degrees. Even during winter, they never felt this kind of coldness that invisibly pierced their skins. "Even if it's my mother, why would you listen to her? Is she me?" Matthew fixed his gaze onto General Bai who was rendered speechless as this young man who was three times younger to him, yet was talking down to him.

Well, not that age mattered in this world. What mattered was status, power, and influence. A man could be at a toddler's mercy if they had those. Also, wits and ability to lead; Matthew had all those. Thus, even if General Bai held the title of the General, he still had to suck up to him because Matthew held more influence.

"We've been working hand in hand. You need my word and wealth to retain your positions. Why don't you know why I keep you all despite getting less in the bargain?" Still bearing the same tune, Mathew questioned. This time, his eyes moved across the people around him.

"Because it's a hassle." He shrugged, giving them the simplest answer to that question. "Everyone is irreplaceable. That's why the moment you think of revolting, be prepared to bid your farewell. Although it would be such a shame and a waste of time." His words were unwavering, and as always, carried zero filter as he reminded them of their disposition.

Matthew stood at the top. The people below him were all the same in his eyes. They might gain a portion of power, but that didn't mean they could take him down easily. 

After all, Matthew didn't need them. He only needed pawns to fill the position they were in, which he could easily be replaced by another person if the current one grew greedy and wanted more.

Slowly, Matthew assisted himself up. He gazed down at the person who was still kowtowing before him. Without batting an eye, he stepped on the back of the man's head, his hands inside his pocket. 

"Look at this lieutenant here, he only had a taste of power and he wanted more." Matthew pivoted his heel, drilling it on the man's head whose hands were curling into a fist at the weight of Matthew's foot.

The side of his lips curled into a smirk, showing no remorse at his heartless action. "Say, didn't you say you'll pass my woman to the entire battalion before burying her? Well, I guess it was the lack of discipline, General Bai, that these men turned into nothing but filthy humans." Matthew's foot drilled harder, his usual cool composure and demeanor changed as his jaw tightened.

General Bai and the rest remained silent, watching how Matthew vented his frustration onto this man. No one was surprised how the word reached Matthew, but since they had already perceived Zoey as a dead woman, some of them thought that she wasn't that bad and might as well play with her.

The General didn't hear this until Paul came to him and told him to gather everyone. The latter then went on to explain the situation and included this part of the story. Thus, although the lieutenant was an admirable soldier, General Bai had done his best to save him but to no avail.

"Dredd, are you hungry?" After a minute, Matthew stopped and turned his attention to his dear black cat. 

"Young Master Xi, please, don't let Dredd eat me! I swear it's a mistake and we truly thought of tormenting her for hurting you. I didn't know she was your woman…!" The man who was kowtowing snapped upon Matthew's question to his black cat. He was desperate as he croaked through his cracked and pale lips when he raised his head. 

"It is your problem for being ignorant." Yet, Matthew's eyes that were staring down at him took away the dim hope in the man's eyes. He then began walking away while Dredd finally moved towards the man.

"No, no, no!!" The man shook his head, before jolting away. However, it was only a matter of time when the sound of flesh being ripped apart resounded across the entire mansion.

Watching this from the indoor balcony, Zoey gasped and covered her mouth. She immediately looked away when Dredd chased the man, hiding behind the railings with her back against it.. 'What the hell is going on here?!' Her mind screamed, horrified at what she had witnessed and heard.