Chapter 470 - Not That Soon

"Hey, Carter." Ryan glanced at Carter, however, the latter walked faster without a word. As Carter walked further ahead in the corridor, Ryan frowned.

"Let him be." Owen muttered languidly, crossing his arms at the back of his head while walking beside Ryan. "His ego is hurt." He added, shrugging his shoulder as if he didn't care much about the discussion during their breakfast.

"You're just saying that because it wasn't you who was talked down like that." Displeased at Owen's behaviour, Ryan stopped in his tracks. He gazed at Owen from head to toe as he halted in his steps and pivoted his upper body to face him.

"That's right." Without further ado, Owen dropped his arms and shoved his hand inside his pocket. "I don't care because I am not the one who was humiliated." Slowly, he took out a pack of cigarettes and lighter from his pockets.

Owen slowly clipped a stick of cigarette in between his lips before placing the pack inside his pocket. "Not that I will ever put myself in the same situation." His eyes were on Ryan before he slowly lit his cigarette.

"Huh…" Ryan scoffed, watching him take a long drag of the cigarette as Owen returned his lighter back inside his pocket suit. 

"The problem with you is that you're biased." As Owen puffed the smoke in the air, he pointed his hand at Ryan. "You know, deep down, Carter crossed the line." In a matter-of-fact tone, Owen turned to the direction where Carter had stormed off.

"Although his actions and train of thoughts were way out of his character because he was worried about Master, he needed to keep his head together. After all, we all know that what Miss Z said has some point." Slowly, Owen returned his gaze back to Ryan. 

Once again, Owen took another long drag and puffed the smoke in the air. "You guys need to adapt because the game can change anytime. Our pride might be hurt because the Master is favoring someone new…" He paused before walking ahead slowly.

"...But, that doesn't mean we have to unreasonably pick on her. I kinda prefer someone like her instead of a goddess who only knows how to be pretty." As he walked away, Owen continued his statement without looking back.

Indeed, Owen might've found Zoey annoying at first, or rather, he didn't have a good impression of the woman. However, he wasn't dumb to discern if she was a friend or a foe. In his perspective, Zoey was just a smart, cunning woman.

It was his gut feelings. A feeling that he was more relieved about that she was an ally instead of an enemy. After all, having an enemy whose capabilities were hidden was more terrifying than the ones they already knew.

With that being said, Ryan was the only one left standing in his spot. Carter had already left and Owen followed after him as well. He sighed, raising his eyes back in the direction where the two had left.

"I already know that." He muttered, sighing once again as he shook his head. "I'm not stupid." He added, shaking his head sideways.

Of course, Ryan couldn't disagree with Owen. Zoey had stupefied them ever since they met her. He also knew that whoever she truly was, she's dangerous. Still, for some reason, they knew that even if she bore ulterior motives, harming Matthew wasn't one of them.

They didn't attain their position in this family due to luck. The three of them must be exceptional, reliable, and smart. It was just that, Ryan wanted to act as a friend and comrade to Carter. Unlike Owen who never bothered with something like this, Ryan was completely different. He wanted to keep their bond strong as ever.

"Does she really need the training?" Before Ryan began walking again, he tilted his head to the side as he wondered. Still, since it was an order from none other than Matthew, everyone could only abide.

*****

"Are you sure you're going?" Matthew asked, propping his jaw by the back of his hand while sitting on the head seat. Currently, they were in the living area where Zoey was eating pudding for dessert while he watched her.

"Yep!" As she scooped the pudding, she answered and immediately shoved the spoon in her mouth. "You won't stop me, right?" Slowly, she raised her head and met his gaze.

"No." Without batting an eye, Matthew responded. "I'll trust you that you will come back tonight." In a matter-of-fact tone, Matthew uttered. His words, although spoken simply laid a heavy weight on her shoulders.

"I can trust you with that?" He queried, cocking his head to the side as his right brow arched.

"Of course!" Almost immediately, Zoey replied with a smug grin on her lips. "I like this place -- it makes me feel like a princess~" She didn't find the need to sugarcoat or hide her thoughts regarding the set up he wanted with her. After all, Zoey wanted to keep him close and watch his back for him.

With the current situation with Matthew, Zoey would only be at ease with him around her. She could trust his men, but an additional eye and brain on his side wouldn't be in his disadvantage, right?

"Good," Pleased, Matthew nodded his head in satisfaction. Just then, he caught Paul's figure intruding which made him shift his eyes to his assistant.

As Paul entered the living area, Ryan and Carter were following behind him. "Young Master," Paul bowed his head, causing Matthew to wave his hand lightly.

"Escort her for today." Without further ado, Matthew ordered.

Upon hearing his command, Zoey knitted her brows as she stared at him in puzzlement. "Escort me?" She repeated in a questioning tone.

"Yes," Matthew nodded his head. "I can't let you alone knowing there are people coming after me." Just like her, he explained his side why he decided to send his two squad captains with her.

"They're coming at you, not to me." Zoey, who was moved by this simple gesture still argued. "How about you?" Her question was obviously the same question like everyone in the living area -- including Paul who went against the idea but to no avail.

"They wouldn't kill me." After a second, Matthew leaned back languidly. "Not that soon.." He affirmed, the corner of his lips curling into a smirk as he left what he meant to be vague.