Chapter 478 - Countdown

"Ahhhh!" 

"Where is he?" Unfazed by the man's screams, Zoey asked as she turned her unwavering sharp eyes towards the man.

Everyone took their sweet time to process what was happening. Even Matthew was stupefied at the woman Zoey was showing. She started her countdown, and they couldn't disturb her countdown or the man screaming as his hand was literally stabbed and pinned on the table.

Carter, Ryan, and Owen who were watching the enormous change of Zoey could only widen their eyes in disbelief. Paul, as well, had his eyes glued on Zoey's figure as he swallowed a mouthful of saliva.

Meanwhile, Ivan just scratched the back of his head while Angelo remained unfazed at the sight before his eyes. "You don't torture people before asking them." Ivan sassed, shaking his head sideways as Zoey was as impatient as ever.

Although in retrospect, Zoey never participated in something like this nor Nikolai forced her to do so, Ivan knew something like this would happen if she did. His guess wasn't wrong, though. Because at this point, the man wouldn't have a break until Zoey squeezed all information from him.

"You're doing it entirely wrong." Ivan added, sighing heavily as he glanced at the man's trembling hand that had a dagger pierced on it. "Ouch…" He shivered, thinking of the pain that man was going through as Ivan rubbed the back of his hand.

"Not… a chance…!" Through his gritted teeth, the man scorned at her loudly. "Even if you kill me, you're just wasting your time!" He added, taking deep and sharp breaths to speak despite the pain in his hand.

"Seven… eight… nine…" Yet, Zoey only continued to count without averting her eyes away from him.

"Even if you count, I wouldn't — urghhh!" The man could not finish his words as he felt the dagger twisting as Zoey moved it ever so slowly. "Why would I kill you? That's an easy escape." Her piercingly cold voice tickled his ears. His eyes witnessed how the corner of her lips crooked.

"I know what could've hurt you more." She added, smirking at him, which made the man's complexion pale for some reason.

"Boss, our men are waiting for you to finish your countdown." Just then, Angelo informed Zoey because she stopped at nine. "Just say the word and they're finished." he added, stressing his words solemnly before glancing at the man.

The people inside witnessed the cocky man even when he was before death change into a terrified one. All eyes were on him and then moving from Zoey to Angelo who came with her.

"What — what are you — you!" The man was pushed to the edge as he thought they got his family. However, no matter how enraged and in pain he was, he could only grind his teeth as his hands trembled.

"He's in the country. I don't know where exactly, but that's what I heard." Slowly, the man hung his head low as he began speaking reluctantly. "I was ordered to bring trouble to Xi Matthew by killing one of his employees." He said, sharing the order he received and should've executed if not for Ivan spoiling it.

"Oh?" Zoey raised her right eyebrows, yet, she twisted the dagger a little more which caused the latter to let out another loud grunt.

"An order is an order! I was forced to do it even though I'm not a part of the family!" In between his grunts, the man bellowed through his gritted teeth. Beads of sweat broke out from his forehead and back, drenching his entire being.

"He said this will be my last mission! I said everything! So, don't you dare touch my wife -- I'll kill you all!" The man threatened, staring at Zoey who leaned back as she stood nodding her head.

"She's pregnant? I mean, your wife?" Unexpectedly, Zoey sighed while Angelo approached her side. Without further ado, Angelo lent her his handkerchief which she accepted to wipe the blood off of her hands.

"What…" Rendered speechless, the man stared blankly at Zoey, baffled at what she was saying.

"Man… why would you wanna die if you have a family waiting for you at home?" Ivan scratched the back of his head, clicking his tongue as he figured what happened.

Meanwhile, Matthew and the rest were rendered speechless. They could only watch the three control the situation which they revered hopeless for going anywhere.

"What are you…" Still puzzled, the man darted his eyes from Angelo to Zoey and then to Ivan. He couldn't find the right words, but deep down, he knew the answer to his question.

"You already know the answer. How will we know who you are and where's your family in a short span of time? It's possible, but not that quick because apparently, we're broke at the moment." In a matter-of-fact tone, Ivan explained as he shook his head to the side.

"It's a bluff, duh? It's too obvious." Ivan sighed giving him the answer directly so everyone didn't need to go through the hassle of guessing.

At this point, the man's brain went blank completely. Meanwhile, Matthew's men gasped in disbelief as their bluff sounded genuine especially how Angelo and Zoey conversed. 

Matthew, on the other hand, could only stare at Zoey in adoration. He was utterly in awe and shocked at how capable she was. 'She's cool…' He whispered internally, having more reason to admire his woman.

"You!" As the man absorbed they conned him to squeeze all information from him, he wanted to assault Zoey but his hand was pinned, literally.

"Are you sure you're going to dwell that you were conned?" Zoey furrowed her brows, tossing the handkerchief on the table. "You know what can happen when you return after messing things up, right?" Her eyes narrowed, leaning on the table as she cocked her head to the side.

"I'll return the favor as my appreciation. The price will hurt a little, but I'm telling you, it's worth it to start a new life with your beloved family." Zoey smirked, winking at the man before she drew back.

Without further ado, Zoey turned to Matthew's direction. "Darling~!" Since the job was finished, Zoey went from cold-blooded to a girl who was surrounded with the pink air of love skipping her steps towards Matthew.

Everyone: "...."