Chapter 545 - Stupid Nikolai

"Don't ever show your face to me. I'll kill you."

Zoey then walked ever so slowly, brushing past Niko towards Clara. She squatted down, studying the traumatized victim of his wickedness.

Worries and sympathy filled Zoey's eyes as the shock in Clara's eyes dimmed the grace she always bore. Clara only looked up at her with blank eyes, no words coming out of her mouth but her lips and entire body were trembling.

"Can you stand?" Zoey asked in a hush tone, but the latter was just staring at her. "Let's go to the nearest hospital, okay?"

Zoey offered a subtle yet reassuring smile as she held onto Clara's shoulder. Although Zoey's body build was almost the same as Clara, she easily lifted Clara back on her feet.

Clara's hands that were holding Zoey's arm were cold and sweaty. Zoey ignored it but she could feel the overwhelming fear with her trembling.

'Poor thing,' Zoey whispered in her mind.

Zoey wasn't the type who upheld justice -- she's the least person on doing heroic things for others. However, since Niko crashed this party because of her, Zoey felt responsible for this disaster.

"Let's go." Zoey whispered as she escorted Clara whose knees trembled but because of Zoey's help, she managed to take a small step.

"Where are you going?" Just as they took three baby steps, Niko's voice reached from behind them. 

His voice was cold and commanding. Upon hearing his voice, Zoey felt Clara's grip tighten and tremble. She glanced at Clara and she just stopped right there and then.

"I didn't know that not only you're a scum, but deaf as well." Zoey fixated on Clara's hand that was holding her arm tightly, as if a little girl holding her mother for protection.

"I remember, I said it clearly. To the clinic or hospital where she could rest peacefully." Zoey eyes sharpened as she turned her head around, pulling Clara behind her as if they were very close.

"The exact location, I don't know. But, you will know immediately since you're not lacking in resources to know such easy information." 

Zoey added in full sarcasm. She peered at him from head to toe and let out a faint mocking scoff.

How could Zoey even consider making an alliance with this person? She wasn't thinking straight because of her lack of resources.

Agreeing an alliance with Niko because they have a common enemy wouldn't be that simple. Zoey must be dreaming thinking she could get away from the Silva Family once she gave her verbal agreement with him.

"Zia." Niko called out in a low yet hair-raising tone. "Are you saying you're choosing someone else over me again?" 

Niko's eyes fixated onto Zoey's. The tension between them grew thicker as neither of them talked for a while.

"Again?" Niko repeated with more stress in the word to emphasize its meaning.

"For whatever reason you flew here, it is none of my business. I helped you know your sneaky brother is alive -- I owe you nothing, neither do you owe me anything." Yet, Zoey didn't give him a definite answer, but clarified the line between them.

"Hah!" Niko scoffed, shifting his eyes full of killing intent towards Clara hiding behind Zoey. "Alright, if that's what you want."

Niko nodded in understanding, taking a step back before he smirked at Clara who unconsciously glimpsed at him. Zoey studied Niko's expression and she could instantly discern it was not 'alright'.

"I always act in your best interest. If that's what you want, I'll keep my hands off."

"Don't make me your enemy as well, Niko." Zoey warned as she didn't dare look away from Niko's eyes until her eye contact made it clear to him. 

"You know what I'm capable of."

With that being said, Zoey resumed assisting Clara away from Niko's vicinity. They took it one step at the time and to Zoey's relief, Niko didn't say any crap and let them be.

"Hah!" When Zoey and Clara were at the end of the corridor, the side of Niko's lips tilted into an amused smirk. 

"Zia's feistiness never fails to amaze me, really." Niko chuckled faint as he shook his head. 

By the looks of it, Niko was not displeased at Zoey's action. If anything, it amused him. Although Clara was quite admirable, Zoey was truly different; she's… incomparable.

The more Zoey refused him, the more it fueled his eagerness. Be it then and now, Niko found her more and more desirable.

Well, only a person like Zoey was suited to be his queen. A weak-willed and damsel in distress would only cause him trouble. But a reliable woman such as Zoey was just perfect -- definitely his type.

"Boss." Just as Zoey and her company turned to leave the long corridor, a man's voice came from behind Niko.

"Professor Meng wants to meet you." The man informed Niko didn't reply immediately as he watched Zoey until their shadow vanished.

"Sure."

After a minute, Niko finally responded as he turned around and followed a man in a suit inside the event hall.

****

[Minutes before Zoey and Clara left the corridor]

"Don't ever show your face to me. I'll kill you."

Matthew stopped in his tracks upon hearing Zoey's voice. He came from the direction where Zoey and Clara would exit minutes later.

He could hear muffled sounds but not clearly. Matthew wanted to make haste and come to Zoey's aid. However, for some reason, he couldn't drag his feet further. He just stood there, listening to vague noises.

"Where are you going?" When Matthew heard the man's voice, he balled his hands into a fist. His mind instantly discerned the owner of the voice: Niko.

Since the corridor was long and empty, whatever sound taking place echoes. Matthew had the sudden urge to step in, but for some reason, he still remained in his spot. Perhaps, deep down, he figured that Zoey was enraged and was hoping she would cut her ties with him right there and then.

"You know what I'm capable of."

Upon hearing Zoey's last remarks, Matthew heaved a slight sigh of relief. 'This is for the best.' 

Matthew muttered internally before leaving his spot and waited for Zoey to come out to the exit.. 'Stupid Nikolai.'