Chapter 578 - Improvements

Hours later…

After Zoey explained that she was being 'asked' by her foster parents to come home, Vivian finally agreed. Thus, Vivian discharged her from being admitted in the hospital and took her to one of the places where Vivian usually hung out and relaxed.

Vivian and Zoey spent all afternoon relaxing. Although they talked little, it satisfied Zoey to have a moment to unwind. This brief time with Vivian, Zoey forgot the burden of the previous life and the current lifetime as she enjoyed nature.

"I called Matty and he's on the way to pick you up." After sipping on a cup of tea, Vivian uttered.

Zoey stretched her lips into a smile and nodded.

"Are you sure you're not taking my offer?" Vivian asked for one last time, arching her right brow as she fixed her eyes on Zoey's.

"Yes." Zoey affirmed politely. "But I appreciate Madam Xi's kind gesture."

"Auntie." Vivian corrected. "Madam Xi sounds distant. You're my son's girlfriend, after all." 

Vivian added, clearing her throat as she looked away. Zoey noticed the little awkwardness seeping from Vivian's expression, which made her giggle faintly.

Zoey didn't expect to get Vivian's approval this soon. After all, the latter was just bribing her this morning to stay away from her son. But now, she was sort of accepting her?

Surely, Vivian was Vivian whether it was in their previous lifetime or the current one. She's too easy to please. Little did Zoey know, there was something why Vivian was easily grew fond of Zoey; it was because the heart and soul never forget.

Even if the memories were gone, the feeling of familiarity would always be there. The reason people started believing in reincarnation and sort of phenomenal occurrences.

"Okay… Auntie Xi." Zoey meekly called out, smiling as her heart swelled with happiness and satisfaction.

At the very least, Zoey didn't need to worry about having problems with Vivian. With their improving relationship, Zoey could not ask for more.

"Good." Pleased, Vivian nodded in satisfaction before she narrowed her eyes at Zoey and picked up her cup of tea.

Slowly, Vivian raised the cup of tea to her lips before asking, "If you don't mind me asking, why are you going home after all these years? I know it's rude of me to run a background check on you, but I heard that you've been living alone and didn't accept help and financial support from the Kwan Family. Are they maltreating you?"

After Vivian said that in one go, she went on to sip her tea while her eyes on Zoey. She watched Zoey's reaction and waited for her to reply as this had been bugging Vivian upon hearing Zoey going home.

"Heh, no, Madam Xi."

"Auntie."

"Right…" Zoey chuckled as she somehow got used to the formality to address Vivian in this lifetime.

"It's not like that. Mom Sarah and Brother Zion are kind people. They will never maltreat me. If anything, I feel guilty that I've strayed too far that I couldn't spend time with them." Zoey explained with a loving smile.

However, Vivian's already arched brow raised even more. "How about Mister Kwan?"

Zoey remained silent for a while as she hung her head low and stared at her reflection through the still tea. Her fingers played on the mouth on the cup, forcing a smile on her lips before raising her head back to Vivian.

"Of course, he is a good person." Zoey lied. 

"The Kwans are good people and I don't want them to think I am taking advantage of them. I'm already grateful that they were willing to adopt me even if they didn't know me."

Half of Zoey's explanation was true. Zachery aside, everyone in the Kwan was good and welcoming people. It would surprise people how the Kwan Family reached their current standing without any underhanded means.

All families had black sheeps. And that evil force in the Kwan was Zachery. It would be unfair for the Kwan to be judged just because of one person. That's why Zoey forgot about exacting her revenge towards her biological father, because she didn't want to ruin Sarah and Zion's peace.

But now, although Zoey didn't plan to ruin that peace, she needed to put Zachery in his place. She didn't want him meddling in Zion's business to a harmful extent. Even though Zion and Cora's future seemed to have changed with Ivan in the picture.

"Oh?" However, Vivian was too sharp to buy her explanation. Yet, she didn't nitpick and let it go for now.

Deep down, Vivian knew Zoey was hiding something. Whatever it was, Vivian knew Zoey had a reason.

"What a wonderful child you are, Zoey." Vivian praised with a smile and Zoey just laughed awkwardly.

'How I wish I am.' Zoey thought internally, a little guilty as she thought she was deceiving Vivian with her character.

"I should've tagged along since you two seemed to enjoy the day." Just then, Matthew's voice reached their ear, which made the two turn to his direction.

A smile instantly resurfaced on Zoey's lips while Vivian didn't seem pleased that her son arrived that fast. She just informed him that he could pick up Zoey half an hour ago and he's here now? How fast did his driver drive the car to reach the country club that soon?

"You're here." Vivian uttered flatly, not concealing her displeasure at her son's presence.

"Of course! I was near the area." Matthew shrugged, ignoring the hostility his mother towards him and stood beside Zoey.

"Hey, how's your day? Did Mom bully you?" Gazing down, Matthew asked Zoey as he brushed her hair lovingly.

Seeing this, Vivian scoffed as her son was purposely ignoring her and implying how bad Vivian could be.

"You're saying nonsense." Zoey chuckled as she reached for his hand on her head. However, Zoey unconsciously used her bandaged hand, which made Matthew furrow his brows, and he grabbed her wrist.

"What happened?" Matthew intrigued menacingly, shifting his piercing glare towards her mother, who let out a series of coughs and looked away.