Chapter 579 - Problem Solved?

"Mom… care to explain how Zoey injured her hand?" His tone cold, his eyes piercing that struck Vivian's very soul.

Vivian cleared her throat, raising her head proudly as she breathed in and out.

"It's my fault." Vivian admitted, taking full responsibility for Zoey's injured hand.

Upon hearing his mother's answer, Matthew's jaw tightened. His already piercing eyes grew menacingly as if Vivian did not deserve any mercy.

Sure, Matthew had been listening to his mother and never glared at her in his life. However, just the thought that Vivian went overboard and caused Zoey's harm, his mind short-circuited.

Zoey had been through a lot. Even if Vivian was still not desperate for him to get married because he was young -- unlike their previous life -- she shouldn't hurt Zoey!

"No, it's not like that." Zoey intervened as she sensed the tension between the mother and son.

Although she knew her husband well, Zoey had started thinking the young Matthew was different. He was more unpredictable and deep down, she knew Matthew might lash out on his mother not knowing the details of how she got her injury.

"No, it's like that." However, Vivian was quick to reject Zoey's help as she stared at her son.

"I took Zoey to my shopping spree and while she was carrying the pile of clothes I didn't need or even like, she knocked a vase. She fell and her hand got injured by the piece of the broken vase." Vivian summarized with a straight face.

Vivian, although distressed at her own childish action, wanted to take responsibility. This was her fault, blinded by fear that Zoey bore ulterior motives. However, in just the brief time with her, Vivian was enlightened that the reason Zoey was with her son was not because she's after their wealth.

She was with Matthew because of love. Matthew was smart to know a person's motives towards him. Vivian was at fault for underestimating her capable son as well.

Saying 'sorry' wouldn't make up for that. Thus, Vivian, as a grown woman, wanted to be accountable for this incident. She wouldn't allow Zoey to cover up for her. That's too shameful for a person like Vivian.

"Mother…" Upon hearing Vivian's explanation, Matthew called out through his gritted teeth.

Vivian remained unfazed, staring back at the blazing pair of russet eyes that were on her. She perked her chin up, keeping her proud front as if she would take anything with a straight face.

"Uh…" As the tension between them grew suffocating, Zoey gulped a mouthful of saliva and cleared her throat loudly. 

"How can you make up for this injury you caused her?" Matthew asked, his tone colder than ever and Vivian exhaled deeply.

"I pressed charges." Vivian replied.

Zoey furrowed her brows in confusion. 'Press charges?' She wondered internally as she didn't quite get the grasp of it.

"I pressed charges against myself under your name. I apologize to little Zoey for everything, but I know words aren't enough." Vivian explained as she glanced at Zoey who gasped in disbelief.

"Good." Upon hearing his mother's action, Matthew nodded in understanding. And yet, he seemed like it didn't appease him as he turned to Zoey.

"I'll ask for a restraining order against you. You can never go near her." 

Matthew added coldly. This might sound heartless of him, but when he said he wanted to protect Zoey, he would do it even if it means being the most heartless person. 

Zoey cried and asked for his help. Thus, even if it was his family members, he wouldn't let them touch her or hurt her as soon as they pose a potential threat in this lifetime. He couldn't let that happen again.

"Sounds good." Vivian nodded in agreement, not arguing about her son's decision.

After all, Vivian would do the same if someone harmed her son. No, she wouldn't do the same; she would return it hundred-fold and make the people who caused her son harm. 

"Wait, wait!" As Zoey heard their agreement, she chimed in with an aghast look on her face. "That's not necessary!"

She exclaimed, pinching the space between her brows. "This is getting out of hand for just a minor injury!" 

"But it's still an injury caused by my mother."

"But it's still an injury caused by me." 

Vivian and Matthew answered in unison. Their tone was flat as they turned their determined gaze on Zoey's.

Upon hearing their same response, the corner of Zoey's lips twitched. By the looks of it, the two of them were determined to take action on the matter concerning her and wouldn't change their minds.

"Uh… won't you guys change your mind?" After a minute of contemplation while darting her eyes from Matthew to Vivian, Zoey inquired bearing a conflicted look on her face.

"No." They both answered at the same time again.

"But I like Auntie Xi." Since they were determined, Zoey was forced to pull out her trump card called the 'guilt-trip' card.

"She didn't mean to hurt me and I get that Auntie Xi wanted to be held accountable for an accident we both didn't see coming. But, if you press charges, how can we be together? I can't even talk or spend time for us to get to know each other? I don't think… no, this is proper if we're dating seriously. Don't you want me to be in good terms with your family?"

Zoey raised her brows as she gazed up at Matthew. Both mother and son remained silent as the thick air around them subsided gradually.

"We shouldn't be stuck up on this small incident. Move on, learn our lesson, and try to see things differently. Shouldn't we be doing that instead of shutting out people immediately? There's always second chances." 

After Zoey spouted her additional wisdom, there was a long silence. None of them uttered a single word as Matthew glanced at his mother while Vivian did the same.

"Fine." With a heavy sigh, Matthew conceded. "But if my mother caused you harm again, there's no more chances."

"Huh! Same. If my son hurt you little Z, there's no second chances. I'll disown him and he wouldn't get a dime from me!" Vivian scoffed, shifting her gaze to Matthew.

Zoey somehow saw the brief electricity clashing by their gazes. Yet, she didn't say anything and sported a forced smile on her lips.

'I guess the problem is solved?' Zoey uttered internally as she secretly heaved a sigh of relief.