It was a little surprising to Zoey that Matthew agreed that easily. She was ready to argue — or rather, reason out that she needed to go back to the Kwan Mansion.
However, not only did Matthew agree, but he was threatening her? He sounded quite displeased, but Zoey felt that it wasn't because of her going home, but because of something else.
"I — Of course, I will." Zoey stuttered, collecting her thoughts as she shook her head lightly.
"I'm telling you beforehand, I don't like Kwan Zachery just as much as I dislike Nikolai Silvestri." Without casting Zoey a glance, Matthew spoke his mind in a flat tone.
He didn't need to explain anything as he could just say he just didn't like Zachery; as simple as that. After all, Matthew was known to dislike people for no apparent reason.
However, his instincts were always sharp. Those people he didn't want to be acquainted with, turned out to be deceitful people.
If there's no reason for him to be involved with those types of people, Matthew wouldn't let them in his life. But people like Cecil, at the very least, they quench Matthew's boredom.
"Mhmm," Zoey let out a soft tune as she nodded in understanding. "I don't particularly like him as well."
She added, but didn't bother probing Matthew's reason because she figured Matthew had a keen sense to see what's real and fake. Moreover, Zachery reeked of fakery that just by one glance, one would know he wasn't as charitable and kind just like he portrayed to the public.
Or at least, one would notice Zachery's facade from the likes of Matthew. It's good that Matthew already disliked Zachery, though.
"Why, though?" Matthew asked, despite guessing Zoey's reason.
"I..." Zoey's voice trailed off as she looked away, turning her head towards the window.
"Preventing one possible problem in the future."
Zoey uttered, the side of her lips stretched into a subtle smile before she looked back at his side profile. When she met Churu earlier, Zoey had tons of questions that were left unanswered.
However, she believed whatever the dumpling told her. There might be some twist after her death and she wouldn't know that because she apparently died before Inigo.
Did the 'truth' that she believed to be true really the real truth?? Or was her knowledge just the tip of the iceberg?
Zoey had been bound with these questions all day. But, if the answer was the latter, at least, Zoey knew that Zachery's schemes were part of the truth.
Zachery harmed Cora with the help of Inigo. Although Cora's feelings were surprisingly diverted, Zoey felt that Zachery was still a threat to her.
"Mhmm." Matthew nodded in understanding, not asking further questions.
"Will you not ask what it may be?"
"As shady as your disappearance from years ago and suddenly coming back, I already figured what it might be." Matthew cast her a side eye before a smirk resurfaced on his lips.
"You people really like running background checks, huh?"
"Of course. Being at the top bore great responsibility about our surroundings." Matthew shrugged his shoulders nonchalantly as he made a detour and drove towards the Kwan Mansion.
*****
Soon, Matthew stopped in front of the large gate of a private subdivision. He watched the guard jog towards the driver's window and knocked on the window lightly.
The guard leaned down as the window rolled down. Slowly, Matthew turned his gaze towards the guard outside the car while Zoey tilted her head and beamed the guard a wide smile and waved.
"Kwan." Zoey said and turned on the lights of the car for the guard to see her face.
Although Zoey didn't stay with the Kwan for a long time, she befriended a few people so she could enter and leave the private subdivision freely. After all, just like Matthew's residence, outsiders needed a pass or an invitation to enter.
"Oh! Young Miss Kwan!" Upon laying his eyes on Zoey, the guard's brows furrowed before he recognized Zoey.
"It's been a while since your last visit!"
"I know."
"Hehe. Are you staying for good? Young Master Kwan also left us a note earlier." Elated, the guard chuckled as he continued the conversation which obviously made Matthew impatient.
However, just before Matthew's lips parted, Zoey grabbed his arm and squeezed it. Slowly, he turned his head to Zoey who wasn't looking at him and still had her eyes on the guard.
"He probably thought you might have forgotten about me." Zoey humored, chuckling as she shook her head.
"Who would forget you, Young Miss Kwan? Everyone here still wonders when you will visit us again!" The guard's chuckle grew louder as Zoey was truly a humble and kind young lady.
Everyone that works here, be it guards, or just maids knew Zoey. In the past, Zoey often made them lunch or just gave them snacks she made herself.
Although the snacks were horrible and too violent for one's mouth, it was the thought that counts. Overall, everyone was fond of Zoey and even after years of not seeing her, they would recognize her and would treat her the same.
"Anyway, Mother is probably waiting for me. I promised them to join tonight's family dinner." After exchanging words with the guard, Zoey finally changed the topic that snapped the guard back to reality and realized Zoey wasn't there for him.
"Ah, yes!" The guard exclaimed with a huge smile on his face. "Have a good reunion, young miss."
The guard noted before jogging away to open the gates for them. When it opened, Matthew immediately sped away with a frown on his face.
Who would be happy with people talking while he was in the middle? It was an awkward situation — a very uncomfortable situation.
"Babe, you should keep your temper in control all the time. Not all rich people are useful and not all average citizens are useless." Zoey remarked as she chuckled seeing the frown on the side of his lips.
"You know, I befriended almost everyone here and know all the juicy gossip of some families."
Zoey boasted, proud of her feat but Matthew's face remained stoic. Of course, he already guessed that since he knew she's a low key busybody.
Zoey kept on prattling until the car stopped in front of the familiar mansion.
"We're here." He announced, facing Zoey who glanced outside to see the gate she had seen many times in her life.
Slowly, Zoey returned her gaze at Matthew and met his indifferent pair of eyes.
"How did you know the way going here?" She asked, remembering she didn't give Matthew directions.