Chapter 609 - What Have You Done To These Three People?

"Thanks, Brother Zion." Zoey expressed as soon as she hitched inside the passenger seat before turning to the driver's seat where Zion had taken seat.

After buckling up his seatbelt, Zion faced her and smiled. "Who else will drop you off if not me?" 

Zoey chuckled as she realized after their meal that she didn't have a car. After all, Matthew dropped her off last night. Hence, she didn't have her car to drive herself to Z Image Building.

Although there were available cars in the Kwan manor, they were all Zach's. Zoey didn't want to owe Zach no matter how petty it was. That was the reason why she asked Zion to drive her, which he agreed to without second hesitation.

With that being said, Zion started the car's engine and sped away from the mansion. Zoey glanced at the window, seeing Zach leave with Sarah standing on the mansion's front door.

For some reason, Zoey continued to scrutinize the two from the rear mirror. However, as she watched them, Zoey could not help but raise her right brow.

From a normal perspective, the scene appeared like a harmonious interaction between husband and wife. Zach was off to work while Sarah was seeing her husband off.

Normally, the wife should assist her husband. But Sarah was just standing on the other side of the car while staring at Zach coldly. Zach glanced at her from time to time as his mouth moved.

Before the car where Zoey was riding left the gates, Zoey furrowed her brows upon seeing the evil smirk that resurfaced on Sarah's lips while Zach scoffed.

'Huh? What's going on?' Zoey wondered internally, glancing at Zion who had his eyes focused on the road.

Zoey cleared her throat as she stared at Zion's side profile. "Brother Zion,"

"Hmm?" Zion let out a low hum without shifting his eyes from the road.

"Are Mom and Dad alright?" Zoey asked, raising her brows. Since she just came back, Zoey didn't know what was going on in the Kwan's territory.

Although Zoey was kept posted regarding the Kwan's business, she was unaware what was going on behind closed doors. Hence, she asked Zion since he still lives with his parents despite that he could afford to live on his own.

"Huh? What do you mean?"

"Are they on bad terms?" Zoey clarified albeit still sounded vague.

"No?" Zion quickly cast Zoey a glance before shifting his gaze back on the road. "Maybe? I don't know. Arguments are normal between husband and wife, after all."

With a clear head, Zion explained. He knew his parents were not perfect. They sometimes argue privately -- Zion sometimes heard them -- but never in front of him. As a rational person, Zion could understand his parents for keeping their problems as husband and wife between the two.

"Ohh…" Zoey nodded in understanding. Yet, at the back of her head, Zion's explanation didn't convince her.

Sure, Zion's opinion sounded more realistic. However, there was this part of Zoey's brain telling her otherwise.

Zoey never saw Sarah smirk nor had she ever witnessed Sarah bear such a malicious visage. But a moment ago, Sarah appeared like a different person while Zach scoffed. His scoff was like those scoffs he showed Zoey.

"Don't worry about them. I'm sure they'll figure it out themselves; they're adults and married for more than two decades." As if Zion sensed Zoey's 'concerns' by her silence, Zion glanced at her and offered a gentle smile.

Zoey's lips stretched into a smile. "You're right. Maybe, I'm just overthinking." 

Zion nodded in understanding before reaching his other hand to pat her head. Zoey, who was often independent, could not help but feel moved by her brother's action. Zion just brings out the little girl hiding deep in her heart.

*****

Soon, Zoey and Zion arrived in front of the Z Image Group's building. Like usual, Zoey unbuckled her seat and hopped outside the car. 

Just like her, Zion also hitched outside and stood by the driver's seat door. He rested his arm over the sedan car, looking at his cheerful sister.

"I won't take long in the office. Should I pick you up?" Zion asked, tilting his head a little to the side as he offered.

"Hmmm," Zoey wanted to say 'no', as she had tons of things to do today. However, upon scrutinizing Zion's clear and bright visage, part of her sensed Zion's desperate desire to have company.

"Of course!" After a beat, the strong emotion to accompany him stood victorious in her heart.

With Cora and Ivan's current status, Zion must have been hiding his pain. Zoey felt sorry for him, but she couldn't force Cora to follow the original course of their lives as Zoey was the one who changed it unintentionally.

"It's a date, then." Satisfied, Zion's smile grew brighter as if he was relieved that Zoey agreed.

Seeing his reaction, Zoey smiled. She was not wrong when she noticed that Zion needed company. She could see and feel that deep inside her heart that was mysteriously connected to Zion.

How nice it would have been if they were real siblings. Not that blood matters as they treat each other genuinely as brothers and sisters.

"I hope your boyfriend doesn't take it to heart." Zion humored which made Zoey chuckle.

"He is a matured man. He won't." Zoey humored back, giggling. 

"En," Zion shrugged as he waved lightly. "Go before your company explodes." 

Zoey shook her head before waving back. Without further ado, Zoey turned and trudged toward the building's entrance.

However, just as she took a step, two figures exited from inside the building. It was Ivan and Cora who were laughing for some reason.

"Oh, sis!" As soon as Ivan saw Zoey's figure, he called out excitedly before gliding his way to her. "You're finally here!"

"Tone it down, will you? You're too loud." Annoyed, Zoey's face distorted as she gazed at Ivan in dismay.

Normally, Ivan would sass back. But now, he didn't but laughed instead. "This janitor is dating your best friend! We have a secret office romance going on. Don't ruin my good fortune."

Ivan teased back which caused Zoey's distorted expression to grow unrecognizable. Cora, who couldn't grasp their conversation, noticed the figure not far away from them.

Slowly, Cora moved her gaze to the figure. It was Zion. When their eyes met, a meek smile resurfaced on Cora's lips while Zion also had the same awkward, subtle smile.

Upon noticing the slight change in the air, Zoey moved her gaze to Cora and then to Zion. At the same time, Ivan also noticed Cora's silence and then saw who she was staring at.

"Oh! Let's go grab some coffee!" Displeased at Zion's presence, Ivan suddenly grabbed Cora's hand and smiled at her.

Cora nodded and off they went. Everything happened in a fraction of second that Zoey was left dumbfounded. 

"I'll pick you up later." Zion snapped Zoey back to reality before he immediately hitched inside the driver's seat.

"Broth --" Zoey called out but her words trailed off midway as Zion entered the car and sped away.

"Zoey… what have you done to these three people?" She muttered as Zoey let out a heavy sigh.