Chapter 618 - Someone...

Zoey's jaw nearly dropped as she moved her eyes, scrutinizing the younger version of Nikolai. Truly, Nikolai was a sight to behold as he was very charming.

"What are you doing here?" Aghast, Zoey inquired as she blinked her eyes. "Have you seen Ivan?" 

Zoey added, shifting her gaze behind Nikolai. The latter, however, suddenly closed the door and smiled.

"Why are you looking for Ivan who has been with you for long?" Niko humored, shrugging his shoulders nonchalantly.

"So, you didn't?"

"Nope." Niko shook his head before taking strides towards the newly bought set of sofas inside Zoey's office.

Zoey followed his figure with her eyes. After her brief conversation with Ivan, this was not the right time for Niko to appear! Not to mention, once Niko knew that Ivan was dating Cora, it would be a hell of a trouble.

"You look… surprised." Niko plopped down on the long couch and he spread his arms on the head rest.

"It'll be more strange if I'm not, Niko." Zoey rolled her eyes, letting out a heavy sigh before she walked towards him from her desk. 

"Why are you here?"

Without beating around the bush, Zoey inquired. In her previous life, Nikolai never set his foot in this building. No matter what happened, Niko stuck to his words of leaving her alone.

After all, during this time, Nikolai's name was already known in the government's secret organization. He had already made his name known and he was hot in the eyes of the authorities.

Therefore, Nikolai being in the Z Image Group would surely bring trouble for Zoey. Just when her company was flourishing steadily, sigh! 

Zoey was afraid that her connections with Cecil would be known which could end the Z Image and herself. With these in mind, she clicked her tongue in frustration.

"Why can't I visit you? I'm bored." In a matter-of-fact tone, Niko argued nonchalantly.

This only triggered Zoey as it proved that he didn't care if his simple visit would bring her trouble. As if that surprised her!

"You can always kill time earning money through illegal means or play with your women." Displeased, Zoey ground her teeth as she stopped in her tracks and stared at him.

"Tell me, why are you here?"

Zoey pressed, stressing every word she uttered.

Deep down, Niko wouldn't go to the Z Image Building just because he was bored. Zoey had changed a lot of things in this lifetime. Hence, she wanted to know what kind of change affected this course of their life saga that compelled Niko to visit her company.

Niko glanced at Zoey before he let out a deep sigh. "Fine. I can't leave the country nor can my people come in here."

Finally, Zoey got her answer which made her confused. "What?"

"You heard it right. I came to this country because of some business stuff but now I can't leave. Who knows if I get arrested here, so I came here to say my goodbye." Still bearing his indifferent tone, Niko explained.

Zoey could not help but scoff at what she had heard. Who would believe him if he was acting as if being arrested was nothing big? 

If Zoey didn't know him well, she would deem it as a big lie. However, by the looks of it, he wasn't lying. It was hard to tell whether or not Niko was lying. But after spending several years with him, Zoey could tell it apart easily.

"I can always visit you in jail." Zoey muttered as she perched on the one-seater sofa.

Placing her elbow on the armrest, Zoey rubbed her chin lightly. Since Niko was in a foreign country away from his turf, Zoey wondered which enemy of his had the power to control the authorities to block Niko from leaving.

"Niko, have you messed with the triads?" After a long contemplation, Zoey glanced at the indifferent Niko who appeared like it was not his problem.

"Triads... " Niko repeated, tilting his head to the side as he sported a puzzled look. "Are you dumb, Zia?" 

Yet, his next remarks made Zoey's under eye twitch. She was merely trying to help, but she got insulted in the end.

"Let me call the police." Annoyed, Zoey took out her phone and immediately dialed 110.

However, before she could press the green button, Niko clicked his tongue. "Fine! What an ingrate. After helping you out, this is what I get, huh?"

Niko scorned and scoffed at Zoey. But Zoey furrowed her brows upon grasping his mutterings.

"Help me out? When?"

"Whatever. You wouldn't appreciate it anyway." Niko rolled his eyes at her and let out another scoff. 

"My answer to your question, by the way, in capitals is N.O." 

"Huh?"

"No. I don't recall messing with the triads or have the slightest inkling of why they would want to mess with me. In other words, I don't have enemies that could possibly hold strong connections in this country. Unless, some of my enemies found a good and reliable friend that could pull strings around the country. Aiya… I need that kind of friend too."

In a matter-of-fact tone, Niko summarized his assumptions. After all, Nikolai wouldn't take the risk of coming to this country knowing he had enemies here. 

He had traveled in and out in this country before, but it was only now that he was having problems taking off via his private plane. Obviously, flying illegally could also cost Niko his life due to miscommunication and that was the last thing they wanted.

At the very least, even if Niko was ambushed, there were higher chances that he would survive. But, if he flies and his plane crashes, even a lifetime of luck wouldn't be enough to save him.

Zoey had the same thought as Nikolai as she remained silent. "Who could it be…?"

Zoey pondered who was in the country that had strong connections with the authorities. Someone who was powerful enough whose words had value and was being respected.

Obviously, it would be someone from the upper echelon. Someone who was in the same caliber as Matthew.

Someone who was in the same caliber as Matthew…

Someone…

Zoey furrowed her brows. Thinking of Matthew, he was the perfect person who had the power to block Niko's departure. 

But, why? 

Matthew had no reason to block Nikolai's departure. Niko was Zoey's ally and Matthew had never met Nikolai in this lifetime yet. Hence, there shouldn't be any grudge between them.

"Thought of anyone who is trying to get my attention?" Nikolai's words snapped Zoey back from her trance.

"No idea. It could be anybody." Zoey shrugged. "After all, you're a piece of sh*t and everyone just wants to kill you."

Despite the fact that Zoey somehow felt that Matthew could possibly have anything to do with this, she didn't let Niko know. If Matthew was involved, Zoey thought she should ask her better half first and listen to his explanation.

"Speaking of which…" Suddenly, Zoey remembered that Matthew was on his way here! Her eyes widened as she looked at the laid back Nikolai. 

"Niko, you should leave, NOW."

*RING!*