Chapter 622 - Lover Boy And Foreign Boy

"Oh, sh*t…"

Ivan immediately caught the distinct air that welcomed him. His eyes were quick to catch the gist of what was currently going on.

"I guess I came at the wrong time, huh?" Ivan awkwardly muttered, holding onto the door handle. "Please don't mind me. Go on."

He added as he took a step back. Carefully, Ivan took his leave as he didn't want anything to do with this situation. Whether or not someone died, he didn't want to be involved, afraid of leaving Cora alone in this world.

"Ivan, my man!" Just as Ivan was too close to leave, his entire face distorted upon hearing the jolly voice of Nikolai.

"Ah! Yes?! I'm sorry for interrupting you guys! I swear I would guard the door so rest assured no one is coming inside!" Feigning innocent, Ivan proposed proudly as he patted his chest.

'Well done, Ivan. This is very reassuring.' Zoey sighed upon hearing Ivan's ridiculous reassurance. 

Matthew, like usual, didn't speak a word. Yet, Ivan had truly caught his attention as he turned his head to his direction.

"That's so generous of you, Ivan! However, it is not fun here anymore." Nikolai clicked his tongue as he shook his head sideways. 

"Ah?" Puzzled, Ivan cocked his head to the side as he darted his eyes from Nikolai to Zoey and then to Matthew.

"Fun is over? No one's dying?" He blurted out without realizing it.

"There will be, if you don't take your boss with you." Zoey sassed, but deep down she heaved a sigh of relief.

She never appreciated Ivan's lack of manners in suddenly barging in in her office. But today, Zoey thought this little habit of Ivan was a life saver and she appreciated his "luck" for being a magnet of trouble.

"Damn," Ivan cursed under his breath because now, their problem had become his.

With that being said, the heated atmosphere in the office finally subsided. Nikolai glanced at Matthew as he started taking his leave.

When Nikolai brushed past Matthew, they both cast each other a glance. 

"I hope you sleep well tonight, lover boy."

Nikolai smirked as he continued in his stride. Matthew, who found his statement amusing, also said,

"And I hope you don't get lost, foreign boy."

When those words were dropped, Nikolai halted in his steps. Slowly, he faced Matthew and the latter also did the same.

Chin up, chest out, back straight. Both men stared at each other, scrutinizing the slightest details each time they moved.

"Woah, woah, woah!" As the tension immediately returned in the office, Ivan quickly slid between them.

Ivan placed his palms on Nikolai's chest, smiling awkwardly as he darted his gaze from Nikolai to Matthew. "I think my sis is hungry. Why don't you guys continue this when she's not around and when you're not in this building, eh?"

"You've finally got my undivided attention. How interesting." Ignoring Ivan's intervention, Nikolai smirked at Matthew as his eyes glinted at the same time.

"Funny how our minds think the same." Matthew replied without backing down.

"Alright, people. Let's go, Nik. I haven't seen you for a long time. I'm sure we have a lot to talk about!" Once again, Ivan intervened and cast Zoey a glance.

Zoey saw the helpless cry of help in Ivan's eyes but all she did was mouth, 'thank you.'

Matthew and Nikolai peered at each other for a moment before the latter broke his gaze. "I'll see you around, Zia. If you ever see Professor Meng, give my regards to him."

With that being said, Nikolai glanced at Ivan but said nothing. The two of them left the office without Nikolai looking back while Ivan cast Zoey a 'save-me' kind of expression.

Yet, Zoey was too distracted by Nikolai's last remarks to notice Ivan. 

"Professor Meng?"

She muttered as the two finally left with Ivan closing the door behind him. The office was silent for a long time as neither Zoey and Matthew spoke.

"What does that mean?" Zoey muttered again, furrowing her brows as she didn't recall anything that connected Nikolai and Professor Meng.

"That guy… I saw him at Professor Meng's party." As Matthew studied Zoey's figure, he sighed and uttered.

"So, that's Nikolai Silvestri? Your former boss?"

Matthew added to conceal his knowledge of knowing the man. Since Matthew was forbidden to tell Zoey everything, he planned to keep it that way.

His plan was just starting to take action. The last thing Matthew wanted was Zoey interfering because she valued Nikolai as her brother.

"Oh…" Upon hearing Matthew's brief explanation, Zoey nodded in understanding. "What? What did you say?"

However, just as quick as her understanding at the situation, Zoey's eyes widened in horror.

"This may hurt your pride, my love. But, I saw him back in Professor Meng's party. I might be wrong, but I think Professor Meng was doing him a favor in doing business with you."

As brutal as it may sound, Matthew spoke his honest thoughts aloud. Although Mathew was aware this was akin to a slap to Zoey, he felt he needed to let her know so she could decide for the next step Z Image Group would take.

"What…" Upon hearing Matthew's honesty, Zoey couldn't articulate her thoughts regarding it.

Her mind wandered in a short span of time, reviewing everything that transpired in her previous life. Professor Meng was known for his talent in investing and giving opportunities to small businesses like her company.

But now that Zoey thought more about it, Z Image Group wasn't the only person who needed Professor Meng's attention. Yet, the latter -- from her previous life and the current one -- it was quite unusual for Professor Meng to meet her as if he had taken their meeting like an important business deal.

Zoey thought it was just Professor Meng's usual character. But now, Professor Meng had favored her even before she could show him her company's potential.

That means to say, part of her success in her previous life… Zoey owed Nikolai and he never mentioned it even until her last breath,

"Damn…" Under her breath, Zoey cursed as she dragged her feet towards the couch.