Chapter 627 - The Brewing Danger

"Hey, buddy. Sorry for snatching your woman. I hope you move on and never approach my girl, never."

*Coo Coo Coo*

After Ivan shamelessly publicized how he unofficially coveted someone else's woman, there was nothing but an awkward silence. It was as if they heard the owl hooting.

Zoey's brows twitched as her entire face distorted. Meanwhile, Zion just subtly smiled at Ivan but said nothing. 

"Ivan, seriously?" Zoey could not help but facepalm in distress.

Was it necessary to rub salt on her brother's wounds? 

What happened between Zion and Cora was pretty recent. Therefore, Zion would surely take it personally as there was no trace of remorse in Ivan's tone!

The audacity!

"It's fine." Zion, as usual, sounded gentle as he smiled at Zoey. "Not that Cora was mine to begin with. It's unrequited."  Zion said politely. 

Ivan raised both his brows and he pressed his lips akin to a frown. "Really?" 

Zoey just let out a sigh as she shook her head lightly. 'Obviously, it's not, Ivan.'

Yet, Zoey kept her thoughts within herself. She could talk to Zion later. For now…

Zoey's eyes glinted with killing intent as soon as she set her eyes on Ivan's side profile. As if Ivan felt his life in dangers, he involuntarily shivered and slowly turned his head towards Zoey.

"Hehe, sis…" 

"Ivan, we're off. Clean every corner of the building since it's your time to shine." In a matter-of-fact tone, Zoey widened her eyes at him before she started organizing her bag.

"Wait, sis!" Seeing Zoey place a few folders in her bag before standing with it, Ivan called out in panic.

"Ivan, save your 'emergency' for tomorrow, alright?" 

"No! This is…" Before Ivan could finish his sentence, Zoey already beckoned Zion for them to leave.

"I will check every corner and I don't want a speck of dust here." Zoey reminded, casting him a deadly glare.

Zoey's tone was laced with warning, as if she would torture Ivan if he wouldn't clean the entire building. However, that wasn't Ivan's main concern.

"Sis!"

"See you tomorrow, Ivan." Zoey waved while Zion followed behind her.

"Ah, sh*t…" Ivan cursed under his breath.

At the same time, Zion cast him one last glance which Ivan saw. Both men exchanged eye contact but said nothing.

And with that, Ivan was left alone in the office.

"Damn it, sis. Niko just gave me a new mission and I'm fked!" As Ivan stared at the shut door, he ground his teeth and sucked air through it.

*****

"You and that guy seemed very close, Z." As Zion followed Zoey's track, he uttered once they exited the building.

"Ah… yes." Zoey awkwardly chuckled as she glanced at Zion. 

Zion gestured to her to get in the car which Zoey did. She watched Zion jog over and enter the driver's seat.

"Brother Zion, about what Ivan said…" As soon as Zion hitched inside the car, Zoey sighed as she didn't want to beat around the bush.

However, her words trailed off as Zion faced her with a smile. "It's fine, Z. I understand him since I'm a man."

Zion reassured before he started buckling his seat. Yet, Zoey didn't believe him. Zion liked Cora for a long time.

Although it was stressful to watch Cora and Zion's lack of development in their 'weird' relationship, Zoey knew Zion loved Cora dearly. He wouldn't marry her in their previous life if Zion's affection was that shallow.

"I'm just relieved that Cora is with a reliable man like him." When Zion finished buckling his seat, he turned his head back to Zoey.

"Cora is a very shy person. She bottles everything and cries alone. She hates bothering people, thinking she would burden them. That's why for a long time, I feigned ignorance towards the small hints she left me."

Zion added. Slowly, his reassured smile grew bitter as he looked away.

"A blunt man like him is perfect for her. He would teach her to open up and would notice the slightest detail. That's why…"

Suddenly, Zion suddenly paused as his grip on the steering wheel tightened. Zoey could only watch her brother comfort himself when it was obvious he was not fine with it.

"That's why I should be happy for her, right?" 

Zion nearly choked as if life was making a joke at himself. Suddenly, two figures exited the building. It was Cora and Ivan.

As usual, Cora was modest but this was the first time Zion saw her smile carelessly. The smile on Cora's lips that made her eyes squinted into a slit as if she was the happiest… Zion never saw her this carefree.

Slowly, Zion shifted his eyes on Ivan. He couldn't hear them, but it seemed the two of them were enjoying their time together.

Zoey slowly followed Zion's gaze and sighed. Cora seemed happy with Ivan's natural goofiness. It was hard to admit, but this was one of the reasons Zoey didn't even try to intervene with their relationship.

When Cora admitted she liked Ivan, that caught Zoey off guard. Even though they were best friends, Cora never verbally admitted she was in love with Zion.

But, Cora admitted she started to grow feelings for Ivan. Zoey could only think it was Ivan's influence, that's why Cora started opening up more.

'Indeed, Cora and Ivan's personality were a match made in heaven.' Zoey whispered internally.

"Anyway, do you want to accompany me for a few drinks?" After a long stifling silence inside the car, Zion turned to Zoey and broke the silence.

The corner of Zion's lips stretched into a smile. But, in Zoey's eyes, it appeared forced. Nevertheless, Zoey pretended like she didn't notice.

"A drink? Hah! Just make sure you can actually drink." Zoey forced herself not to dwell on the bad stuff as she proudly exclaimed.

Zion chuckled as he started the car's engine. "Don't make me sound like a bad brother for asking my little sister to unwind." 

****

Meanwhile, somewhere around the city...

"Boss, Zia is riding with her brother. Should we follow her?" 

"Yes, follow her and send me her location. It's good that she's with her brother…" Slowly, Nikolai opened his eyes as his lips curved into a devious smirk.

"Copy, boss." With that being said, a beep from Nikolai's phone reached his ear as his subordinate cut the line short.

"I'm itching to know whom you would choose, Zia? Your brother? Or…" Nikolai's voice trailed off as he looked at his wallpaper which was the younger version of Zoey.

"Or your lover?" 

Nikolai caressed Zoey's photo with his thumb gently.. However, the next second, using that same thumb, Nikolai pressed it against the screen of his mobile as the glass shattered into multiple fragments.