Chapter 667 - Zoey's Ignorance IV

"However, their miracle is not as abundant as they thought. Zia was like a magnet of misfortune and their abductors found out about their disappearance sooner than they thought. In the end, they got caught. Fortunately, at that time, my father, who was the most greedy person I've known, didn't think of fulfilling the agreement as well." 

Inigo paused. He trudged towards the table and sat down before he continued.

"In other words, Zia's plan was not entirely bad nor was it perfect. What I can say is, they bought enough time for us and since they were out in the open, it was simpler to rescue them. By sheer coincidence, we arrived on time to save Niko. But…"

Inigo paused as he scratched his temple with his finger. He was there at that time and witnessed everything.

"But when they were surrounded and the perpetrator of the abduction knew he was cornered, he decided to kill Nik. No matter how agile and capable we were, no one was faster than a bullet." Inigo chuckled laced with ridicule.

"I still wonder if Zia was lucky at that time or if it was just bad luck in disguise. Because whom she saved whilst putting her own life in danger would turn out to be a monster… or maybe, he was already one disguised as a child."

Inigo tapped his fingers on the table's surface. In perspective, Nikolai was always that silent kid who had a mind like a maze. Even Inigo thought Nikolai wouldn't get abducted without his own free will.

Nikolai was a smart child. Being abducted like normal children was not something that would happen to Nikolai. Inigo's suspicion only rose when he heard that the abductor who orchestrated everything blamed Nikolai.

However, until now, Nikolai never admitted it. The time Inigo asked him about it, Nikolai just smirked.

"The bottom line here is, that incident was like a cuff in Zia's ankle. Nikolai never wanted Zia out of his sight since then. Thus, after saving Zia in a life and death situation, Nikolai took her in the family. Everyone agreed thinking she's the boss' son's heroine. So, that's how Zoey started working as a foot soldier under a notorious crime family."

Zion was panting as he held onto the edge of the table. What he had heard from the beginning to the end shook him to the core. Fortunately, he was sitting. Or else, Zion would have collapsed as his knees trembled uncontrollably.

"Fast forward, Zia broke ties with the Silva family. At that time, I already left the family. It's something that happened between me and Zia that changed everything. But that's not important. Nikolai, for some reason, gave her substantial freedom. That 's when she returned to your household. Sadly, her biological father hated her and Zia had a pride to uphold herself. That's why despite how hard it was, she started working while studying."

Inigo let out a sigh as he leaned back. It was easier to summarize Zoey's days. However, the experience wasn't. Zoey had multiple heartbreaks, misfortunes after another, and misery.

Yet, she kept moving forward. Inigo would never respect anyone as much as he respected Zoey. Sadly, though. They had this irreversible misunderstanding that led to both their deaths in their previous life.

"Now, the life she had been running away from has brought her back to that darkness. My sis is a very capable and skilled person. But, do you know why she's out there right now?" This time, it was Ivan's turn to speak.

Zion just remained silent, staring at his trembling hands on the table.

"Because if she doesn't return, Cora, me, you, your pathetic father, your mother, and everyone else will fall victim in Nikolai's hand. Even if Boss Matt and Inigo here are capable and powerful people, Nikolai is someone we can't underestimate." 

Ivan's tone turned solemn as his eyes glinted.

"We are all pathetic being saved by a woman. That's why no matter how I much hate working with that f*cker, I have to. First, is because I'm her brother. Secondly, she's Cora's best friend. And lastly, I don't want to be protected and owe anyone."

After Ivan's last remarks, silence enveloped the entire room. Only the sound of the fingers tapping the keyboard soon resonated in the air.

Matthew glanced at Zion emotionlessly. In their previous life, Zion was saved from hearing a more detailed background of Zoey's life.

Zion only knew that Zoey was Zachery's bastard. But this time, Matthew didn't plan to save Zion from that guilt Zoey experienced.

Zoey had suffered. Hence, Zion must at least share that suffering even if it's just one percent of Zoey's pain. Call him ruthless, but Matthew wanted Zion to open his eyes and repent for the sins called ignorance.

"Zoey…" Zion whispered as he finally figured that his imagination was far too limited. He realized how ignorant and a hypocrite he was.

This new information instantly crept inside his heart, eating him from the inside.

*****

Meanwhile, on an isolated island where a grand mansion stood at the top of the hill. Zoey was staring at the shore from the cliff.

"I lost track of the date and days. I wonder how long we've been here?" Zoey muttered, blinking her eyes ever so slowly.

"A week," said Nikolai as he approached from behind her.

"A week, huh?" Zoey mumbled without looking back at him.

Zoey felt two hands placed on her shoulders. Yet, she remained unfazed. Her mind focused on how a week felt like eternity.

She had been here, but it was as if time stopped the day she left Matthew. Since that day, Zoey would always think about him without fail.

"Zia, do you know if I push you, you'll die?" Nikolai asked out of nowhere. "Just one push and you die."

"Why don't you do it?" Zoey inquired calmly. She didn't really care if he was joking or if he really meant it.

"Hmmm. I want to because seeing you think of him again annoys me." Nikolai chuckled, massaging her shoulder.

"However, it reminds me that you swam an entire coast just to survive. Who knows? You might just swim and survive." 

Nikolai added with a humorous chuckle. Zoey smirked upon hearing that. After a while, Zoey took a deep breath.

"I remembered Inigo." Zoey said, causing Nikolai's brow to raise. "I remembered the time he confronted you about the abduction. I wanted to sleep with you at that time, but ended up overhearing your conversation." 

"Oh?" Nikolai slowly removed his hands over her shoulders as Zoey turned and faced him.

"You were the one who gave that idea to your abductors, weren't you?" Zoey inquired without looking away from him.

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Author's Note:

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