"Xavier, I don't have dementia nor have I suffered a memory loss. I'll never forget what you did to my family." Zoey looked determined as she gritted her teeth, "So don't bother pretending to be overjoyed seeing me again, you just disgust me. I'm back to avenge my family, so either you take me down and leave me no choice but to leave Onaton again, or I'll destroy you completely."
Xavier thought little of Zoey's threat. Instead, he gave Zoey an indulging smile, "Zoey, you haven't changed one bit. You still say whatever comes to your mind, and you do as you please. If I was really afraid of you, I'd make arrangements to have you killed based on what you've just said. So really, a piece of advice for you, control that temper of yours unless you are more than capable of protecting yourself."
Like an eagle that had spread its wings, Xavier spread his arms wide and added, "Just like me. I was a nobody and had worked my way up the social ladder. Now, I have control in both the Lewis Enterprise and the Lynch Group. Everyone has to address me politely as Mr. Lewis. How did I do it? Firstly, forbearance. Secondly, capability. Thirdly, intelligence. If I had acted like you, shooting my mouth off and offending big shots when I had neither power nor backings, I would have been killed at least twenty times already. You're fortunate to have me, someone who's willing to put up with your temper."
Zoey's expression darkened as she tried her best to suppress the anger that was raging inside her. She placed a hand into her pocket, and started toying with a small and dainty syringe. If she plunged this syringe into Xavier's body, he would be knocked out cold for several days. But, like he said, a lack of patience from a small matter like this could upset her bigger plans for revenge. If she had acted according to her instinct, Xavier could call the police. She would possibly have to deal with assault charges and lose her job at this hospital.
It had only been a few seconds, but Zoey had already thought through a lot. She flicked her long wavy hair and with a smile that didn't quite reach her eyes, she said, "Thank you for your piece of advice, Xavier. I'll do well to remember what you've said today. Goodbye."
With both hands in her pockets, Zoey started to walk past Xavier, but he reached out and caught her wrist again. Zoey stared at Xavier, her disgust for him was clear from her facial expression. Annoyed, she snapped at Xavier, "Let go of me!"
Instead of letting her go, Xavier pulled her into his arms and buried his face in her neck. Intoxicated by Zoey's scent, he declared, "You smell so good! Zoey, you're the woman whom I've always wanted."
Zoey had goosebumps all over her body as she felt rage in addition to being revolted by Xavier's closeness to her.
Anger was flashing in her eyes when she suddenly curled her lips in a smile. In a quick movement, she bent her knee and thrust it up towards Xavier's groin.
In the next second, low groans could be heard from Xavier as he clutched at his groin with both hands. He glared and growled at Zoey, "Are you crazy? I won't be able to satisfy you in bed if you damage it!"
Zoey snorted and icily said, "You can save the satisfaction for Stella. She's in the labor ward and as her husband, instead of hurrying over to keep her company, you're here to harass your ex-fiance. I really pity her."
With that parting remark, Zoey left with her two kids.
Xavier stared after Zoey, his eyes shone with resolute in having Zoey as his. He had given up on Zoey once. This time, he would ensure she had no means of escape and could only stay by his side.
Zoey had no idea she had been marked by Xavier as his prey. With her luggage and two kids, she arrived at the place that her friend had arranged for her. After what happened to her and the collapse of the Fuller family, no one wanted anything more to do with Zoey. Only one of her friends, Yvonne Carter, remained by her side and supported her all these years. Yvonne had even used her connections to help Zoey investigate Lewis Enterprise and the Lynch Group. Zoey was grateful towards Yvonne and would never forget her kindness and help.
After entering the apartment, Zoey instructed her kids to stay on the couch while she went straight into the study and pulled open the first drawer in the cabinet. In it was a document which contained the results of Yvonne's investigation.
Zoey studied the document carefully. It detailed the things that Xavier had done and the influential people he had met throughout these years. After reading the document, Zoey laughed scornfully. A leopard could never change its spots. Xavier had forcefully taken over the Fuller Corporation by colluding with the Lynch Group. And now, he was using the same method; colluding with the Collins Group to take over the Lynch Group.
Zoey wondered if she should let Stella know about this. Would Stella and Xavier become enemies and destroy each other in a fight? With the document in her hand, Zoey sat on the small couch in the study as she contemplated the best way to leak this piece of news to Stella without drawing attention to herself.
In the living room, Kayla was sitting on the couch and eating freshly washed grapes. Swinging her legs playfully, her eyes sparkled with mischief as she said, "Kayden, there are two people on Mommy's social media account that she has labeled as the people she hates the most. One is the pregnant ugly old hag and the other is the mister who pestered Mommy earlier. We need to think about how we can teach them a lesson."
Kayden nodded while tapping on his phone's screen.
"What are you doing, Kayden?" Curious about what he was up to, Kayla moved closer to him and saw Leo's schedule appearing on his phone screen. Kayla immediately exclaimed, "Wow! Kayden, you've hacked into Daddy's computer?"
"Hm." Kayden nodded, "Once we know his schedule, we'll be able to get a strand of his hair for a DNA test."
Kayla blinked, "Why don't we just go over to his company and ask him to do the test with us, Kayden? Does he not want us?"
Kayden replied solemnly, "It's possible. Otherwise, he wouldn't have just left us at the hospital earlier."
"But why? We are so adorable." Kayla touched her chin as she thought about Leo.
Kayden did not reply but instead, distracted Kayla by saying, "We have plenty of time to help Mommy seek revenge on the two hateful people."
True enough, Kayla got distracted and pouted in displeasure at the mention of Stella and Xavier, "I really don't like them, Kayden."
"Hm." Kayden answered quietly, his eyes were bright and reflected a calmness and intelligence that was beyond his age.
He was scheming on the most effective way to teach both Stella and Xavier a lesson.
He would not let those who had bullied his mommy off so easily.
...
On the other side of town, Leo was reading some documents in his car.
"Leo, aren't you going to check if those two kids are yours?" Zachary asked as he rubbed his chin thoughtfully.
"I've already sent someone to check on their address. I'll invite them to the hospital tomorrow and ask if they are keen to do a DNA test." Leo replied.
"Not bad, you even know how to respect the wishes of others now?" Zachary teased. Leo answered, "They may be young, but they do have their rights."
"Tsk tsk... Leo, I really couldn't tell you can be this respectful towards others." Zachary said.
Leo respond was to cast a quick cold glance at Zachary before giving his attention to the documents in his hands again.
Zachary moved closer to Leo and asked curiously, "If they are really your kids, it means that their mother is the woman whom you can't forget after the one-night stand several years ago."
"Hm." The image of Zoey being angry over her failure to slap him brought an amused smile to his usually aloof face. The smile appeared only briefly and Zachary didn't catch it as he wasn't looking at Leo.
Zachary asked, "If the woman is really the person whom you have been searching for all these years, what do you intend to do? Don't you forget that your grandfather has someone else in mind to be his granddaughter-in-law."
To this, Leo answered, "Do you really think he will have the energy or mood to select another woman as his granddaughter-in-law once he knows of his two grandchildren?"
Zachary continued rubbing his chin as he contemplated Leo's answer before agreeing, "That's a good point."
But in the next second, Zachary brought forth another possibility, "It's also possible that your grandfather acknowledges your kids but not their mother. After all, it's quite easy for him to get rid of a woman who has no backing or power."
Leo turned grim, and he started to rub two of his fingers together as he thought about this possibility. After a long while, he said, "I'll take care of it."
Zachary raised his eyebrows, "You really have feelings for that woman?"
Leo pursed his lips and replied, "The feeling she gave me when I had my arm around her earlier was similar to seven years ago. The only difference is she's skinnier now."
"Leo, aren't you worried that you'll be mistaken as a pervert when you suddenly put your arm around her like that?" Zachary asked.
Leo retorted, "Have you ever seen such a good-looking pervert?"
Leo had won this round. Zachary had never met anyone who was such a narcissist.