Wild Young Miss: Mister, Let's Kiss!

Next thing that happened after they shook hands was Cecil signing the contract after a thorough check of the materials and prices. Since he had the Feng Estate as his legal front business, he was aware of the estimation of the signs.

When he placed his pen down after signing the contract, Zoey and Cecil exchanged flatteries before they went their separate ways. Of course, Zoey surrendered her blackmail material to him before that. Everything went smooth-sailing and Cecil was truly a good businessman to transact with; Zoey must give that to him.

He wired the payment of signs almost immediately after signing the contract, as per Zoey's request. After all, Zoey didn't hide the fact that her company was still an infant in the business. Hence, she didn't have enough funds to stock her warehouse with raw materials.

Cecil was kind and understanding enough to transact in cash for their first project -- Zoey would work on three. In other words, Zoey now had millions in her hands; she didn't need to struggle to fund her company and fret on thinking about how to pay her suppliers. She'd be debt free, although the profits in this first project with Cecil would be used to invest more in Z Image Group.

Nevertheless, Zoey was certain she didn't need to worry about her company for now. They have three big projects to work on. She was certain Z Image Group would flourish to its 'original' state like eight years later.

"Sis, I really think this is a bad move." Ivan glanced at Zoey who was on the front passenger seat while he drove the car. Zoey was smiling for some reason, as if she was in her happy thoughts since earlier.

"What do you mean?" Zoey snapped from her lalaland, facing Ivan who finally broke his silence.

He sighed, his eyes focused on the road. "You're dealing with Cecil," In a matter-of-fact tone, Ivan said. "Do you really think he'll stay true to his words?" He asked, the expression on his face turned solemn.

"Why won't he?" Puzzled, Zoey blinked her eyes in confusion, tilting her head to the side.

"Sis, you know you can't trust that person… I know you're not naive enough to trust him, though." Without glancing at Zoey, Ivan clarified. "But, you're playing with fire too closely." He added, his mind wandered at the information he had gathered during Zoey and Cecil's meeting.

Since Ivan just watched how everything unfolded before him, he observed keenly. The simple thought of the man she was trying to play with alarmed Ivan, of course. He wasn't just a simple businessman; he was a person involved in a very dangerous business — Drugs. 

Therefore, for Zoey to take a leap of faith, gamble, and risk getting known about her existence and knowledge, that was akin to making herself a target. It was a stupid move, if she would ask him. 

No wonder Zoey didn't tell him. Ivan would try to stop her from making such a foolish move. Z Image Group could flourish without this underhanded help from Cecil. Why would she do it?

Zoey's mind absorbed his last remarks slowly but surely. She nodded lightly, "I know. Too close." She agreed, yet, her indifferent demeanor didn't change. 

"That's why, you're unnecessarily putting yourself in danger. Why would you even do this? I mean, I know your company is struggling, but this move should be your last resort. You can still fund Z Image for several months with the small projects lined up." Frustrated, another sigh slipped past his lips once again. 

He then glanced at her briefly before returning his gaze back on the road. "But that's too late. What happened, happened. I just don't understand what you're planning and why did you infiltrate Feng Jimmy's estate alone — you can just tell me." One could tell that Ivan was upset being in the dark for too long. 

He kept getting bamboozled throughout the entire meeting. Good thing he didn't need to do anything but observe. Still, that fact bothered him — the fact that he knew nothing about her ridiculous plans. 

"*sigh*" Zoey let out a deep, long sigh as she laid back. "I know it's stupid and I could've taken other legal means to get the deal." She admitted, her eyes set ahead. "Whether I get Cecil's help or not, Z Image Group will flourish and stand out among all companies in the same field. No doubt." Zoey explained. 

She knew that because she had seen it and made it happen once. Zoey wasn't associated with Jimmy Feng or Cecil in the past. After all, Jimmy Feng degraded her when she met him in her previous life. 

She was clueless at that time. No matter how much she lowered her own rates than others, Jimmy Feng didn't even bat an eye when he rejected her. Thus, Zoey raised her prices this lifetime and got this deal done. 

"You knew that, yet you still proceeded without caution." Ivan got upset the more Zoey agreed with him. "Could you at least explain and tell me you have a plan? I'm starting to hate taking action without knowing anything." He frowned. 

"Why would you get involved with him? Despite knowing how dangerous and complicated it could be once he's inside the picture." Since Ivan was getting more irked thinking how clueless he was from the very start, he could not help but throw his series of questions that sounded as if he was nagging her. 

"Now, you don't only place your company into a superficial growth and progress, you've put your life in danger. I'm sure Cecil would end you if he had no use of you. He wouldn't let anyone who knows his secret continue existing in this world." Ivan prattled on and one before reaching this point and sighed for the umpteenth time. 

A long minute had passed since Ivan vented his frustration about how secretive Zoey was. Shortly after, Zoey smacked her lips lightly before they parted and words came out from her lips. 

"Do you think he'll live that long?" She gave him a side eye, arching her right brows before shifting her gaze back on the road. "Of course I know the dangers… but just like him, do you think I would let anyone exist who knows the things that only I could know?" While she stared at the road ahead, Zoey explained. 

"Part of me agrees with Cecil when he said we're the same." Slowly, Zoey cocked her head towards him, casting him a lazy look. "The other half disagrees… he's too kind and stupid." Her eyelashes fluttered ever so slowly, her expression was oddly the same, but the touch of her words was so vile that Ivan unconsciously reduced his speed. 

"The good thing about people like them, only a selective few know that they existed… his death wouldn't matter." In a matter-of-fact tone, Zoey hinted and then fixed her position comfortably. "Also, I still need him for my cargo to arrive safely. He wouldn't kill me, people are afraid of touching things they haven't fully discovered.." While Zoey closed her eyes to rest, she reassured him.