Wild Young Miss: Mister, Let's Kiss!

[FLASHBACK]

Matthew's abrupt death had shocked the entire country, especially everyone in the Xi Corporation. His death naturally caused turmoil in the company; like an empire being shaken with the death of the king without an heir.

Those people who desired to take the throne for themselves showed their fangs. The shareholders were split into many groups, favoring those who were the perfect candidates to lead the empire.

Amidst this huge problem, Matthew's attorney had revealed that Matthew had left behind a will. It was stated that if something happened to him, he would give all his shares and estates to his wife and their child.

Obviously, the situation didn't help Zoey. Many disagreed and even accused the grieving wife that it was possible for Zoey to orchestrate Matthew's accident. 

Even when Zoey had Vivian's backing and despite legally being the major shareholder of the company, no one would trust an outsider. Agreeing with the situation also meant accepting and acknowledging that they're putting their thousands of employees' lives in Zoey's hands.

That doesn't work in an empire like the XI Corporation. Even with a will left by the late Matthew and Vivian's backing, everyone retaliated. Having a new leader was always like full scale war between family members.

Matthew's intelligence, tenacity, achievements, and incomparable character as a businessman had succeeded the XI Corporation easily. Also, since he was raised to lead, his life revolved around the family business growing up.

In other words, only Matthew's succession was the only new era for a giant corporation which they welcomed peacefully. He was just perfect and everybody agreed about that.

Still, now that he was dead, a full scale war was brewing and the grieving Zoey would surely get affected. No matter if she was the current major shareholder with Vivian's backing, she couldn't just sit on the throne and expect them not to retaliate.

Zoey's achievement as the CEO of Z Image Group was never acknowledged.

Regardless of this turmoil, Zoey never had an intention to lead the Xi Corporation. She didn't even want to hear any news from the company as she couldn't cope with her husband's and her unborn child's death.

If anything, Zoey despised the people in the XI Corporation. She understood the natural crisis that suddenly hit the company, but that didn't pardon how insulting this for her.

Matthew had just died. Zoey had not only lost her husband, but also her best friend, her unborn child, and everything. Yet, these people never considered how insulting it was for her that the XI Corporation seemed more important than grieving.

Hence, Zoey disregarded everything. She didn't want Matthew's estate and shares. She didn't care if Matthew worked hard for it. For Zoey, he shouldn't have left her alone in the first place.

Instead, Zoey refused to participate with the XI Corporation's affair and locked herself in her room. Vivian didn't also push her because her daughter-in-law was barely coping.

When the news of Cora's death reached Zoey, that was her last straw to leave and uncover the mystery of Matthew's sudden death. While everyone was fighting to be the new head of the XI Corporation, Zoey occupied herself with finding the truth.

She left Vivian without a word and she never showed herself again. Ten months after Matthew's death, Zoey heard about the news that someone finally succeeded to lead the XI Corporation.

Even though Zoey never participated in her late husband's company affairs, it intrigued her. To her surprise, the person who succeeded to take Matthew's position was the  person she had least expected: Enzo Li!

This surprised Zoey. But Enzo was a charismatic actor and this achievement of his brought a good image for the XI Corporation. At the same time, Zoey received a call from Enzo asking her to meet him.

Even in the current time table, Zoey's memory about her conversation with Enzo in her previous life felt vivid.  Zoey agreed to meet him in the local restaurant she chose.

"France. You've been here for months, Zoey." Enzo said, staring at Zoey who was sitting across him.

"How did you find me?" Zoey asked, but clicked her tongue. "Right. You're the most powerful man in the Xi Corporation now."

Zoey chuckled briefly. Since Zoey was not actually working in secret, the XI Corporation intel would surely find her if they wanted to find her.

"Auntie Xi is not doing well, Z." Without beating around the bush, Enzo informed.

Momentarily, Zoey's shoulders stiffened but she said nothing. She was just looking at Enzo whose expression didn't change as well.

"Big Brother Matt's death and everything has stressed Auntie Xi. You're not there to fight with her. Zoey, Auntie Xi's health is declining. Please help her." 

Sounding sincere, Enzo placed both his palms on his knees and beckoned a deep bow. Everyone would surely think he was being sincere, but Zoey's instinct told her otherwise.

"Why won't you help her?" asked Zoey, staring at Enzo's head as he slowly raised it. "You will not reach the height you're in right now if not for Mom's help. You didn't get it from her by force, right?"

She added. The second Enzo stepped his foot in this local bar and Zoey laid her eyes on him, she had already figured out that he had changed. Zoey couldn't pinpoint it exactly, but this Enzo was not the Enzo she used to hang out with.

"I can only be there to support her. But, she needs you, Zoey." Enzo affirmed without looking away from her.

Zoey and Enzo didn't speak a word after a long moment. They just stared at each other in silence before Zoey let out a faint scoff.

"Is she still alive?" Zoey blurted out. 

The news she watched earlier didn't show nor did they mention anything about Vivian. Not that Zoey seriously thought Vivian could be dead, but Vivian's situation might be worse than what Enzo hinted.

"Of course," Cold and unfazed, Enzo nodded. "With life support, Auntie Xi is still alive and recovering."

Upon hearing his last honest remarks, Zoey sneered. "Why? Mom had been good to you. Why did you do that to her?"

"Auntie is kind, yes. But, the Xi Corporation will crumble down if Big Brother Matt's seat remains empty for long. I'm saving the entire XI Corporation and our lives." Enzo explained his reasons without the slightest change in his cold mien.

"And to save your mighty company and money tree, you killed my husband and now, you're after mom?" Zoey bluntly asked. Yet, her tone was still as calm as a lake.

"You and I both know I did nothing to my cousin. His death is an accident, Z. Let go."

"Let go? huh... if it's not you, then I'm wasting my time." Zoey shrugged, prompting to leave this meeting as she only agreed to meet him because she wanted to ask if Enzo had something to do with Matthew's death.

When Zoey stood and started walking, she halted when Enzo's question asked. "Are you not concerned with Auntie Xi's condition?"

Slowly, Zoey turned around and faced him. 

"I am, but what else can I do?"

The corner of Zoey's lips curled into a smirk. Sure, she wanted to fly home and assist Vivian. However, Zoey knew that would do nothing.

Therefore, Zoey believed if she would exact revenge on her husband's killer, Vivian and Matthew would be at peace. Also, Zoey had already planned to join them after that.

"If that's all, goodbye, Mister Li. also, congrats on succeeding the throne. I hope you're happy." Zoey clicked her tongue, and wave before she resumed in her strides.

Just as Zoey continued in her strides, Enzo suddenly grabbed her wrist and pulled her back. Surprised, Zoey arched her right brow as she slowly raised her gaze up to him.

His eyes sharp, glinting with inexplicable intention. Zoey sneered as she had finally seen the monster who was hiding beneath his charming front.

"I did it, Z. I proved that I can also do what Brother Matt could. Why don't you accept it?" 

Through his gritted teeth, Enzo asked. His grip on her wrist tightened, but Zoey's heart had been numb from the pain that his grip didn't hurt her as much as his changes hurt her heart.

"I can give you whatever you want; even if the person who you believed killed my cousin, I could do it now."

"Will you kill yourself?" Zoey flatly asked.. "I don't want to think about it, but your action tells me I should put you on my list."