Chapter 102
After Zoey stepped out of the restroom, she headed straight to a relatively quiet terrace to catch her breath.
Just then, her phone vibrated. It was an encrypted number.
That was Clover's signature.
She answered the call, but before she could say anything, the other side erupted, "Rose! Help!"
"What?" Zoey's expression remained unchanged, but she lowered her voice slightly, "What did you screw up this time?"
Her demeanor now was completely different from the quiet, somewhat distant woman who had been beside Alexander earlier. Her eyes were sharp and calm.
"Iron Vanguards' platform, someone issued a challenge, and I couldn't help but accept it." Clover's voice was small, as if afraid Zoey would be angry, with a hint of pleading.
"You accepted it, so what? Why are you freaking out?" Zoey's tone was completely calm.
In her view, anyone daring to challenge Iron Vanguards was asking for trouble.
Iron Vanguards was the largest mercenary team, filled with highly skilled individuals. They didn't take challenges seriously at all.
"I'm panicking because..." Clover continued cautiously, "The challenge was issued to you. I didn't inform you beforehand and accepted it, so could you please take it on?"
Zoey was taken aback. She hadn't expected the challenge to be directed at her.
After hearing Clover's explanation, she instantly understood why Clover was so anxious.
Not hearing Zoey's response, Clover thought she was angry and spoke with a hint of guilt:
"Rose, the challenger was so arrogant, they hacked into our outer system and left a message, specifically naming you, saying Iron Vanguards is just a bunch of posers..."
"I couldn't hold back and accepted it on your behalf. Please don't be mad."
"I'm not mad, just a bit surprised." Zoey pinched the bridge of her nose.
Iron Vanguards was founded by her mentor, not to engage in senseless fights, but to create a sanctuary for those with extraordinary talents who were seen as freaks by others.
While giving them a home, they used their abilities to maintain a certain order in the shadows, allowing more innocent people to live happily and peacefully.
Her mentor entrusted her with managing Iron Vanguards, and she set a strict rule.
Challenges could be accepted, but they must be carefully evaluated, never impulsively agreed to on behalf of others.
For eight years, Iron Vanguards adhered to this rule, and no one had broken it.
Unexpectedly, Clover had acted impulsively.
"Since it's accepted, send me the time and place. I'll be there." Her tone was indifferent.
Avoidance wasn't Zoey's style. Since the challenge was issued, she would face it personally.
"Okay, as long as you're not mad." Clover breathed a sigh of relief, then asked curiously, "I heard you attended the Garcia family's banquet? Invited by Alexander?"
"Yeah." Zoey knew she wanted to gossip, "We're just friends."
One word, "friends," couldn't stop Clover's curiosity.
"What kind of friends act like this? Rose, you know we're not just bodyguards, we're also a powerful intelligence network, right? We've been keeping tabs on your interactions with him."
"The Garcia family is complicated. I'm worried you'll get caught up and deceived."
Clover wasn't just gossiping; she was genuinely concerned that the Garcia family might harm Zoey.
"I know what I'm doing," Zoey said calmly.
The Garcia family was the most powerful in Emerald City, and they were definitely not simple. After attending their banquet yesterday, Finn had already started investigating her background.
The information he wanted was all provided by her.
Logically, Alexander should be the one most interested in investigating her, but he hadn't made a move, as if he trusted her completely.
Whether he trusted her or not didn't matter to Zoey; she wouldn't change for anyone.
"Did you find anything on what I asked you to investigate?" Zoey asked about the more important matter.
Who was behind the attack on Alexander in the alley that night?
She hadn't cared initially, but later felt it necessary to investigate.
For the sake of her good friend Tamsin, she had to get to the bottom of it.
Alexander was the heir to the Garcia family, attracting many enemies who wanted him gone.
She mainly wanted to know where the potential threat was coming from.
The attack that night was well-organized and ruthless, not the work of ordinary business rivals.
"We found some clues, but the other side is very cautious, cleaning up thoroughly. We're still investigating." Clover paused, then continued, "Rose, you're so invested in Alexander's affairs, could it be you're the one falling for him?"
"Rose, don't get too caught up in love. It's not good."
Her worst fear had come true: the most formidable member of Iron Vanguards was being swayed by a handsome guy.
Many within Iron Vanguards liked Rose, but she chose Alexander?
Alexander, who topped the international assassination list.
So dangerous. She couldn't let Rose be dragged down by him, so she tried hard to persuade her.
"I'm not falling for him." Zoey felt the need to clarify.
Clover sighed in relief, "That's good, that's good."
"Keep investigating, no matter the cost. I want the name of the mastermind." Zoey's voice carried a hint of coldness.
"Got it." Clover responded, and as Zoey was about to hang up, she quickly added, "Rose, make sure you stay in control, especially with this challenge."
She was really regretting her impulsive acceptance of the challenge, hoping Zoey would win, so the others in Iron Vanguards wouldn't have a reason to give her a hard time.
She hadn't expected someone to challenge Rose directly.
"Alright, don't worry. I'm hanging up." Zoey ended the call and headed back to the banquet hall.
Inside, her gaze met Alexander's.
Alexander seemed to have just finished something and was looking for Zoey. Seeing her, he quickly walked over.
"Why did you take so long? I thought someone had kidnapped you. I was about to send Oliver to check."
Zoey found it a bit exaggerated and said softly, "I was on the terrace getting some air. You probably have more to do here. I'll head to Chroma Atelier for styling and meet you at the Garcia Villa tonight."
Today was Finn's birthday, and Chroma Atelier would likely be busy with many people getting styled. If she were to appear with Alexander again, people would definitely gossip about their relationship.
She didn't want to feel the curious stares even with her eyes closed.
So it was better to separate and meet at the Garcia Villa.
But Alexander didn't agree. He looked displeased after Zoey's rejection.
"You really want to be away from me that much?"
Zoey felt he misunderstood and quickly explained, "We'll still meet at the Garcia family gathering, right? You still have things to finish here, and I want to get styled first. This way, neither side is delayed. Isn't that perfect?"
"No, it's not. I don't care about my business here; I just want to be with you." Alexander's voice carried a hint of dissatisfaction.