Chapter 58 Chapter 58. Zephyr Claims Zoria Again
Zephyr snapped back to himself. He looked at the tablet his assistant handed over, his expression worn with fatigue. “Just pick one. Don’t bother asking me.”
The assistant nodded, then remembered something and asked, “What about the funeral?”
For the first time, something shifted on Zephyr’s face. He lit a cigarette, held it between his lips, exhaled a stream of smoke, and let out a faint, mocking laugh. “A criminal like him—what’s the point of a funeral? Cremate him and bury the ashes. That’s enough.”
Zephyr paused, then asked again, “The apartment I told you to find—did you handle it?”
The assistant replied, “I hired a team for the soft furnishings. In about half a month, you can move in.”
Zephyr asked, “Same style as the old villa?”
“Yes. Exactly according to the original design—guaranteed to be identical.”
Zephyr nodded. “Go get it done. And have the men keep their eyes on Zoria—Evander too. If either of them makes a move, report to me.”
“Yes.”
The assistant left. The room fell silent, leaving Zephyr alone. He walked over to the floor-to-ceiling window and looked out at the fine drizzle outside. A flicker of panic crossed his eyes.
He forced himself to make everything go back to how it used to be, and he hoped Zoria would not change.
……
Evander stood outside the hospital room, taking a phone call. A moment later, he walked in with a grim expression. “Zoria, Uncle Kieran has already been sent for cremation. Zephyr arranged it. I didn’t have time to stop it.”
Everhart Pack and Valor Pack had cut all ties. The police could not locate Zoria, so naturally they let Zephyr sign off on all of Kieran’s funeral arrangements.
Zoria froze, her face going stiff. “Where is my father’s grave?”
Evander frowned. “Only Zephyr would know that.”
Zoria threw back the blanket and got out of bed. Evander lifted a hand to stop her. “What are you trying to do?”
“I’m going to find Zephyr. He was my father. Why does Zephyr get to decide what happens to him?” Zoria shoved Evander aside. She moved too abruptly and accidentally tugged at the wound in her abdomen.
Pain tore a muffled groan from her throat, her body curling in on itself uncontrollably.
Evander panicked. “Zoria, are you okay?”
Zoria shook her head, her voice hoarse. “I want to see Zephyr.”
Knowing he could not stop her, Evander carefully helped her down from the bed. As soon as he opened the door, the bodyguard outside raised a hand to block them.
Zoria said coldly, “Move.”
“Ms. Zoria, the Boss told us to keep an eye on you. You’re not allowed to wander around.”
Zoria knew forcing her way out would never work. She changed tactics. “Fine, I won’t go. Then call Zephyr here. I have something to say to him.”
The bodyguard gave an awkward smile. “The Boss is busy. I wouldn’t dare call him…”
Zoria pressed her lips together, her tone turning even colder. “Then give me your phone. I’ll contact him myself.”
Evander’s phone had certainly already been blocked by Zephyr. As for Zoria’s, she had left it behind at the villa when she went out. Since she could not leave, borrowing the bodyguard’s phone was her only option.
The bodyguard looked at her and stayed silent.
Zoria let out a mocking laugh. “Zephyr told you to watch me closely. But if I force my way out and you accidentally hurt me while stopping me, how do you think he’ll deal with you?”
The bodyguard hesitated, weighing the consequences. In the end, he pulled out his phone and handed it to her.
Zoria took the phone and, without a second thought, dialed Zephyr.
The ringtone echoed. A bitter smile tugged at the corner of her lips. She knew Zephyr’s number so well that even with her eyes closed, counting down, she could dial it perfectly.
After only a few seconds, the call was cut off. Hearing the familiar busy tone, Zoria expressionlessly tossed the phone back to the bodyguard. He smiled, as if he had expected it. When the Boss was busy, he never answered anyone’s calls.
He thought Zoria would return to the room, but instead she remained standing at the doorway, her eyes fixed on the hallway, on the elevator.
Unable to hold back, the bodyguard asked, “Ms. Zoria, what are you still standing here for?”
“I’m waiting for him.”
“The Boss won’t come. You should go back inside.”
Zoria did not respond. She clutched Evander’s arm and continued to stand there, her gaze never leaving the elevator doors.
Evander frowned slightly as he looked at her. He felt that she was different now. The gloom in her eyes was no longer fragile; instead, it carried a faint coldness and sharpness, eerily similar to Zephyr’s.
With a soft “ding,” the elevator stopped on their floor. The bodyguard stiffened and instinctively looked over.
Zephyr stepped out, tall and imposing. The bodyguard’s eyes widened in shock. Only when Zephyr reached him did he hurriedly bow his head. “Boss.”
Zephyr walked closer. When he was about a meter away from Zoria, he stopped, looking down at her, his voice calm and indifferent. “Zoria, were you waiting for me?”
Aside from the fact that Zephyr had hidden his hatred for her father, Zoria understood him almost completely. She could tell whether approaching footsteps belonged to him or not. She had even used phone calls to guess whether he would come home at night. If he did not answer, he was busy. If he hung up as soon as it rang, he was not coming back. If it rang for a few seconds before cutting off, it meant he was on his way and already close to home.
In the past, Zoria had tried to understand him, tried to draw closer to him. And what did she get in return? In the end, she was still deceived.
Zoria lifted her head. “Where was my father buried?”
Zephyr did not answer her. He shot Evander a hostile look, and when he saw that Evander’s hand was still resting on Zoria’s shoulder, irritation flared instantly.
Zephyr reached out, grabbed Zoria by the wrist, yanked her hard away from Evander, and pulled her tightly against his chest. He tilted her chin up and said, “Thanks for taking care of my female. I’m here now. You’re no longer needed. Get lost.”