Chapter 0177


    ZAIA.


    “So how old are you, Zaia?” Gerard asks as he sits back, that unnerving smirk on his face getting to


    me.


    “I am in my mid-twenties,” I reply cordially.


    “A good age. Once you get to my age, you have to take care of yourself a little more,” he chuckles, “It


    takes a lot longer to recover from tumbles and falls.”


    I raise an eyebrow. “Oh? Well, I beg to differ. I think regardless of our age, we all need to take care of


    ourselves.” I reply.


    He raises an eyebrow before he nods. “I guess that’s true, we can all be permanently wounded…”


    What a strange thing to say…


    “So, when did youe to the States?” I ask.


    “Not too long ago.”


    “That isn’t very clear, Mr King… Not too long ago could mean a few days, a few weeks or even a few


    months.” I reply.


    He watches me intently before leaning forward, sparing the clock a nce before giving me all his


    attention.


    “So… why do I feel like you don’t trust me, Zaia?”


    Oh? How exactly did he deduce that? Unless, of course, he has something to hide…


    “Oh, not at all. I don’t have an opinion of someone I have just met yet. I usually decide an opinion on


    what I feel depending on one’s actions


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    and I can’t do that so soon. We have… just met, right? Time will tell, Mr. King.”


    “I see…”


    His demeanour changes for a second before he looks away.


    “Unless, of course, you expected me to recognise you,” I add quietly.


    I might just be making a fool of myself, or worse, even offending someone innocent, but it is the only


    way I can think of to get answers.


    By pretending to know more than I do.


    His eyes glimmer, his smirk faltering as he watches me.


    “The thing is… Mr King. You confuse me.” I continue.


    “How so, pray tell.”


    “You say you don’t watch the news… yet… you knew of me bing CEO.” I say, sitting back and


    crossing my legs gracefully.


    “As a businessman, business… otherpanies and rival entities are of interest and so, I… keep on


    top of that.”


    “Of course they are. I’m sure you are passionate about getting rid of all those who stand in your way.”


    “Getting rid of?” He throws his head back, roaring withughter, a sound that grates on my nerves.


    “Those words are a little… extreme, are they not?”


    Het out a fakeugh as I look across at him innocently. “Extreme? For someone who used the words


    ‘cleansed’, you scream extreme to


    me.”


    are


    His smile disappears, and his eyes darken. “As much as I’m enjoying this conversation, Zaia… I do


    take offence when insulted and you a incredibly brave to do so to my face… or incredibly stu pid.” His


    voice


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    is extremely low.


    “Then drop the fa?ade, I know who you are,” I reply coldly, the atmosphere in the room shifting.


    Our eyes meet and I refuse to back down by looking away first. I pull on every emotion in my body,


    feeling my eyes burn with power, feeling it ripple around me as I re at him with my aura like a shield


    surrounding me.


    A frown crosses his forehead, and he clenches his jaw.


    “And what fa?ade might that be?” he asks, almost challengingly.


    My next sentence might just get me confirmation… This is it. I give it my all and to hell with


    consequences.


    “Yes… You are probably angry we havepleted the Triquetra… is that why you are here, to see for


    yourself? Or to attempt to kill me once again. I know who you are, Gerard. Drop the act, it does not suit


    you.”


    I stand up, my heart thumping as I look down at him with hatred and


    scorn.


    There’s a sliver of fear that ripples through me but I refuse to show


    him that


    After all, he is possibly the one who tried to murder Val… tried to kill me… and Sebastian.


    He stands up, towering over me and advances on me as I hold my


    ground, prepared for anything.


    “So… now that we have introduced ourselves to one another, let’s cut to the chase. You chose the


    wrong side. You are foolish to think that you will win…because I will make sure you will not seed.”


    His poisonous words are barely above a whisper as he leans closer to me.


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    His threat is loud and clear.


    “And you are an even bigger fool to think you will be the one to seed. But you are right about one


    thing.” I begin.


    He runs his fingers through my hair and I smack his hand away, making him smirk.


    “And what might that be?” he asks, now almost amused.


    Why is he so confident?


    “That this world needs to be cleansed of sc um. I will do the honours to get rid of you myself.” I say


    venomously.


    His smirk falters, his eyes filling with rage. “It seems my small threats have not been enough… don’t


    anger me because now that you have chosen your side, I no longer need you,” he snarls.


    “The triquetra has beenpleted, that is the end of it. We have as good as won.” I say sharply.


    He chuckles, “Oh, it doesn’t work that way, not at all… The thing is, the battle may be over, but the war


    is only just beginning…”


    “What do you mean?”


    “That’s for me to know,” he whispers tauntingly.


    “I don’t get it… I understand wanting to hurt me, to hate me, but how could you try to kill your cousin’s


    son?” I ask, ring at him.


    T