Chapter 1338:
In a private dining room,
“Did you ask to meet?” Johnson cut to the chase the moment he sat down.
Zoie knew better than to dawdle. She said, “Johnson, that guy Niko… You’re still keeping him captive, right?”
The mention of Niko made Johnson’s brow crease. “Why are you asking about him?”
“I was hoping you would release him,” Zoie hesitated before continuing. “You’ve likely given Niko a tough enough lesson by now. I bet he wouldn’t dare bother…”
Catherine again after this; he’ll probably steer clear of her entirely. Since he has already paid a price, why not let him go?”
Hearing that, Johnson let out a faint, scornful chuckle. His gaze dripped with contempt as he replied, “Miss Wilde, mind your own business. We’re only playing the part of a couple; you are not really my girlfriend. Don’t meddle in my affairs.”
Zoie’s face froze with embarrassment.
With a soft sigh, she said, “Johnson, I’m not trying to overstep. I’m only saying this because of Catherine.”
At that, Johnson’s expression changed slightly. “What are you getting at?”
Zoie pursed her lips and then said, “This afternoon, Niko’s father confronted Catherine. He pleaded with her to free his son. When she refused, he got desperate and even pulled a knife, threatening her to comply.”
“What?” Johnson’s face darkened instantly. He bolted upright, his expression laced with panic.
Seeing his reaction, Zoie felt a pang of envy but pushed it down.
Swallowing her jealousy, she said, “Relax, Catherine’s unharmed. I managed to talk Niko’s father down, and he eventually dropped the knife.”
Johnson finally exhaled deeply, his shoulders loosening as he sank back into the chair.
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Zoie seized the moment, her tone persuasive. “The reason I urged you to release Niko,” she began, “is that I’m afraid his father might snap under pressure and harm Catherine.”
She leaned forward slightly, her voice lowering. “Think about it; he showed up with a knife today. That alone tells us he’s already on the edge of doing something drastic. If you continue to detain his son and push him to the brink, he may very well risk everything. Is that a risk you’re willing to take?”
She let her words linger in the air, then studied Johnson’s face for a reaction. “Doesn’t that make sense?” she asked.
Johnson sat silently for a moment, his gaze unreadable. Then, in a composed voice, he answered, “I know what I’m doing. There’s no need for you to worry. I will leave now.”
With that, he rose to his feet and walked away without looking back.
Zoie’s gaze narrowed slightly as she watched him go.
Her words hadn’t been born from concern; they were calculated. Telling Johnson about the knife incident at Irondeer University had a very specific purpose: to stoke the fire between Johnson and Niko’s father.
