313 HUSBAND'S OR FATHER'S?

"It doesn't matter. What you should be concerned about is whether we would come back again or not. Don't you think so?"

Uncle Bo reacted with a devilish grin. Zoe's hand unconsciously flew to Raigon's arm as she looked for support as she would lose her balance.

"Are you always this wicked, Uncle?" She uttered out loud as she narrowed her eyes at who she believed is her uncle and her adoptive father for years.

"Do you think I will take care of you and your mother for charity? I have been looking for the Tree even more than before I met you."

Koby was smirking as he was listening to them and Raigon noticed it. "Do you know about this too?"

He lifted up his eyes and bored over his. "Why not? I'm his son."

Zoe cupped her mouth as a realization hit her. 

"Then you're after the Tree that's why you are in Lord Howe Island? Are you the one who almost killed me underwater? Are you one of those who were pointing guns at us during the last survival game?"

Koby's face suddenly lifted into a weird smile as he clapped his hands. "I'm a great actor, am I?" 

Raigon couldn't control himself any longer as he gave a blow at Koby's face, making his nose bleed.

"You almost killed her. You almost killed us!"

The body guards pointed their guns at Raigon making Zoe scream in horror as she stood in front of him.

"Please don't!"

Koby halted them and spoke up. "Now you know the truth, I will tell you one thing more. We are on our way to Terra right now. Your people have already opened the door to us."

"Our people?" 

Now it was Zoe and Raigon's turn to look at each other. As far as they know, Duke Andras, Lord Vigo and even Lady Thana are in prison. Who could have mobilized the rebels if not for them?

"It's funny that you don't even know your own people? If you want to know who they are, better hurry back before it is completely ruined again."

Zoe's knees couldn't take it anymore as they wobbled, making her fall down. It was of good fortune that Raigon was beside him and he immediately caught her and put her down on a chair.

With the revelation that Terra was in danger of having another bloodbath, Zoe searched for air to breathe in as if it doesn't exist. She drew in a lungful of air and blew out. She repeated this process over and over again. 

With her blurry eyes, her hand reached out for Raigon's arm. "G-go back. They need you."

Raigon was also trembling at the thought of the Great Bloodbath happening again. But he was more concerned about Zoe's state right now. Her lips were as pale as death as if she would pass out. 

He glanced at the father and son tandem who were in no position to care for her.

"Come with me." His worried eyes bored into hers. 

Koby sniggered at the side as he gave an eye at Zoe. "You either save your husband's land or your father's company. You choose. Or better yet, you choose me and you can have both."

His eyes lit up as he said that as he was really interested in Zoe in the first place. Especially now that he learned that they weren't blood related.

"She is my wife!" Raigon stood up and snarled at him with a deafening voice. But the body guards lifted their guns again and pointed at him, making Koby give out an evil laugh.

"This is not your territory, Terran. Go back and save your skin. Leave your wife with me."

An evil twinkle sparked in his eye as he wiped his palms. 

"You will not lay your dirty hands on my cousin!" Cayden appeared on the scene and went to Zoe's side. 

He nodded at Raigon as if they knew something that Zoe didn't know. 

It was Raigon who let Cayden know that they would meet with his father. He has no idea what his father is like. And since they were already contacting one another after their meeting, he let him know just in case.

"Don't meddle with our business, Cayden!" Bo reprimanded him, aghast that he is seeing everything that is happening. 

"Why not? I am your son too!" Cayden exclaimed in a wavering voice as one could note a trace of hurt and disappointment with it.

"I'm doing this for all of us. For your future!" Bo defended his actions. But it made Cayden all the more angry with him.

"Isn't Zoe part of that 'us'? Why are you doing this to her?" Cayden broke out as she pointed at Zoe who was still frozen at the dilemma she is facing.

"I-It was not my intention to involve her with this." Uncle Bo finally admitted.

Zoe looked at both men but she was too dumbfounded to say anything. Her hands flew to cover her face as she was in a dilemma. 

Does she really have to leave the company so she could go to Terra? And could she do anything for them if she is an outcast in their land?

Seeing her in a confused state, Raigon knelt down in front of her. "I know you are muddled right now. And I won't force you. Just be strong."

He caressed her hair and embraced her in his arms before he whispered to her ears.

"You're a Lin and now a Wang. The blood of an overcomer runs through your blood. Whatever you choose, I will support you. But now I must do what a Crowned Prince should do."

He pressed his lips on Zoe one more time and then gave a quick triumphant glance at Koby showing him who really owns her. 

Koby gritted his teeth and motioned the guards to leave the scene with him. 

************************************

A gem cannot be polished without friction. Nor a man perfected without trials.