Their Villain, The Mogul's Beloved

Chapter 218

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Chapter 218

Zinnia slept until evening. While she was out, the Shaw family came looking for her, but Sofia turned them away, furious.

She made it clear Zinnia wasn’t going anywhere until the Shaws straightened themselves out.

The Shaws had accused Zinnia of wrongdoing over a ridiculous misunderstanding and actually considered banishing her. The thought of Zinnia hearing those hurtful words twisted Sofia’s stomach.

Maelis bore the brunt of Sofia’s fury. Sofia couldn’t comprehend how her own daughter could be so blind to what was right.

When Maelis finally left with red-rimmed eyes, promising to check on Zinnia later, Sofia turned away without acknowledgment.

The irony tasted like ash in Sofia’s mouth. ‘Zinnia’s her own flesh and blood. If she’d truly cared, she would’ve at least looked back before leaving.

‘But no, she’s too wrapped up in coddling Betty while being ready to throw Zinnia away. What kind of mother does that?’ she thought.

“You’re awake?” Charlie entered with medicine, immediately moving to help as Zinnia struggled upright.

Zinnia blinked at the unfamiliar room, her thoughts sluggish, until a kind-eyed man leaned into view. For one dizzy moment, she thought it was her master-always so gentle, always there when she woke up sick.

Without thinking, she leaned into Charlie. “Master…” Her voice came out soft, rough, and aching.

Charlie froze, unprepared for her unexpected closeness and immediate trust.

Charlie looked down at Zinnia leaning on him, confused. A strange warm feeling grew in his chest-he’d never had someone depend on him like this before.

The Lynn family had no girls in Charlie’s generation, and Charlie, like the rest, couldn’t stand Betty, When Zinnia leaned into him, trusting and warm, he froze, his hands stiff on her shoulders, and his mind blank.

Charlie leaned closer, but Zinnia’s whisper was too faint to catch. “Hey,” he said, keeping his voice soft, “I’ll take care of you. No more pain.”

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Chapter 218

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his coworkers’ words about how to comfort little sisters, he gave an awkward pat between her

sharp edges and hollow curves, twisted something inside him. ‘Whoever was supposed to care for her

say little girls are fragile-no way she can handle

of Charlie’s soothing voice. She looked up to see his kind face-soft features,

slowly settled into a steady

away from Charlie’s arms as she realized the man

master.

darken with that familiar scolding tone. “You never let me stop worrying,” he’d sigh. “How will you take care of

he’d found her as a baby, dumped in the trash and barely breathing, her tiny body bruised head to toe. The fact she’d survived at

shocked him.

of his care had strengthened her, but

herb- gathering in the mountains, he’d leave her with someone in their town, too

biological parents and sent her back to

Zinnia. When she’d been pushed in, she’d thrashed

do. Cold water rushed into her nose and

for Betty without hesitation. The familiarity of it prickled her skin-that same abandonment she’d felt when her

the others finally pulled her out, but the icy chill had already seeped into

bones.

the illness coming on. Normally, she’d make her own remedy, but she’d used all her herbs on Lucy and the others. When she

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11:04 Wed, 17 Sept

Chapter 218

dragged her to the

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away, the warmth vanished, leaving behind an unexpected chill. That hollow

lab work to notice her return. Even yesterday’s visit with their grandparents hadn’t crossed

first time, Charlie found she matched every image he’d ever held of an ideal sister-delicate beauty and

“I’m fine now, thank you.” Her gaze took in the unfamiliar surroundings- neither the Shaw residence nor the hospital. Recalling Jackson’s mention of taking her to the Lynn

and Zinnia was even quieter. Before long, the room

silent.