Their Villain, The Mogul's Beloved

Chapter 222

Chapter 222

55 vouchers

Inside the mall, Zinnia ignored the shops and made straight for an oddly deserted elevator.

The other elevators had lines of people waiting, yet no one approached this one-even though it stood empty and ready. The crowd kept shooting her sideways looks instead of boarding, which told her something was off.

Soon, the elevator doors slid open, and Zinnia stepped inside without hesitation.

The people waiting outside stared in astonishment at this unfamiliar girl who dared to board Yannis’s private elevator.

Inside, the chatting group fell silent as Zinnia stepped in.

Toby Johnson, Yannis’s assistant, began speaking politely, “Excuse me, miss, this elevator is—”

Zinnia turned with a questioning look in her clear, bright eyes. “Is something wrong?”

Before anyone could respond, a deep, relaxed voice interrupted. “It’s fine. We’re not in any hurry.”

The elevator doors closed behind them, beginning their ascent before anyone could exit.

Zinnia turned toward the voice. As she tilted her head back to meet his eyes, a startling thought struck her-this man’s beauty could stand alongside her master’s.

He had elegantly shaped eyes, sharp cheekbones, and a straight nose above naturally rosy lips. His black shirt, slightly open at the collar, revealed a glimpse of his collarbone. Leaning casually against the elevator wall with one hand in his pocket, he exuded effortless grace.

He looked like something out of a dream-too perfect to be real, too striking to forget. For one reckless moment, she imagined keeping this beauty for herself alone.

“What are you staring at, little girl?” Yannis drawled, amusement coloring his voice. There was something unsettling about how Zinnia looked right through him-like she was staring at something invisible just over his shoulder.

Toby bit back a laugh as he watched his boss mess with Zinnia.

They’d assumed Zinnia was just another girl trying to catch Yannis’s eye-but the blank look on her face made it clear she had no idea why she was even standing there.

The executives standing around exchanged glances as they watched their boss tease the young girl.

“Nothing,” Zinnia muttered, turning her face away. She hated it when he called her “little girl.” It made her skin prickle with irritation.

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11:05 Wed, 17 Sept

Chapter 222

55 vouchers

into the wrong elevator. This clearly wasn’t meant for

floor or what?” Yannis

Zinnia moved with such hesitant, jerky motions-like a baby penguin taking its first

failed to respond,

once, even Yannis seemed genuinely surprised by the

this is a private elevator that only goes directly to the penthouse unless you have a keycard for

about to warn Zinnia when Yannis stopped him mid-motion. It was standard security protocol-they never risked letting potential threats track the

a look

I shouldn’t have stopped Toby from helping her exit earlier. The realization that a little girl was now judging him made Yannis stiffen.

himself hadn’t recognized this was a private elevator. “At the top,” Yannis instructed Toby, his voice clipped, “use your access

“Yes, sir,” Toby replied.

ride to the eighteenth floor was completely quiet. Zinnia, who rarely spoke anyway, stayed silent. Yannis, still shaken by her sharp look, couldn’t find his words. His nice

All his polished social skills meant nothing under

open, and Yannis dashed

handle the situation, Toby turned to Zinnia with a courteous

“The sixteenth,” Zinnia answered.

Enjoy your shopping-Mr. Perkins is covering

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17

Chapter 222

heading straight for

78%

55 vouchers

leaving her

descent.

have been

knew exactly what this meant-when Toby said Mr. Perkins was covering the bill, it could only mean Yannis had given

announced her arrival on the sixteenth floor. The level specialized in

shop labeled Moore’s Herbary. As she approached,

I get for you today?” The shop clerk stepped out from