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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Chapter 222

55 vouchers

into the wrong elevator. This

gonna pick a floor or

eyes, Zinnia moved with such hesitant, jerky motions-like a baby penguin

happened. When the elevator failed to respond, she looked up at

once, even Yannis seemed

in smoothly to explain. “Mr. Perkins, this is a private elevator that only goes directly to the penthouse unless you have a

Yannis stopped him mid-motion. It was standard security protocol-they never risked letting potential threats

Zinnia shot Yannis 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. Just as he opened his

“At the top,” Yannis instructed Toby, his voice clipped, “use your

“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

a loss. All his polished social skills meant nothing under Zinnia’s judging

doors finally slid open, and Yannis

the situation, Toby turned to Zinnia with a courteous

“The sixteenth,” Zinnia answered.

Enjoy your shopping-Mr. Perkins is covering

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Chapter 222

card before heading straight

78%

55 vouchers

leaving her alone as the elevator

descent.

situation left Zinnia unsettled. Yannis might have been

exactly what this meant-when Toby said Mr. Perkins was covering the bill, it could only

her arrival on the sixteenth floor. The level specialized in antiques and handcrafted

Herbary.

out from behind the counter with a friendly smile as Zinnia