Their Villain, The Mogul's Beloved

Chapter 229

Chapter 229

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Noises drifted upstairs. Zinnia peeked down and froze-Maelis, Betty, and Howard were there. Without a word, she turned and headed straight to her room, refusing to talk.

“Zinnia, you’re up!” Betty called when she spotted Zinnia on the landing. The living room fell

silent.

“Zinnia!” Maclis said, pausing mid-chat with Sofia. She looked up, excited. “Zinnia!” She jumped up, voice trembling.

It’d been two days. Maclis wanted to know if Zinnia was feeling okay. Maclis’s mind raced- how was she sleeping? Was her room cozy enough?

Zinnia froze halfway down the stairs. She stared at Maclis’s cager face, expression blank, and said nothing.

“Zinnia,” Sofia sighed, seeing Zinnia’s icy glare. The rift was real-Maelis had pushed Zinnia away, and mending it wouldn’t be casy.

Sofia glanced at Betty, sitting calmly beside Maelis. Her face was unreadable.

Noticing Sofia’s look, Betty smiled politely, as perfect as ever.

Sofia looked away. Zinnia couldn’t match Betty’s guile. Even with her mood swings, Betty was too sly. But Maelis was clueless, always siding with Betty.

Sofia didn’t want to imagine the fallout if Maelis ever saw the truth and Zinnia cut her off completely. She wanted to warn Maelis, but Maelis’s mixed signals-praising Zinnia yet sticking with Betty-gave her a headache.

“Zinnia! Mom’s calling. Get down here,” Howard suddenly shouted, standing up.

“Howard!” Sofia frowned. “Don’t talk to her like that.”

“Grandma…” Howard trailed off.

eyes cold as she scanned the others, then

Sofia said, tapping the cushion next to

She only came downstairs because Sofia called

felt her

you sleep okay?” Sofia asked, holding Zinnia’s hand and

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Wed, 17 Sept

Chapter 229

voice soft-way different from how she

sleep’s important. I just want you to eat,

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eyes all

into fists, staring at Zinnia’s fancy new dress. ‘Why?’ she thought bitterly. After all these years trying to impress that old lady, she still ignores me. Told

it weren’t for Mom, I wouldn’t even see her. Why does she dote on Zinnia after just a few

always been quiet and polite at the Lynn residence, unlike the

matter how much I hustled. Whether I was being

even in the room like I’m her mortal enemy or something,’

tried for years to please Sofia, but not a single kind look. She’d thought Sofia preferred boys. But now, seeing how Sofia adored

Lynn residence, let alone stay. While Zinnia got

Ever since Zinnia showed up, she has been stealing what should be mine. No way am I letting

Maelis’s voice trembled. “About before… I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have doubted you. I should’ve trusted you. Will you

hurt. She gently took Zinnia’s hand

hers. It made her uneasy. She

eaten by emptiness. Her own daughter

apologize. “Zinnia, we messed up before, but we get it now. We were wrong. Please don’t be mad. Let’s