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.

downstairs. “Grandma,” she said flatly, eyes cold as she scanned the others,

by me, Zinnia,” Sofia said, tapping the

She only came downstairs

by without a look. She felt her throat tight. They hadn’t talked much

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

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Wed, 17 Sept

Chapter 229

her voice soft-way different from how she

to eat, rest, and

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eyes all

bitterly. After all these years

her. Why does she dote on

always

was being all polite or trying to show I really cared.

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

to please Sofia, but not a single kind look. She’d thought Sofia preferred boys. But now, seeing how Sofia adored Zinnia, Betty knew that gender didn’t matter. Sofia indeed adored and

could barely visit the Lynn residence, let alone stay. While Zinnia got to live there,

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

Grandma’s, Zinnia? Do you miss home?” Maelis’s voice trembled. “About before… I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have doubted you. I should’ve

hurt. She gently took Zinnia’s hand

hand holding hers. It made her uneasy.

like her heart was being eaten by emptiness. Her own daughter wouldn’t even hold her hand.

get it now. We were wrong. Please don’t be mad. Let’s go home.