Their Villain, The Mogul's Beloved

Chapter 262

Chapter 262

Howard couldn’t figure out why Zinnia had started to occupy his thoughts. Maybe it was the way she sat there quietly, listening to their plans to send her away, her calm and steady gaze making him feel inexplicably uneasy.

Or maybe it was the time she fainted in his arms, her pale face showing a vulnerability he hadn’t noticed before. It hit him that she wasn’t just some girl; she was his sister, someone who needed to be cared for.

Or perhaps it was the way she stopped talking to him, her cold demeanor leaving him feeling unsettled. Or maybe it was her indifference, the way she ignored them completely, her coldness making him feel uncomfortable, like they were being treated unfairly.

Whatever the reason, Howard knew he didn’t want Zinnia to treat him like this. He thought, ‘She is clearly angry. I owe her an apology. Maybe if I apologized, she’d stop being so distant. Maybe she’d smile at me again.’

Howard called out, “Zinnia.” His voice was hesitant as he looked at her. Her silence made him feel like he was standing on shaky ground.

“I don’t need your apology,” Zinnia replied, her tone flat and her expression unchanged.

Howard’s hand slowly dropped to his side. He said, “Zinnia, you haven’t forgiven me, have you?” His voice carried a hint of

sadness.

Zinnia replied, “Who says I have to forgive you just because you apologized?” Her voice was calm, but her words were sharp. She couldn’t understand why Howard looked so defeated. She thought, ‘Does he think an apology is all it took?’

Howard fell silent.

“Zinnia,” a voice called out from behind them.

Zinnia turned her head. Upon seeing the person, her eyes sparkled with joy. She called out, “Charlie!” She stepped past Howard and hurried toward Charlie. He had been busy lately, and she hadn’t seen him for several days.

Charlie pulled his hand from behind his back, revealing a white teddy bear. He said, “I broke my promise, so here’s something to make it up to you.”

He had promised to spend time with Zinnia until school started, but a call from his teacher had pulled him away the very next morning, leaving him no chance to keep his word.

“Thank you, Charlie,” Zinnia said softly. She hugged the teddy bear tightly. It was soft and adorable, and she rubbed her cheek against it.

be so formal with me.” He ruffled her hair lightly. His face softened with

accompanied by the sound of quick footsteps

stairs.

dinner ready,” Sofia said, appearing seemingly out of nowhere. Her gaze shifted between

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Chapter 262

apart, and Zinnia fit right in, as if she truly belonged there. Seeing

out, “Howard, dinner’s ready.” She sighed

cheerful as she sat

come back every day to spend time with you,” Charlie said warmly. He carefully deboned a piece of fish before

his work to the hospital. However, if the lab required his

still return

added a slice of pork to her bowl and said, “Zinnia,

a chipmunk, and her eyes sparkled with

across from Zinnia, watching as the Lynn brothers doted on her. Zinnia looked so relaxed, savoring every bite, a stark contrast to her usual demeanor at the Shaw residence. At Shaw family’s table, Zinnia mostly

at the table, noticing the vibrant dishes. The dishes were a colorful, flavorful spread,

Shaw family. The Shaws preferred bland, light flavors. Heavy oil and seasoning were practically taboo. Howard noticed

wrinkled her nose in disdain before reluctantly eating them. She never helped herself to vegetables, instead, she enjoyed

eating only rice at home because there were no dishes she liked? Is that why she’s so

couldn’t avoid seeing each other. When everyone else was picking up dishes, Zinnia alone would just hold onto her bowl of rice and eat.

notice her,

thought she was just shy and even found her behavior annoying. They thought, ‘Why act like that while eating? It

He thought, ‘We never tried to understand her.’ His heart sank under the

peel it. The greasy texture felt strange and uncomfortable in his hands. It was his

places and leaving the

zone.

out toward Zinnia. Just as he extended his hand, it bumped into another. He looked

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12:56 Thu, 18 Sept