Their Villain, The Mogul's Beloved

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Chapter 346

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At the sight of the key, Zinnia’s eyes grew misty. Dangling from it was a white magnolia pendant, handcrafted by Master, their promised token. As long as she saw the magnolia, she knew Master was safe.

Zinnia had been on edge ever since her Master left so suddenly. But now, seeing the magnolia pendant, the knot of worry in her heart finally began to loosen.

“Master,” Zinnia murmured as she picked up the key, her slender pale fingers gently stroking the white magnolia. Beneath the key was a folded note with an address. The moment she recognized the familiar handwriting, her eyes slowly welled up with tears.

The note read: [I’m sorry, Zinnia. It was my fault for not thinking things through and making you suffer. This key is for the house I prepared for you. If you’re not happy staying there, just leave.

[Remember, you’ll always have a place to call home with me. And the candies in the glass jar are limited to one per day. Don’t eat more than you should. I promise, before you finish them all, I’ll come back for you.]

Zinnia lifted the glass jar. Inside, there was a dazzling kaleidoscope of colorful candies wrapped in shimmering papers, piled high like a rainbow. A single crystal tear splashed onto the note beneath

Meanwhile, far across the ocean, a pale–faced man clutched his chest as a sharp pain pierced through him. Struck by some agonizing thought, he suddenly doubled over, crimson blood trickling from the corner of his lips. He murmured, “Zinnia.”

*****

Zinnia composed herself. Then she carefully tucked the box into her backpack and folded the neatly creased note into the inner pocket. Her gaze lingered on the beautiful glass jar as she frowned slightly.

She thought, ‘Master left so many candies, but I can only have one per day, and I’m not even allowed to count how many are left. I don’t know when Master will return, but at least I have something to look forward to.

‘When the last candy is gone, Master will come back. That hope is enough for me. A faint smile played on Zinnia’s lips as she thought, ‘Master will come back for me soon.’

Zinnia had taken a cab to Lynn residence by herself. Since Sofia and the others thought she was with Maisie, they didn’t bother to arrange a ride to send her back. Now she was figuring out how to get home.

“Zinnia!” Turning around, she saw Maisie leaning out of the car window with a

taxis were scarce and ride–hailing apps were useless, Zinnia

in front of her. “Hop in, Zinnia!” Maisie called out cheerfully, swinging the door open with a bright

the car and said, “Hey,

I was just about to ask you for some shopping. What luck running into you

9:08 Mon, Sep 29

Chapter 346

A

ONES Tourbers

planning to go to Cloud

smile back, catching Maisie’s infectious grin.

and tender that it tugged at her heart. She asked,

a brief cry would leave her eyelids red. She hadn’t realized her eyes were still puffy. Touching her still–warm eyelids, she

still wasn’t used to lying. Whenever she did, her

at her with concern. She said, “Is there still sand in your eyes? Does it hurt? Let

Even when she lied, one’d

hurt anymore. Maisie, where are

ages since we had a proper shopping spree. The season’s changing, so we should update our wardrobes. Mom said we can buy as much as we want.

downtown mall, the same one they’d been to before Jackson. Maisie knew the place like

clothes, they decided to just

and led her into the cafe. They found a table and sat down. A server quickly brought over

“Zinnia, the orange juice here is amazing, and the snacks

Maisie was the first to order. She picked out several desserts and a strawberry juice, carefully avoiding anything with

enticing pictures on the tablet and finally settled on a

cream–free,

scooped up a bite, anticipation in

server said as the

popped in her straw, took a sip, and her

9:03 Mon, Sep 29

Chapter 346