Their Villain, The Mogul's Beloved

“Lydia, I’m out here. Where are you?” asked Zinnia.

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It was Saturday that day. Zinnia and Lydia had agreed to visit Lydia’s mother, Bonnie Hollis, at the psychiatric hospital.

Zinnia stepped out of her apartment, where Lydia was waiting for her just outside.

Lydia was dressed in a white short jacket and jeans. Her long hair was tied into a low ponytail. With a casual and neat appearance, she held a bouquet of baby’s breath and sunflowers in her smooth hands.

“Lydia, I saw you,” Zinnia said cheerfully over the phone.

Lydia looked toward the entrance of the apartment and saw Zinnia running cheerfully toward her. A gentle smile bloomed on Lydia’s face.

Zinnia wore a yellow knit dress with a jacket draped over her shoulders, looking as bright and graceful as a butterfly in flight.

“Lydia, you should have come to my place. Yannis has gone to work.” Zinnia hurried toward Lydia.

Lydia smiled and handed her the sunflowers.

“Wow! You got me flowers,” Zinnia exclaimed with delight as she saw the beautiful sunflowers.

Lydia explained, “I went to the florist to get a bouquet for my mom. The sunflowers were so pretty that I brought one bouquet for you.”

“Thanks, Lydia. They’re so pretty,” Zinnia said as she took the flowers.

“Have you had breakfast? If not, let’s go get some breakfast before we go to the hospital,” Lydia asked gently.

“Yes, I have. Yannis had breakfast delivered to me this morning. If you haven’t eaten yet, let me treat you to breakfast,” Zinnia said.

After Yannis had headed off to work early, he had asked someone to deliver breakfast to Zinnia.

Lydia nodded. “Yes, I have.”

“Then let’s head out and visit Ms. Hollis,” Zinnia said. It was a little past nine in the morning, and she felt the two of them needed to take the subway.

“How about taking a taxi?” Lydia suggested. She thought the subway would take too long, and it would be crowded.

“Why not take the subway? I’ve never taken it before,” Zinnia said excitedly.

Zinnia felt that taking a taxi to the psychiatric hospital would cost a lot, and she knew Lydia would never let her pay. Thus, she led Lydia toward the subway entrance.

16:19 Sat, Oct 4

Chapter 408

Zinnia holding her hand, Lydia

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after ten when Zinnia and Lydia arrived

few facilities, the area around the

as a

they walked into the psychiatric hospital, Zinnia looked around and

said and

two entered the psychiatric hospital. Inside, it was eerily quiet. Doctors and nurses passed by with light

wards by nurses for a walk. They shouted insistently that they weren’t

Lydia would never

hurried her toward the elevator, eager

nurse who recognized Lydia greeted her, “Ms. Hollis, you’re here to see your

nodded politely

The facilities were well–maintained, and the medical staff performed

the silent hospital corridor toward the ward, not

into the wards, they could see some patients shouting, while others wandered around with sheets draped over their shoulders, muttering to themselves or to

hospital wards were soundproofed to perfection, so nothing could be heard

saw a woman curled up on the bed

for a

chosen a time to visit when Bonnie’s condition was relatively

Zinnia agreed obediently.

16:19 Sat, Oct 4

Chapter 408

45 youchere

and stepped inside. “Mom,” she called

sterile white room lost some of

patted its back. She murmured softly. “Don’t be afraid, Lydia. Your dad will be home soon. When he comes back, we’ll be

“Sleep,

I will always be here

on the rag doll in her arms. Half of her gaunt face still revealed traces of the beauty she

were glassy and unfocused, and her gaze

crouched in front of her and softly called,

slightly. Her vacant eyes flickered,

“Ly–Lydia, my daughter. My

her pale, bony hand to gently caress Lydia’s face. Over the years, Lydia had visited Bonnie every chance she got.

Bonnie’s face against