Their Villain, The Mogul's Beloved

Chapter 434

For two weeks, Zinnia rested at home, with a private tutor ensuring her studies didn’t fall behind.

Maisie, Isaac, and even Ethan, Brian, and Lydia dropped by often to keep her company.

On weekdays, when Yannis was tied up at work, he’d take her to the Perkins Group, where a private study lounge awaited. Weekends were for her to stay home with friends.

Sofia and the other Lynns visited up to three times a day, flooding Cloud Harbor with tonics and supplements.

Once, when Yannis wasn’t around, Sofia secretly asked the chef to add more meat to Zinnia’s meals. But Yannis found it out, leaving the two red–faced with embarrassment.

Sofia’s heart went out to Zinnia–after everything she’d endured, even her meals were being restricted. So when Zinnia started indulging in endless snacks, fruits, and nourishing soups throughout the day, Sofia pretended not to notice allowing Zinnia quite a good life these days.

*****

That weekend, Ethan and the others brought explosive news. “Zinnia, Jackson called the police today. The entire Shaw family got arrested–they’re all crooks,” Ethan blurted.

While Zinnia basked in care, the Shaw family descended into chaos. Their grand living room was now crammed with a dozen officers.

A detective announced, “After investigation, Maelis is charged with intentional homicide, Donald with child abandonment, and Yosef with trade secret theft for bribing others to steal Perkins Group data.

“Betty, you’re charged with a false accusation, attempted murder, and theft. Timothy, you’re under suspicion of official misconduct. Please cooperate with our investigation.”

The officers‘ eyes fixed on the Shaw family. Five out of six members faced criminal charges–a tip–off that even the police found shocking.

“The last case was dropped, wasn’t it? Anne withdrew the charges against me. Why am I being arrested for theft? I never stole anything.” Betty’s voice shook, panic etched across her face as she dodged the police officer who was trying to cuff her.

She hadn’t expected to be dragged into this. Her once–tender face was now mottled with bruises–proof of Maelis’s abuse.

scraps. Sometimes, Maelis would fly into rages at midnight, dragging Betty from bed to beat her. The endless torture had pushed Betty to

of Maelis’s tenderness were gone. These days, she beat Donald and Betty daily, lashing

accept that her child was actually her husband’s

Oct 7

Chapter 434

all Maclis,

44

55 vouchers

days there, the trauma ran deep. She never wanted to see

had kept a low profile, planning to study abroad to escape. As for Zinnia… she mused. ‘With my family in ruins, I can’t take her on now. I’ll bide

Ms. Zinnia Moore,” the officer stated matter–of–factly. “Intentional defamation, theft of Moon Scar

Anne incident, but Zinnia’s case was still hanging. Trying to frame Zinnia, dragging her into the water at that birthday party, messing with Yosef’s car by taking out screws -each act was

Betty stole two jars of Moon Scar Cream from Zinnia’s room. The entire Shaw

Yosef, while Timothy’s case stemmed from

home to seek justice. Timothy worked for

case.

lawsuit. Unable to fight

always a bigger power at play–and the Shaws were doomed. No

voice breaking, “How? I’m their daughter. How could they do this? Who called the police? The Lynns?

been on edge for days. Even though she thought Jackson had spared her, she was still spooked. But after days of calm, she relaxed and turned to tormenting Donald: beating him, dragging him, or forcing him to

himself on his polished demeanor and carefully crafted image. But against Maelis–now

Donald tormented by Maelis, the company’s burdens fell

Even Yosef, with years of experience, couldn’t navigate the crisis, let alone Timothy and

swollen mess, crisscrossed with bloody scratches from Maelis. He crawled across the floor, grabbed an officer’s pant

this.”