Their Villain, The Mogul's Beloved

Chapter 439

Zinnia stepped into the classroom, immediately surrounded by classmates who’d bombarded her with questions—they’d missed her during her absence. After reassuring them repeatedly that she was unharmed, the crowd finally dispersed, revealing Anne standing quietly at the back.

“Feeling better?” Anne asked, her worried gaze fixed on Zinnia’s hand. Unlike the others, she knew the real story behind Zinnia’s absence.

“Much better, thanks.” Zinnia nodded.

“That’s a relief,” Anne said. Since they weren’t particularly close, she quietly slid back into her seat.

Zinnia settled into her chair and smiled to herself, “Two weeks away, looks like everyone’s love for me is stronger than ever.”

Ethan turned with a laugh. “Zinnia, your ego is growing.”

Zinnia pulled a compact from her desk, eyeing her reflection. “With looks like these, a little vanity is allowed, right?”

Ethan stared at her stunningly beautiful face, his ears turning faintly red. “Yep, if I had a face this pretty, I’d be narcissistic too.” he babbled.

Gone was the baby fat that once gave Zinnia a sweet, innocent air. Illness had sculpted her features into sharp, exquisite lines–she was now a head–turner.

Ethan twirled a pen with one hand, grinning. “You’ve changed so much. Remember when you first joined? You were so quiet and barely spoke. Now you spout confident nonsense without blinking.”

He watched the radiant Zinnia behind him, lost in memory. When they first met, she was timid and withdrawn, always fearing she’d be a burden–the model of a meek, well–behaved girl.

But now, just three months later, she was a whole new person–radiant and confident. It was evident she’d been cherished.

The Lynn and Spence families‘ unconditional love, and Jackson’s patient guidance had nurtured her into a self–assured young lady. She’d retained her gentle core but developed a distinct edge–softness with spine.

studied her reflection: bright eyes, perpetual smile. She looked like a

first left the Shaw family, she barely smiled even once a day. But now, even she had noticed that her smile was showing

sorrow barely registered. After Nathan’s departure, she’d lost the ability to feel at all. The Shaws‘ oppressive environment had snuffed out what

brought her to the Lynn residence that her emotional freeze began to thaw. But true emotional awakening came

Wed, Oct 8

Chapter 439

:

(60

56 vouchers

thought he was clueless. The second time, she realized

a “small gift.” When Maisie later revealed its exorbitant price, Zinnia figured this guy was outrageously generous–who gave such luxury to

interaction, his words and actions drew out new emotions: flutters of joy, waves of comfort, anchors

clearly. People flowed in and out of her life, experiences

and Brian in the front row nodded in unison. Zinnia’s changes were impossible to

was eye–catching, she didn’t compete for attention; she just wanted to blend into

too bold nor too subtle, with a unique color all her

we could nurture a darling like Zinnia.” Maisie preened, though Jackson

with her improved grades, Maisie had decided to sit behind Zinnia, while Zinnia and

top student, Lydia had chosen Zinnia as her deskmate, keeping them side by

of Bonnie had made it tough for her

“Hey, Lydia.” Zinnia beamed.

over, holding

Zinnia’s

eyes