Their Villain, The Mogul's Beloved

Zinnia and Lydia spent the afternoon plowing through problems until Zinnia finally wrapped up her work.

As Lydia stacked books on the desk, she noticed Zinnia stealing glances. With a soft smile, she asked, “What’s up? Got something on your mind?”

Zinnia took a deep breath, fidgeting before blurting, “I need to tell you something important.”

Sensing the gravity in Zinnia’s hesitation, Eydia sat beside her and said, “You can share anything, no filters. If you need help or want something, just say the word. With me, there’s no need to hold back.”

Zinnia turned, steeling herself. “I think I found a lead on your dad.”

After filling Lydia in on everything–including her and Yannis‘ theories–Zinnia asked gently, “Would you want to meet him? I can ask Yannis to set it up.” She watched Lydia closely, who’d stayed silent since the first word.

Lydia’s face didn’t show much emotion. Her hands were clenched so tightly that her knuckles turned white. “Let me think about it,” she whispered.

She hadn’t seen her father since she was born. As far back as she could remember, her mother had been in a poor mental state.

The neighbors all said it was because of her father. After all, no one could bear to have their husband disappear just before they were about to give birth. Many said that he’d ditched them, that he’d just toyed with her mom’s feelings.

Years went by, and the guy never showed. Lydia didn’t have time to spare on him. She was swamped with school, taking care of her mom, and working to cover those sky–high medical bills.

She had always assumed he was dead. She’d never considered he might be in trouble too. But now, listening to Zinnia’s story, she was floored.

‘If he was really tangled up in that syndicate, if he was truly trapped there and couldn’t come back, not because he didn’t want to…‘ Lydia thought, having no clue what to do.

For years, she’d hated him, wished he were dead, and wished he’d suffer–how could he destroy Bonnie and vanish, leaving them to bear the pain?

But the reality was far from her darkest imaginings. She heard he’d lost a finger, that his body was scarred, that he’d lost his memory–remembering nothing except Bonnie’s name.

When Bonnie was still lucid and Lydia was a kid, Bonnie would hold her at night and talk about her dad.

she would often stare at Lydia’s eyes, touch them, and then burst

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got bangs and put on big, clunky black glasses. The

had also heard that he was a very skilled hacker. She remembered the hidden

felt. Knowing that man had suffered, she felt a tiny bit of satisfaction, but

Let me know when you’re ready to meet,” Zinnia

home?” Zinnia asked, noticing the car

and can’t cook for you tonight. He wants us to take you there–says their crispy fried

that Zinnia wouldn’t eat properly if she was home alone, he had the two

at home, but “business dinner” perked

got out of the car, Toby was already waiting at

nodded, followed him, and took

Perkins says once you’re in the private room, just dig in. No need to

“Got it.” Zinnia nodded.

*****

room was steps from the elevator. The server

the private room were only three people: Yannis, a fit middle–aged man in a tailored

died down as Zinnia appeared in the

Zinnia’s face, Quincy Hanover,

Yannis motioned her

walked to his

then to Quincy, “Mr. Hanover, this is my

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Chapter 445