Their Villain, The Mogul's Beloved

Watching the classmates all vie for her drawings, Zinnia readily agreed.

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Ethan’s eyes lit up with anticipation as he glanced at the half–finished sketch in Zinnia’s hands, already featuring about half their classmates. “So, who gets the one with all of us in it?” he asked.

“Hmm…” Zinnia paused, unsure who to give it to.

“How about we hang it in the classroom? Zinnia drew all of us–it’s perfect there,” someone in the crowd suggested.

After a moment’s thought, everyone nodded in agreement. Hanging it in the classroom was perfect- everyone could see it, and no one would feel left out over who got to keep it.

“Zinnia, what do you think?” Lydia asked, ignoring the others. It was Zinnia’s drawing, so the decision should be hers.

Her classmates chimed in, “Yeah, Zinnia, what do you think? If you don’t want to hang it, we won’t. It’s totally your call.”

“Of course I agree,” Zinnia replied, her fair and delicate face lighting up with a beaming smile.

The whole class burst into good–natured laughter.

After settling on where to hang the artwork, everyone scattered to their own business. Still, before leaving, each classmate reminded Zinnia, “Don’t forget our drawings!” Zinnia responded to each with a warm smile and assured them she wouldn’t forget.

Zinnia lowered her head and resumed working on the drawing. Now that it was going to be hung in th classroom, she took extra care with the details.

As Zinnia finished the drawing, a figure approached and cast a shadow over her work. Looking up, she saw it was Maisie. “Maisie?” she said.

Maisie looked at her hesitantly, words caught in her throat. “Zinnia…”

Noticing her hesitation, Zinnia asked gently, “Mm? Is there something I can help?”

Maisie, Zinnia couldn’t help but notice their classmates trying to act casual while eagerly watching their interaction–clearly, they all had

Maisie blurted out, unable to contain herself. “William’s organizing a performance this afternoon— we’re all dying

Zinnia playing the zither and

Maisie to ask if Zinnia would agree. After all, Ethan and a few others who’d seen her perform last time had made the

Oct 10

Chapter 463

here,” Zinnia said, not refusing the request. It wasn’t a big deal to

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as she squeezed through the crowd and dashed over to Zinnia. “I’ve

Rosalind asked eagerly, beckoning to the people just outside

carefully carrying a zither in its protective case. They

laugh at their antics–everything was already set up, just waiting for her nod. “So you guys planned

to hear you play the zither for us in person–otherwise, Ethan will never

“Like I even

all want to hear you.” With her shoulder–length curly hair topped with a cute

give in.” Zinnia surrendered helplessly. She was completely defenseless against someone acting so sweet and cute with her–especially an adorable, well–behaved girl like Rosalind. Usually the one being pampered, now faced with those

the best,”

each other. With a gentle voice, Lydia said,

agreed with a

Zinnia was occupied, Rosalind stopped pestering her. Still, she couldn’t shake the feeling of a chill creeping up

her, Rosalind complained, “Joseph, can you turn up the heat?

this morning, didn’t I? Now you know what cold feels like,” Joseph said, shooting Rosalind a cool stare as she

to her, then strode over to the thermostat and turned up the heat

I just won’t. Serves you right,” Rosalind huffed, but her hands still obediently tugged Joseph’s jacket tighter around herself. Though the classroom heating was on full blast, she couldn’t figure out why she’d suddenly felt a chill–though now, it

15:16 Fri, Oct 10

Chapter 463

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