Come in 161
Posted on July 08, 2025 ยท 0 mins read
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Chapter 161

Adrian gently led Lysander closer, and the three of them sat down facing each other. โ€œZinnia, hereโ€™s the menu. See what youโ€™d like,โ€ Adrian said, sliding it over to her.

They hadnโ€™t expected their guest to be such a young girl. Had they known, they wouldnโ€™t have chosen to meet at a club. They werenโ€™t accustomed to dealing with someone her age. Theyโ€™d never had a girl in the family before; seeing someone as young as Zinnia, they honestly didnโ€™t know what to do.

โ€œIโ€™m good, I actually have something to do later,โ€ Zinnia said, quickly producing a bottle from her bag and placing it on the table. โ€œLysander, this is the medicine my master made for you.โ€ She was eager to return to Maisie.

โ€œWe trust the medicine made by Mr. M,โ€ Lysander replied with a gentle smile.

After ordering pastries, Adrian put down the menu, holding a fancy box. He offered a small gift of thanks. โ€œYouโ€™ve already paid my master,โ€ Zinnia said.

โ€œThat was for Mr. M, and this is for you, Zinnia,โ€ Adrian explained. โ€œYou made a special trip to bring the medicine. This is our way of saying thanks.โ€

Zinnia, knowing the gift probably didnโ€™t mean much to them, didnโ€™t refuse. โ€œIโ€™ll take my leave then,โ€ she said. Maisie would worry if she didnโ€™t hurry back.

โ€œWait a second, Zinnia,โ€ Adrian said. โ€œI already ordered pastries. Iโ€™ll have them packed for you. Theyโ€™re all handmade and delicious; Iโ€™m sure youโ€™ll love them.โ€

Hearing she was leaving, both Lysander and Adrian felt a sudden sadness. Adrian quickly stood, stopping her while signaling the waiter to pack some pastries.

Zinnia said, โ€œNo, thanks.โ€

โ€œZinnia, these pastries are rare and delicious,โ€ Lysander said kindly. โ€œIf you need to go, I wonโ€™t hold you, but please take them. Theyโ€™ll be packed quickly.โ€

โ€œYour master trusted us to care for you and told us how much you love soft, chewy pastries,โ€ Lysander added, looking at Zinnia with gentle eyes.

She felt genuine kindness from him. โ€œThank you,โ€ Zinnia said.

Adrian had already begun arranging everything, so Zinnia couldnโ€™t leave. She thought, โ€˜I didnโ€™t expect Master to tell them so much. They even know I love pastries. It seems Master truly trusted them.โ€™

Adrian soon returned, carrying several beautifully packed boxes of pastries. โ€œZinnia, are you going home? We can arrange a ride for you,โ€ he said as he approached.

Zinnia politely replied, โ€œNo need. Iโ€™m meeting friends at the mall.โ€

โ€œAdrian, walk Zinnia out,โ€ Lysander instructed.

โ€œLysander, thereโ€™s really no need,โ€ Zinnia said politely, not wanting to trouble them.

โ€œItโ€™s no trouble at all. Let me walk you out,โ€ Adrian offered. For some reason, he wanted to spend more time with Zinnia. Even he found this urge perplexing.

โ€œGrandpa, wait for me here. Iโ€™ll be right back,โ€ Adrian said, turning to his grandfather.

Lysander gave Zinnia one last long look. โ€œZinnia, why not add Adrian on Facebook? Mr. M asked us to look after you. Weโ€™ll be in Jington for the next six months. If you need anything, you can always ask him.โ€

Adrian had already taken out his phone. Since they were the people Master trusted, Zinnia felt she had no choice but to comply. She thought, They are the backup Master set up for me.

โ€œIf they can reach Master, heโ€™ll definitely worry if I donโ€™t add them,โ€ she reasoned, adding him. As Adrian looked at her profile picture, a small smile appeared on his face.

Zinnia walked out with Adrian. Lysander watched from behind, his wise eyes fixed on Zinnia. โ€˜How could her eyes look so much like my sonโ€™s?โ€™ he wondered.

Outside the club, Zinnia stopped. โ€œI can handle the rest myself.โ€

โ€œAlright, Zinnia. Donโ€™t hesitate to reach out if you need anything,โ€ Adrian said, handing her the box.

โ€œOkay,โ€ Zinnia replied, taking the box. Adrian watched her disappear into the mall, then returned to the club. Lysander remained seated, his gaze lingering on the empty chair.

โ€œDid you see her off?โ€ Lysander asked.

Adrian nodded. โ€œYeah, I only came back after seeing her go into the mall.โ€ He added, with a teasing smile, โ€œGrandpa, do you have a soft spot for Zinnia?โ€

โ€œDonโ€™t you think she looks a bit familiar?โ€ Lysander asked, taking a sip of his coffee.

โ€œGrandpa,โ€ Adrian said, โ€œMr. M told you to cut back on coffee.โ€

Adrian quickly stepped forward and gently took the coffee away, unsure why Lysander had said that.

โ€œIโ€™m dying, and this is the only pleasure I have left! You wonโ€™t even let me drink it?โ€ Lysander grumbled, glaring at his grandson.

โ€œOnce youโ€™re fully better, you can drink as much as you want,โ€ Adrian said firmly. โ€œYou just got out of the hospital, so I need to watch you.โ€

โ€œAdrian, donโ€™t you feel something strange about that girl?โ€ Adrian looked at him helplessly, then sighed, โ€œI should never have brought you back with me. Now I canโ€™t even enjoy a good cup of coffee.โ€

Adrian turned to face him. โ€œGrandpa, you feel it too?โ€

Lysander said, โ€œZinniaโ€™s eyes are very much like yours.โ€ Both had that slight upward curve at the outer corners.

โ€œGrandpa, my parents only had me. If Mom finds out Dad cheated, heโ€™ll come crying to you,โ€ Adrian teased.

Lysanderโ€™s face darkened, his tone losing its gentleness. โ€œMaybe you should get your head checked.โ€

โ€œWait, are you saying sheโ€™s Uncle Galenโ€™s daughter? But heโ€™s never even been married. How could he have a kid?โ€ Adrian blurted out, surprised.

Lysander sighed. โ€œRemember heโ€™s a playboy? If Zinnia really is the child from his reckless youth, then our whole family failed her.โ€

Lysanderโ€™s instincts were always accurate. He knew Zinnia had to be part of the family.

Adrian fell silent, thinking back over ten years to when his uncle was known as a notorious playboy. Heโ€™d cleaned up his act after some troubleโ€ฆbut with all his past flings, maybe he had left a child behind.

After meeting Zinnia, that strange feeling of familiarity made it seem plausible. โ€œLook into her background. Better to check than miss this chance,โ€ Lysander said.

They never had a girl in the family. โ€˜If only she really belonged to the family,โ€™ he thought wistfully.

โ€œIโ€™ll look into it,โ€ Adrian agreed, feeling excited inside.


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