Chapter 186

Meanwhile, a waiter approached Zinnia with a woolen shawl. Zinnia looked at him, confused. Maisie, also confused, asked, “Zinnia, are you cold?”

“I’m not cold,” Zinnia replied, shaking her head. Nevertheless, she accepted the shawl, and for some reason, her eyes drifted toward Yannis. As she looked at him, he indicated his own shoulder. Confused, Zinnia examined her shoulder but found nothing amiss. She tilted her head.

Yannis sighed helplessly and said, “Put it on, Zinnia.”

Zinnia read his lips, unfolded the shawl, and draped it over her shoulders. She had changed for lunch and wore a mint-blue satin gown with a square neckline that showcased her delicate collarbones. Yannis finally looked away, but several sharp-eyed observers noted their quiet exchange. Looking at the forlorn Shaw family nearby, they sighed, “Good girls never stay in a house that doesn’t value them.”

“Ah, so it’s you, Yannis. Who knew you could be so thoughtful,” Maisie remarked, noticing his gesture. Isaac looked around and said, “Honestly, it’s not even cold here.”

It was growing cold outside, but the air conditioning kept the interior comfortable. Ethan leaned in to whisper, “The Moore family’s secret partnership files were leaked last night. They were already struggling, and this only worsened things. Still hoping for a piece of their success? Honestly, they’re about to be broken up.”

Isaac added, “The MZ Group is aggressively targeting the Moore family with harsh business tactics. No one knows if the Moores did something to provoke them, but MZ seems determined to take them over.”

“If the Moores seek help, neither the Lynns nor the Perkinses will assist, meaning no one in Jinston will help. The Moore family is finished.” “They sent Neo back hoping he’d remain quiet, but he ran straight into you two—the toughest to handle. They’re done for,” Isaac stated, familiar with their circle.

Isaac mused, ‘I heard Neo tried to provoke Zinnia. If I’d been there, I would have beaten him up.’

“Serves them right,” Maisie declared bluntly. “If they’d targeted anyone else but Zinnia and me, they might have gotten away with it.”

“Data leak?” Brian asked, raising an eyebrow, clearly intrigued. Ethan leaned closer and lowered his voice. “Yeah, I heard about a sudden data leak early last night. The Moore family was caught completely off guard. By morning, the damage was done.”

He continued, “The MZ Group has been eyeing a Moore family takeover for some time, and their current leader is rather incompetent. If the Moore family can’t overcome this, their renowned legacy will crumble. Life can change so rapidly.”

“The MZ Group is a real dark horse. They used to be quiet in Mealinia, barely making a ripple. But a year ago, they exploded onto the scene and began dominating the market. Who knows how far they’ll go? It’s rather frightening.”

Maisie had heard of the MZ Group. Recently, her father traveled abroad to meet with them. His assessment: “The people backing the MZ Group are incredibly powerful.”

“So that’s the girl you’ve taken under your wing?” Devin said, noticing Yannis’s considerate action. Devin’s lips curved into a smile.

Chapter 186

He had arrived only three minutes before Yannis, so he hadn’t formally met Zinnia. “What brings you here?” Yannis inquired, glancing at him. “With your hectic travel schedule, no one would mind if you skipped this party.”

“Since you’re never home, Layla and I can’t see you. We came to find you,” Devin explained. “If our little brother won’t come to us, we’ll have to find him ourselves.”

Yannis appeared annoyed. Devin still treated him like a child. He thought, ‘Did they really have to follow me everywhere?’ Ignoring Devin, he turned to Jackson and said with a smile, “Jackson, Zinnia has really blossomed.”

Devin and Jackson were close in age and well acquainted. Since Yannis was fond of Zinnia, Devin felt it was appropriate to be friendly with her family. Devin thought, ‘Plus, Zinnia really helps Yannis sleep better. She’s a treasure. No way we’re letting her go. A friend’s sister is like family, so she’s practically one of us now.’

Lunch commenced. While some younger guests, like Zinnia and her friends, who weren’t interested in family dynamics, focused on eating, most others barely touched their food. Zinnia hadn’t eaten much, feeling overwhelmed by the crowded room. After informing Maisie, she slipped out for some fresh air—Maisie was engrossed in conversation and couldn’t accompany her.

Isaac was engaged in conversation, and several guests attempted to speak with Zinnia. Feeling overwhelmed by the social interactions, she decided to leave and find a quieter spot.

When Zinnia reached the entrance, a waiter politely asked, “Miss, may I assist you?”

“I’d like to go somewhere quiet,” Zinnia replied. She was directed to the garden. After sending Maisie her location, she discreetly left—but some observant eyes noticed her departure.

Yannis took a sip of wine and looked back at her seat—only to discover she was gone. He frowned, slightly worried. ‘Where did she go?’ he wondered.

Maelis watched Zinnia until she disappeared from the hall. “I’m going to the restroom,” she said casually before leaving. Timothy and Howard paid little attention; they were occupied with their own conversations.

Zinnia found a secluded spot in the garden and sat at a table with some small cakes. She ate one slowly, waiting for Jackson so they could leave together, though she was uncertain how long the party would last.

With nothing else to do, she took out her phone and began watching a show. A message appeared from Lydia: [Want anything to eat at school? I’m going grocery shopping this afternoon.]

Zinnia’s face brightened at Lydia’s message. She replied: [I want mango juice!]

Lydia: [Got it.]

Zinnia: [Lydia, isn’t it almost time for your monthly visit to your mom?]

Zinnia considered Lydia’s ailing mother. The monthly visit was after a week of classes. She wondered, ‘Exactly when will Lydia visit her mom?’

Lydia: [Yeah, next Saturday.]

Zinnia: [Great, I’ll go with you to see your mom this Saturday.]

Zinnia reflected on the time. ‘Lydia’s always been so kind to me. Maybe I can help her mom somehow,’ she thought.

TO Dal, 14 Jun

Chapter 186

Zinnia was chatting quietly with Lydia, earbuds in, watching a TV drama. Suddenly, footsteps sounded behind her, followed by a sharp gust of wind from a palm strike.