Come in 196
Posted on July 08, 2025 ยท 0 mins read
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Chapter 196

Zinniaโ€™s transfer to Evershine High dramatically altered her living environment, significantly impacting her. Her academic performance was a concern, but her emotional well-being was paramount. At only seventeen, most girls would be overwhelmed, yet she maintained high scores in reading, writing, and languageโ€”a testament to her hard work. Science, however, remained a challenge, requiring sustained effort to catch up.

โ€œYannis,โ€ Zinnia asked, โ€œif you donโ€™t care about my grades, why did you ask if I had anything to tell you after I returned?โ€

After spending time with Yannis, Zinnia could discern his seriousness. Knowing he didn't care about her grades, she shed her guilt and brightened. Staring at him, she mused, โ€œHe seems unaware that I failed or snuck snacks, but his reaction suggests otherwise. Why?โ€

โ€œWonโ€™t you have a parent-teacher meeting?โ€ Yannis inquired. Having attended Evershine High, he was familiar with its policies.

โ€œYes, we will,โ€ Zinnia replied, puzzled.

โ€œWho are you planning to invite as your guardian?โ€ Yannis asked, his gaze fixed on her. He thought, โ€œShe seems carefree. Has she already chosen someone?โ€

โ€œMom, of course,โ€ Zinnia answered.

Yannis thought, โ€œOh, right. I forgot Yvette is her mother now.โ€ He raised an eyebrow. โ€œDo you think she can cover for both you and Maisie?โ€

โ€œWhy not? Maisie and I are family,โ€ Zinnia said, confused.

Yannis, expression unchanged, replied, โ€œEven so, she canโ€™t appear as the parent of both of you. Do you think she can handle both your situations simultaneously? What if she gets things mixed up?โ€

โ€œIf not, Iโ€™ll ask Charlie for help,โ€ Zinnia said. Unfamiliar with Evershine High's rules, she found his words sensible given his serious demeanor. She thought, โ€œThe meeting will be long. If Mom hears about both me and Maisie, sheโ€™ll be overwhelmed. Does Charlie have time? I should check with him later.โ€

Yannis said, โ€œCharlie has been busy lately.โ€ He thought, โ€œI canโ€™t believe her first thought was to turn to the Lynn family.โ€

โ€œMaybe I should check with Jackson,โ€ Zinnia said, though aware of his likely commitments.

Yannis said, โ€œJackson has also been busy lately. Heโ€™s running around like a headless chicken.โ€

Chapter 196

โ€œWellโ€ฆโ€ Zinnia decided against bothering Jackson. She thought, โ€œMaybe I should ask Grandma and Grandpa.โ€

Yannis said, โ€œYour grandparents are getting on in years. Parent-teacher meetings can be long, and sitting for that long could affect their health.โ€

Zinnia thought helplessly, โ€œNow thereโ€™s really no one I can ask. Even Master isnโ€™t here.โ€

โ€œHow about Perry?โ€ Zinnia asked. She considered him due to his friendship with Yannis and his suitability for the meeting.

Yannis said, โ€œPerry is busy with some messy family business. He doesnโ€™t have time for you.โ€ He wryly thought, โ€œShe even considered Perry. How could she not think of me? Iโ€™m a perfect option right in front of her.โ€

โ€œYannis, do you have any suggestions? Even Toby would do,โ€ Zinnia pleaded.

All her options were exhausted. She thought, โ€œIf no one can make it, Iโ€™ll just have to represent my guardian myself.โ€

Yannis replied, โ€œToby is busy with work.โ€ He thought helplessly, โ€œGreat. She even thought of Toby, but I never crossed her mind.โ€

โ€œIf it really comes to that, could you go for me, Yannis?โ€ Zinnia asked.

Observing Yannis dismiss every suggestion, Zinnia wondered about his seemingly intimate knowledge of everyoneโ€™s schedule. Feeling hopeless, she thought, โ€œIf Yannis doesnโ€™t have time, I might ask Benedict for help.โ€

โ€œAlright. Friday afternoon, right?โ€ Yannis replied.

โ€œYes.โ€ Zinnia studied him, sensing he awaited her invitation.

โ€œWhat are you looking at?โ€ Yannis asked, suddenly realizing his hasty agreement. Awkwardness flickered across his face.

โ€œYannis, were you just waiting for me to invite you to attend my parent-teacher meeting? Arenโ€™t you busy? My other brothers are occupied, and you just got back from overseas. Shouldnโ€™t you be even busier?โ€ Zinnia asked.

Zinniaโ€™s certainty grew. She had considered inviting him, but his current workload seemed insurmountable. He'd been at a party the previous day, and she'd overheard comments about his demanding schedule at the peak of his career. The meeting would consume almost an entire afternoon, so sheโ€™d hesitated to bother him. She often saw his study light on late at night, further reinforcing her reluctance to impose. Most importantly, she knew he disliked being disturbed and didn't want to appear as a constant source of trouble, especially after already asking him for so much. For something so minor, she deemed it unnecessary. Therefore, she was extremely surprised by his swift agreement, as if heโ€™d rehearsed it countless times, merely awaiting her request.

Chapter 196

โ€œWasnโ€™t this your invitation? Now that youโ€™ve asked, how could I possibly say no? Tell me, have I ever turned you down before?โ€ Yannis asked.

Sensing Zinnia's increasing perceptiveness, Yannis straightened and adopted a serious expression.

Zinnia said, โ€œYannis, if youโ€™re busy, I can ask Benedict instead.โ€

โ€œDonโ€™t worry. Iโ€™ll attend your parent-teacher meeting, even if I have to make time for it,โ€ Yannis said, pointedly ignoring her alternative suggestion as he stood to clear the dishes.

โ€œYannis, you were just waiting for me to invite you, werenโ€™t you?โ€ Zinnia pressed.

Yannis ignored her, extending a hand. โ€œPass me the plate.โ€

โ€œYannis, if you wanted to attend my parent-teacher meeting, you could have just said so. Why beat around the bush and make me so anxious?โ€ Zinnia said.

Zinnia handed him the plate, momentarily speechless as his silence revealed his true intentions. She thought, โ€œHoly crap! He beat around the bush just to get me to invite him. I see right through him now.โ€

Zinnia glared angrily. โ€œSuch a sly businessman. He always plays mind games. He couldโ€™ve just told me. God, he scared me so much. I confessed everything, even about secretly eating snacks.โ€

Yannis raised an eyebrow. โ€œYou did something wrong and confessed without my questioning. Now youโ€™re blaming me?โ€ He thought, โ€œShe always twists the blame. Now I become the villain just for teasing her.โ€

Zinnia huffed.

โ€œAlright. My bad. I promise I wonโ€™t tease you again,โ€ Yannis apologized, smiling. Her carefree spirit was infectious; watching her made it impossible for him not to smile.


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