Chapter 199

“Zinnia, let’s go,” said Maisie.

After Zinnia had lunch with Maisie and some other classmates, they enjoyed the afternoon outdoors before heading home. When Zinnia arrived, Yannis was cooking in the kitchen. Watching him, Zinnia felt a pang of guilt. She wondered what William had told Yannis.

The moment the grades were released, Zinnia was called into William’s office. William seriously asked her if she had any issues with her teachers and suggested talking them through. Zinnia felt embarrassed recalling this. She certainly wanted to do well, but her brain wouldn't cooperate. She simply couldn't master certain subjects.

William wouldn't have asked that question if Zinnia had performed averagely across all subjects. However, she excelled in language, reading, and writing. Her physics and chemistry teachers even consulted her language arts teachers, hoping to glean effective teaching strategies. Her history, social studies, and biology teachers worked overtime to create study guides for her, hoping to improve her grades in those areas.

William also analyzed Zinnia’s test paper. Even with Lydia’s help in predicting some questions, she only answered two correctly. Out of all the multiple-choice and fill-in-the-blank questions, she only got four right. William wondered if his teaching methods were flawed.

Yannis saw Zinnia's reflection in the glass door and turned to face her. “You’re back. Dinner’s ready.”

“Yannis, what did Mr. Baker say?” Zinnia studied his expression.

Yannis replied, “Nothing much. He just told me to pay more attention to your studies and asked about your future plans.”

Zinnia carefully studied his expression, which Yannis found amusing. He said, “Get ready for dinner.”

Zinnia sat down, and Yannis sat beside her—a change from their usual seating arrangement. As usual, the table held their customary three dishes and soup: coleslaw, salad, bacon, and tomato soup. Zinnia first chose some bacon, a dish she'd been craving since the previous night.

“Eat some greens as well,” Yannis said, placing vegetables on her plate.

“Yannis, how can you let this delicious meat touch these icky greens?” Zinnia exclaimed, pushing her plate away with a defiant look. She didn't mind most vegetables, but found these leafy greens utterly disgusting, even with Yannis's culinary skills.

Chapter 199 (Continued)

“I’ll make you some meat dishes tomorrow,” Yannis teased. He picked up his plate and moved his fork towards her mouth. Zinnia's plate held the bacon she loved, and she wanted to keep those greens far from it.

“Really?” Zinnia asked.

Zinnia wrinkled her nose at the greens, still finding them repulsive. However, the promise of more meat dishes the next day made the ordeal bearable. She barely chewed the greens before swallowing them and immediately filled her mouth with bacon. As the taste of meat filled her mouth, Zinnia felt relief.

“Yes, but you should eat at least three pieces of the greens.” Yannis nodded.

Zinnia absolutely detested leafy greens. Without Yannis's watchful eye, she wouldn't touch them. If forced to eat only what was before her—leafy greens—she'd rather eat bread and leave the greens untouched. But the doctor had advised her to eat more greens, so every day, Yannis tried to persuade her.

“You liar. You hadn’t said I had to eat three pieces.” Zinnia glared at Yannis, her bright, fierce eyes making her resemble a bristling hedgehog.

“But I didn’t say you could only have one piece,” Yannis teased, smiling as he enjoyed his food.

“But you never said it had to be three pieces,” Zinnia retorted.

Yannis replied, “I’ll cook fish for you tomorrow.”

“I want salmon,” Zinnia blurted out.

“But three pieces of greens,” Yannis said.

“Fine. Deal,” Zinnia grumbled, stuffing two more pieces of vegetables into her mouth.

They only had dinner together. At lunchtime, Zinnia usually ate at the school cafeteria or went out with Maisie. On weekends, unless she went out, Yannis had meals delivered.

“Zinnia, have you thought about which college you’d like to attend?” Yannis asked, offering her more bacon.

“With my grades, no way I’d get in.” Zinnia happily munched on her meat.

Zinnia wasn't one to stress over grades. In the worst-case scenario, she could return to her small town, grow herbs, treat patients, and tend her plants. Once her master returned, she would ask for his guidance.

Yannis recalled what Maisie had told Yvette. He glanced at Zinnia and asked, “I heard you want to go to Mealini. Why is that?”

“I just want to go out and look around.” Zinnia resumed eating as if nothing had happened.

She thought, I can’t very well say I suspect Master is in Mealinia. But he’s not the type to randomly ask if I want to go there without a reason. Her master had disappeared without a trace, and she had no leads. Zinnia suspected he might be in Mealinia, so she wanted to investigate.

Chapter 199 (Continued)

“Yannis, you should have some vegetables as well,” Zinnia said. She added, “Your cooking is amazing. You should eat more. You’re looking a bit thin. You’ve been working so hard lately. Don’t forget to take care of yourself. I’m hanging out with friends tomorrow, so I’ll skip going to the office with you. Your herbal kit needs replacing. I’ve used up the last batch. I’ll go prepare a new one in my room.”

Zinnia rattled off these sentences, leaving Yannis no chance to respond, before darting off.

Yannis silently observed her uneasy demeanor. He suspected the MZ Group was based in Mealinia. He recalled the MZ Group's inexplicable involvement in the Shaw family's affairs, and their immediate termination of the contract right after Zinnia left the Shaw family. Their partnership began precisely when Zinnia returned to the family; every incident since then seemed linked to her.

Yannis absently tapped his fingers on the tabletop. He hadn’t fully investigated, it was just a hunch. He couldn’t understand why Nathan sent Zinnia back to the Shaw family if he was truly behind the MZ Group.

Yannis thought, He raised Zinnia since she was a child. Their bond must run deep. Given how attached Zinnia is to him, they must have never been apart before. With this sudden departure, he must know how devastated Zinnia would be. But he still left. There must be more to this.

After more than a decade of decline and Jackson’s constant meddling, the Moore family is now a shadow of its former self. Nathan can easily handle them. But why would he be willing to leave Zinnia at home? Well, has something happened to Nathan? If that’s the case, what would become of Zinnia?