"Thanks for helping me last time," Zinnia said.

She remembered when Maelis hit her at the Bacon mansion, and after she fell to the ground, it was Adrian who helped her up. Later, when Maelis tried to hit her again, Adrian stood in front to protect her.

Zinnia wanted to thank Adrian back then, but he had left without her noticing, and she couldn’t find him.

"You're welcome," Adrian smiled. Seeing her glance behind him, he said softly, "Zinnia, you should go eat now. See you next time."

"Okay." Zinnia was thinking about Sofia and the others.

Adrian stayed behind and watched her walk away. During this time, he had looked into Zinnia's past.

Zinnia was seventeen years old, born on July 28th. Because she had been switched at birth, she grew up in a small town, cared for all these years by her master.

In May, the Shaw family took her back. Later, when she wanted to leave the Shaw residence because things weren't going well, Jackson brought her to the Lynn residence. After that, several things happened one after another. Now she lived with Yannis in Cloud Harbor.

A thoughtful look flashed through Adrian's eyes. He planned to go back and question Galen about when exactly he was tricked. He vaguely remembered it happened eighteen years ago, but no one knew the exact time or month.

Seeing Zinnia brought Adrian a strange kind of joy. Human feelings were a strange thing–sometimes people felt an unexplained liking for someone they met for the first time.

Everyone ate together in a lively, cheerful mood.

"Zinnia, remember I'll always have your back," Sofia said. "If anyone ever treats you badly, just tell me. My home is always your home."

After dinner, night had already fallen outside, and the city lights were glowing. The group walked downstairs, Sofia holding Zinnia’s hand tightly.

It was a good day, and Sofia had drunk nearly half a glass of red wine. After drinking, she couldn't help but be a little talkative, her words full of care and tenderness for Zinnia.

Because Zinnia had suffered so much, Sofia felt sorry for her.

"Okay, Sofia," Zinnia smiled and agreed.

They took the elevator down. Just as they reached the lobby, a sharp voice cut through the air. "Let me in."

Everyone turned toward the sound. Maelis was stumbling in high heels, trying to rush into the lobby.

But the security guards stopped her. She had caused trouble once already that afternoon. Now she stood at the door, glaring at Sofia and the others with angry eyes.

No one expected Maelis to still be here. It was almost eight o'clock at night.

Maelis wasn't allowed inside. Since autumn had come, the weather was getting colder day by day. She wore only a pink dress with bare arms, shivering slightly.

Her hair was messy from the wind, and her eyes were bloodshot, though it wasn't clear if it was from the wind or the cold.

Her face looked worn out–the fullness and glow she once had was gone, her cheeks sunken, and she had lost a lot of weight, making her seem years older all at once. For a moment, Sofia almost didn't recognize Maelis.

Once backed by the Lynn family, Maelis had everything. Compared to her supposed age in her fifties, she looked more like she was in her thirties or forties.

Now, in just over half a month, Maelis looked completely worn down.

Before, she always dressed carefully wherever she went. Now, maybe from stress, she didn’t care to dress up anymore.

Except for Jackson and Zinnia, everyone else was surprised to see Maelis.

"That's my mom. Let me in! Look, there she is," Maelis shouted angrily at the guards blocking her. Her voice was sharp and harsh, nothing like the gentle tone she used before.

Her gaze was full of resentment, as if the whole world had wronged her.

Even though Maelis was already a very lucky person–raised spoiled and pampered by the Lynn family, with Henry and Sofia giving her anything she wanted–she was never satisfied.

Noticing that Sofia and the others were watching her, Maelis's voice grew even sharper. She pushed the security guard in front of her, her expression fierce and full of disdain.

"Mr. Lynn, this lady has been making a fuss, insisting on seeing you," the waiter said, walking over to Jackson and the others to explain.

Jackson's expression turned cold. He didn't want Sofia and Zinnia to have contact with Maelis.

Actually, Donald and Yosef had both come to see Jackson in the past few days, but were stopped by security. Now it seemed they gave up and sent Maelis instead.

Jackson didn't make the decision himself; he looked at Sofia. "Grandma…"

"Let her in. I need to clear things up with her and cut everything off for good," Sofia said, her emotions complicated as she looked at Maelis.

"Please help us find a quiet private room," Jackson said to the waiter.

"Okay, please follow me," the waiter said, leading them around the corner.

"Zinnia, if you don't want to see Maelis, you can go home with Yannis first," Jackson said gently, glancing at Zinnia.

Judging by Maelis's state, talking to her wouldn't be easy. And if Maelis kept hurting Sofia again and again, Jackson wouldn't let her or her family off easily.

Sofia had things she really needed to discuss with Maelis.

After all, Sofia had raised Maelis for decades–she couldn't have no feelings for her. Seeing Maelis so worn out probably made Sofia a bit sad.

Yvette and the others had to leave earlier after dinner because of some business.

Yannis and Zinnia lived at Cloud Harbor, which was close–just a twenty–minute drive–so they weren’t in a rush to leave.

Seeing Maelis there, Jackson worried she might hurt Zinnia again, so he wanted Zinnia and Yannis to leave first.

"That's right. Zinnia, you should go home first," Sofia said. "I'll be leaving soon too."

Thinking about Maelis's hatred toward Zinnia, Sofia worried Maelis would say something mean when she saw her.

Actually, Maelis had been coming to the Lynn residence a lot recently, or calling them, but Sofia and Henry hadn't seen her or answered.

Maelis had really hurt Sofia and Henry’s hearts. These days they had steeled themselves not to respond.

Zinnia glanced at Maelis outside, then back at Sofia and the others, and didn’t refuse.

Maelis hated Zinnia. If Zinnia and Sofia saw her together, Maelis's emotions would only get crazier.

Jackson helped Sofia, and the group turned and headed to the nearby private room. Zinnia and Yannis walked toward the elevator.

Maelis saw Zinnia and Yannis leave and glared fiercely at their backs.

"Are you worried?" Yannis asked, noticing Zinnia kept looking back as they walked.

"Yes," Zinnia admitted. She was worried Maelis might upset Sofia.

"Then we won't leave," Yannis said, grabbing her hand and turning back into the lobby.

Sofia and the others went into the private room next door.

“Why are you treating me like this?” Maelis still had some control left; she hadn’t caused a scene outside. But the moment she was indoors, she couldn't hide her emotions anymore and burst out with an angry, sharp voice.

Hearing her accuse them right away, Sofia's heart skipped a beat in frustration.

"Don't you know why we're doing this?" Sofia said. "We're just taking back what we gave you."

Actually, Sofia still felt a bit sad facing Maelis like this. She had hoped that after everything Maelis had been through, she'd calm down and realize her mistakes. But now it seemed Sofia's expectations were too high.

Maelis was completely filled with hatred for the Lynn family.

What surprised Sofia was how wild Maelis's eyes got after hearing her words. "Who gave you the right to take it back? You gave it all to me; why take it away now?"

"Do you know what I've been through because of what you did? I'm your daughter, how can you treat me like this?" She didn't stop there, her hateful gaze fixed fiercely on Sofia and Henry.

"Let me remind you, Mrs. Shaw, you are not one of our family," Jackson said coldly to the raging Maelis.

He had hoped Maelis would have some sense by now, but after all these days, she showed no sign of change. She still acted like she had power in the Lynn family.

Sofia was willing to meet Maelis only because she had raised her for so many years. But today's outburst had completely worn away Sofia's feelings for her.

"How could you say so? You raised me for decades–how can you just decide you don't want me now? If you raised me, you owe me for life. You have to support me for life," Maelis said, her hateful eyes turning toward Jackson.

She believed if it weren't for what Jackson had done, she wouldn't have ended up like this.

"And you, Jackson, you cruel and wicked bastard. Treating our family like this will bring you karma," Maelis said, her eyes bloodshot as she glared at him, thinking about all the trouble that started when Jackson pulled out his investment.

Isaac said, "Mrs. Shaw, Jackson hasn't done anything wrong. How would he get karma?"

"I've never seen someone as shameless as you. Do you think you're still a kid? Why do you think my grandparents have to take care of you forever? Are you stupid?" Isaac let out a mocking laugh.

"Who do you think you are, talking to me like that?" Maelis got furious, her face red, and she raised her hand to hit Isaac.

"He's my grandson, and I won't let an outsider hit him," Sofia grabbed Maelis's hand and sharply pulled it away. Her eyes showed nothing but coldness toward Maelis.

Maelis stumbled back a couple of steps, disbelief all over her face. "Mom, you say I'm an outsider?"

"That's right," Sofia said. "You're no longer part of this family. If you keep causing trouble, the Shaw family won't end well."

Sofia was completely disappointed in Maelis now, her tone icy. She had been tough and decisive when she was young and never hesitated to cut ties when necessary. Maelis was beyond saving.

"Mom!" Maelis shouted, her eyes red as she took a step forward to grab Sofia's clothes.

"Maelis, if you're crazy, go to a mental hospital. We owe you nothing. If you keep this up, the Shaw family might just disappear," Henry shouted sharply.

Henry's expression turned cold. His gaze on Maelis was indifferent; in his heart, the familial ties had long since broken.

Henry's words made Maelis tremble. Then she screamed, "You can't do this."

"If talking to her doesn't work, then stop. From now on, we won't care about her. And you all remember, don't get involved at all." In her heart, her face cold, she spoke to Jackson, Charlie, and Isaac.

Today, Sofia was a little softer. For decades, she had treated Maelis like a daughter, but now she was utterly disappointed.

"Let's go," Sofia said, supporting Henry and calling Jackson, Charlie, and Isaac to leave together.

From now on, they would never see Maelis again.

Maelis shouted, "Just because of Zinnia, you treat me like this? Did she cast a spell on you? You're all fooled by her. She's only getting close to you to climb up to other powerful families. Now she's hooked up with Yannis.

"She's just a liar. I'm going to find her right now and make her face you. She's definitely up to tricks. You're all blinded by her?"

Seeing Sofia and the others try to leave, Maelis hurried forward to block them. She felt like Zinnia had ruined everything she had. She wanted to find Zinnia and make her give back everything that should’ve been hers.

Maelis went on, "I never should’ve taken her back. I should’ve let her spend her whole life in that small town. Then my life would’ve been fine. It’s all her fault, everything."

“No, I should’ve just strangled her when she was born. Then none of this would’ve happened."

In front of Sofia and the others, Maelis didn’t hide her hatred for Zinnia at all. Everyone in the Lynn family's faces darkened after hearing her words.

Jackson frowned, his gaze fixed on the unstable Maelis.

"Charlie, Isaac, watch over grandma and grandpa," Jackson ordered calmly.

"It is her fault. Didn’t she say she was strangled back then? I should’ve strangled her," Maelis said crazily.

"Maelis, you still think it's all Zinnia's fault, right?" Jackson looked down, eyes sharp.

Then he turned to Maelis. "Maelis, there are some things you need to know. Look carefully at who caused all your pain."

Jackson pulled out his phone. The image on the screen made Maelis's eyes snap wide open. She saw the video Zinnia had sent Jackson before–Donald and Jenny tangled up together.

Jackson had gotten the surveillance footage.

"Donald…" Jenny's sweet voice came from the phone. Maelis felt a wave of deep unease.

Then she heard Donald's very familiar voice, "Jenny-"

The two on the screen were tightly wrapped around each other, inseparable. Donald even slipped his hand inside Jenny's collar.

The scene made Maelis so furious it felt like her blood was boiling. She couldn't believe Donald had cheated. No wonder he hadn't touched her in all these years.

Since Maelis had Zinnia, she and Donald hadn't had sex. Donald said he was no longer able to have sex, but Maelis, out of love, never blamed him.

As she got older, she stopped thinking about sex altogether. But she never expected Donald to cheat behind her back.

She thought about how lately Donald had been coming home later and later, always smelling like some stranger’s perfume. He lied, saying it was from work events.

Maelis's face went as pale as paper. Her fists clenched tightly, nails digging into her palms, and she bit her lips until they bled. But the next words from the video made her dizzy again.

Chapter 214

"Donald, thanks to you," Jenny said. "Otherwise, our Betty wouldn't be living the life she has now."