Chapter 237
Zinnia and Lydia spent the afternoon plowing through problems until Zinnia finally wrapped up her work. As Lydia stacked books on the desk, she noticed Zinnia stealing glances. With a soft smile, she asked, “What’s up? Got something on your mind?”
Zinnia took a deep breath, fidgeting before blurting, “I need to tell you something important.”
Sensing the gravity in Zinnia’s hesitation, Lydia sat beside her and said, “You can share anything, no filters. If you need help or want something, just say the word. With me, there’s no need to hold back.”
Zinnia turned, steeling herself. “I think I found a lead on your dad.”
After filling Lydia in on everything–including her and Yannis’ theories–Zinnia asked gently, “Would you want to meet him? I can ask Yannis to set it up.” She watched Lydia closely, who’d stayed silent since the first word.
Lydia’s face didn’t show much emotion. Her hands were clenched so tightly that her knuckles turned white. “Let me think about it,” she whispered.
She hadn’t seen her father since she was born. As far back as she could remember, her mother had been in a poor mental state. The neighbors all said it was because of her father. After all, no one could bear to have their husband disappear just before they were about to give birth. Many said that he’d ditched them, that he’d just toyed with her mom’s feelings.
Years went by, and the guy never showed. Lydia didn’t have time to spare on him. She was swamped with school, taking care of her mom, and working to cover those sky-high medical bills.
She had always assumed he was dead. She’d never considered he might be in trouble too. But now, listening to Zinnia’s story, she was floored.
‘If he was really tangled up in that syndicate, if he was truly trapped there and couldn’t come back, not because he didn’t want to…’ Lydia thought, having no clue what to do.
For years, she’d hated him, wished he were dead, and wished he’d suffer–how could he destroy Bonnie and vanish, leaving them to bear the pain?
But the reality was far from her darkest imaginings. She heard he’d lost a finger, that his body was scarred, that he’d lost his memory–remembering nothing except Bonnie’s name.
When Bonnie was still lucid and Lydia was a kid, Bonnie would hold her at night and talk about her dad.
Lydia had heard that her eyes were very similar to her father’s. When Bonnie lost control, she would often stare at Lydia’s eyes, touch them, and then burst into tears. “Why do you and your father have such similar eyes? Why?”
Feeling Bonnie’s disgust and breakdown over her eyes, Lydia got bangs and put on big, clunky black glasses. The glasses covered most of her eyes, making her look less like that man.
Lydia had also heard that he was a very skilled hacker. She remembered the hidden books in the study–her first teachers.
All these thoughts swirled, and Lydia couldn’t name what she felt. Knowing that man had suffered, she felt a tiny bit of satisfaction, but no happiness, not even the slightest bit of joy.
“Take your time, Lydia. Let me know when you’re ready to meet,” Zinnia said softly.
Chapter 251
“Aren’t we going home?” Zinnia asked, noticing the car wasn’t heading toward Cloud Harbor.
Emily in the passenger seat replied, “Mr. Perkins has a business dinner and can’t cook for you tonight. He wants us to take you there–says their crispy fried chicken is killer.”
The dinner was quite important, and Yannis wouldn’t be able to come home for a while. Worried that Zinnia wouldn’t eat properly if she was home alone, he had the two bodyguards take her over.
“Okay,” Zinnia replied. She almost said she’d eat at home, but “business dinner” perked her up–those always have the best food.
The car drove smoothly all the way. When the three of them got out of the car, Toby was already waiting at the entrance. He walked over and said, “Ms. Shaw, Mr. Perkins asked me to escort you up.”
Zinnia nodded, followed him, and took the elevator upstairs.
In the elevator, Toby said, “Mr. Perkins says once you’re in the private room, just dig in. No need to stress.”
“Got it.” Zinnia nodded.
The private room was steps from the elevator. The server knocked, waited, then pushed open the door.
Inside the private room were only three people: Yannis, a fit middle-aged man in a tailored suit–his sharp features and deep-set eyes hinted at faded handsomeness–and what looked like an assistant.
The chatter died down as Zinnia appeared in the doorway, all eyes turning to her.
Seeing Zinnia’s face, Quincy Hanover, the middle-aged man, looked surprised.
“Zinnia.” Yannis motioned her over.
Zinnia walked to his side.
“Zinnia, this is Mr. Quincy Hanover,” Yannis said, then to Quincy, “Mr. Hanover, this is my sister, Zinnia Shaw.”
Yannis’ voice snapped Quincy back to reality. He suppressed his shock and said, “Well, well, what a charming young lady. No wonder you didn’t want to leave her home, Mr. Perkins. If I had a sister this cute, I’d never relax either.”
“Hello, Mr. Hanover,” Zinnia greeted, her voice sweet.
Quincy nodded and smiled, his gaze warm and kind as his eyes subtly settled on Zinnia’s.
He thought, ‘Those eyes–just like my old friend’s. When did he have a daughter this old? Our families have a betrothal set–he wouldn’t ditch his kid to get out of it, would he?’
Zinnia felt his stare but sensed no harm, so she nodded politely.
Noticing Quincy’s gaze on Zinnia, Yannis cut in, “Mr. Hanover, why don’t we sit?”
“Alright. Have a seat too, Zinnia,” Quincy said. The more he studied her eyes, the more they mirrored his friend’s. His stern expression softened unconsciously as he took his chair.
Zinnia sat beside Yannis and eyed the table. There were many delicious-looking foods, and they indeed looked very tasty.
“Order whatever you want,” Yannis said gently.
Toby, who was standing behind Yannis, handed Zinnia a menu right away.
Throughout the dinner, Zinnia wolfed down her food, while Yannis and Quincy chatted business.
Yannis had been searching for a rare semiconductor material, and Hanover Group in Yinecrest specialized in it. When he heard Quincy was back in the country, he told Toby to set up this dinner.