Come in 237
Posted on July 09, 2025 ยท 0 mins read
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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, โ€œWhatโ€™s up? Got something on your mind?โ€

Zinnia took a deep breath, fidgeting before blurting, โ€œI need to tell you something important.โ€

Sensing the gravity in Zinniaโ€™s hesitation, Lydia sat beside her and said, โ€œYou can share anything, no filters. If you need help or want something, just say the word. With me, thereโ€™s no need to hold back.โ€

Zinnia turned, steeling herself. โ€œI think I found a lead on your dad.โ€

After filling Lydia in on everythingโ€“including her and Yannisโ€™ theoriesโ€“Zinnia asked gently, โ€œWould you want to meet him? I can ask Yannis to set it up.โ€ She watched Lydia closely, whoโ€™d stayed silent since the first word.

Lydiaโ€™s face didnโ€™t show much emotion. Her hands were clenched so tightly that her knuckles turned white. โ€œLet me think about it,โ€ she whispered.

She hadnโ€™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 heโ€™d ditched them, that heโ€™d just toyed with her momโ€™s feelings.

Years went by, and the guy never showed. Lydia didnโ€™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. Sheโ€™d never considered he might be in trouble too. But now, listening to Zinniaโ€™s story, she was floored.

โ€˜If he was really tangled up in that syndicate, if he was truly trapped there and couldnโ€™t come back, not because he didnโ€™t want toโ€ฆโ€™ Lydia thought, having no clue what to do.

For years, sheโ€™d hated him, wished he were dead, and wished heโ€™d sufferโ€“how could he destroy Bonnie and vanish, leaving them to bear the pain?

But the reality was far from her darkest imaginings. She heard heโ€™d lost a finger, that his body was scarred, that heโ€™d lost his memoryโ€“remembering nothing except Bonnieโ€™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 fatherโ€™s. When Bonnie lost control, she would often stare at Lydiaโ€™s eyes, touch them, and then burst into tears. โ€œWhy do you and your father have such similar eyes? Why?โ€

Feeling Bonnieโ€™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 studyโ€“her first teachers.

All these thoughts swirled, and Lydia couldnโ€™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.

โ€œTake your time, Lydia. Let me know when youโ€™re ready to meet,โ€ Zinnia said softly.

Chapter 251

โ€œArenโ€™t we going home?โ€ Zinnia asked, noticing the car wasnโ€™t heading toward Cloud Harbor.

Emily in the passenger seat replied, โ€œMr. Perkins has a business dinner and canโ€™t cook for you tonight. He wants us to take you thereโ€“says their crispy fried chicken is killer.โ€

The dinner was quite important, and Yannis wouldnโ€™t be able to come home for a while. Worried that Zinnia wouldnโ€™t eat properly if she was home alone, he had the two bodyguards take her over.

โ€œOkay,โ€ Zinnia replied. She almost said sheโ€™d eat at home, but โ€œbusiness dinnerโ€ perked her upโ€“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, โ€œMs. Shaw, Mr. Perkins asked me to escort you up.โ€

Zinnia nodded, followed him, and took the elevator upstairs.

In the elevator, Toby said, โ€œMr. Perkins says once youโ€™re in the private room, just dig in. No need to stress.โ€

โ€œGot it.โ€ 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 suitโ€“his sharp features and deep-set eyes hinted at faded handsomenessโ€“and what looked like an assistant.

The chatter died down as Zinnia appeared in the doorway, all eyes turning to her.

Seeing Zinniaโ€™s face, Quincy Hanover, the middle-aged man, looked surprised.

โ€œZinnia.โ€ Yannis motioned her over.

Zinnia walked to his side.

โ€œZinnia, this is Mr. Quincy Hanover,โ€ Yannis said, then to Quincy, โ€œMr. Hanover, this is my sister, Zinnia Shaw.โ€

Yannisโ€™ voice snapped Quincy back to reality. He suppressed his shock and said, โ€œWell, well, what a charming young lady. No wonder you didnโ€™t want to leave her home, Mr. Perkins. If I had a sister this cute, Iโ€™d never relax either.โ€

โ€œHello, Mr. Hanover,โ€ Zinnia greeted, her voice sweet.

Quincy nodded and smiled, his gaze warm and kind as his eyes subtly settled on Zinniaโ€™s.

He thought, โ€˜Those eyesโ€“just like my old friendโ€™s. When did he have a daughter this old? Our families have a betrothal setโ€“he wouldnโ€™t ditch his kid to get out of it, would he?โ€™

Zinnia felt his stare but sensed no harm, so she nodded politely.

Noticing Quincyโ€™s gaze on Zinnia, Yannis cut in, โ€œMr. Hanover, why donโ€™t we sit?โ€

โ€œAlright. Have a seat too, Zinnia,โ€ Quincy said. The more he studied her eyes, the more they mirrored his friendโ€™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.

โ€œOrder whatever you want,โ€ 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.


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