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, โWhatโs up? Got something on your mind?โ
Zinnia took a deep breath, fidgeting before blurting, โI need to tell you something important.โ
Sensing the gravity in Zinniaโs hesitation, Lydia sat beside her and said, โYou can share anything, no filters. If you need help or want something, just say the word. With me, thereโs no need to hold back.โ
Zinnia turned, steeling herself. โI think I found a lead on your dad.โ
After filling Lydia in on everythingโincluding her and Yannisโ theoriesโZinnia asked gently, โWould you want to meet him? I can ask Yannis to set it up.โ She watched Lydia closely, whoโd stayed silent since the first word.
Lydiaโs face didnโt show much emotion. Her hands were clenched so tightly that her knuckles turned white. โLet me think about it,โ she whispered.
She hadnโt 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 heโd ditched them, that heโd just toyed with her momโs feelings.
Years went by, and the guy never showed. Lydia didnโt 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. Sheโd never considered he might be in trouble too. But now, listening to Zinniaโs story, she was floored.
โIf he was really tangled up in that syndicate, if he was truly trapped there and couldnโt come back, not because he didnโt want toโฆโ Lydia thought, having no clue what to do.
For years, sheโd hated him, wished he were dead, and wished heโd sufferโhow could he destroy Bonnie and vanish, leaving them to bear the pain?
But the reality was far from her darkest imaginings. She heard heโd lost a finger, that his body was scarred, that heโd lost his memoryโremembering nothing except Bonnieโs 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 fatherโs. When Bonnie lost control, she would often stare at Lydiaโs eyes, touch them, and then burst into tears. โWhy do you and your father have such similar eyes? Why?โ
Feeling Bonnieโs 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 studyโher first teachers.
All these thoughts swirled, and Lydia couldnโt 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.
โTake your time, Lydia. Let me know when youโre ready to meet,โ Zinnia said softly.
Chapter 251
โArenโt we going home?โ Zinnia asked, noticing the car wasnโt heading toward Cloud Harbor.
Emily in the passenger seat replied, โMr. Perkins has a business dinner and canโt cook for you tonight. He wants us to take you thereโsays their crispy fried chicken is killer.โ
The dinner was quite important, and Yannis wouldnโt be able to come home for a while. Worried that Zinnia wouldnโt eat properly if she was home alone, he had the two bodyguards take her over.
โOkay,โ Zinnia replied. She almost said sheโd eat at home, but โbusiness dinnerโ perked her upโthose 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, โMs. Shaw, Mr. Perkins asked me to escort you up.โ
Zinnia nodded, followed him, and took the elevator upstairs.
In the elevator, Toby said, โMr. Perkins says once youโre in the private room, just dig in. No need to stress.โ
โGot 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 suitโhis sharp features and deep-set eyes hinted at faded handsomenessโand what looked like an assistant.
The chatter died down as Zinnia appeared in the doorway, all eyes turning to her.
Seeing Zinniaโs face, Quincy Hanover, the middle-aged man, looked surprised.
โZinnia.โ Yannis motioned her over.
Zinnia walked to his side.
โZinnia, this is Mr. Quincy Hanover,โ Yannis said, then to Quincy, โMr. Hanover, this is my sister, Zinnia Shaw.โ
Yannisโ voice snapped Quincy back to reality. He suppressed his shock and said, โWell, well, what a charming young lady. No wonder you didnโt want to leave her home, Mr. Perkins. If I had a sister this cute, Iโd never relax either.โ
โHello, Mr. Hanover,โ Zinnia greeted, her voice sweet.
Quincy nodded and smiled, his gaze warm and kind as his eyes subtly settled on Zinniaโs.
He thought, โThose eyesโjust like my old friendโs. When did he have a daughter this old? Our families have a betrothal setโhe wouldnโt ditch his kid to get out of it, would he?โ
Zinnia felt his stare but sensed no harm, so she nodded politely.
Noticing Quincyโs gaze on Zinnia, Yannis cut in, โMr. Hanover, why donโt we sit?โ
โAlright. Have a seat too, Zinnia,โ Quincy said. The more he studied her eyes, the more they mirrored his friendโs. 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.
โOrder 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.