โIf we wait any longer, they wonโt be able to resist,โ Nathan said. โIf we donโt give them any openings, they might resort to desperate measures. Emilyโs team has noticed surveillance on them recently.โ
Yannis learned that the Tinderground syndicate was involved. He kept Zinnia under tight security. Emily and Stephen provided constant protection, escorting her to and from school every day. Once she was home, she didnโt step outside.
After Nathan returned, Zinnia headed straight home after classes without lingering. Cloud Harborโs security was top-notch. There was no way they could have slipped in unnoticed.
With no chance to get close to Zinnia, they were inevitably growing restless. Once they got anxious, things were likely to go wrong.
โLetโs wait until Zinniaโs on break,โ Nathan said, continuing with the food preparation.
Jackson sliced the sausage, then looked over at Nathan. โHow are you feeling?โ he asked. His searching gaze swept over Nathan, looking for any sign of improvement. He couldnโt shake the feeling that Nathan looked even thinner than before. Jackson frowned slightly.
Nathan lowered his eyes, his expression calm. โIโm fine,โ he replied.
Yannis winced as a sharp sting in his hand snapped him out of his thoughts. He glanced down and noticed a fresh cut on his finger.
Jackson turned his head to ask Yannis to pass him something, only to see blood welling from a cut on Yannisโs hand.
โYannis, how could you be so careless? Put the knife down and grab some tissue,โ Jackson said. As he spoke, he set aside what he was holding and quickly fetched a tissue to wrap the wound.
โItโs nothing, just a scratch,โ Yannis said, casually wrapping it with a tissue. Heโd been nicked by a shrimp while prepping them.
Noticing the cut on Yannisโs hand, Nathan set down what he held. โLetโs go to the living room. Iโll treat your wound.โ Yannis followed Nathan into the living room.
โHave a seat. Iโll grab the first aid kit,โ Nathan said, turning away. Yannis sat down on the couch.
Nathan quickly found the kit and turned around. In a gentle voice, he said, โDonโt show anything unusual in front of them.โ His tone was soft.
Nathan removed a cotton swab, dipped it in some antiseptic, and carefully cleaned the wound on Yannisโs hand.
โHow are you feeling?โ Yannis lowered his head, his heart growing heavy as he remembered the words about entrusting Zinniaโs care to him.
A few days ago, Nathan was still coughing, but the coughing had almost stopped. Yannis worried that Nathan might be hiding his symptoms somehow.
โHave you heard of Florivive?โ Nathan asked as he gently applied a band-aid to his hand.
He had already instructed all Moore Group-affiliated pharmacies nationwide to be on the lookout for it and had contacted several research institutes. However, there still hadnโt been any news.
The Moore family had been out of the country for two decades, during which many of their old connections had gradually faded away.
โFlorivive?โ Yannis repeated, his brow furrowing at the strange name. He pondered it for a moment, then admitted, โIโve never heard of it. Iโll ask my grandpa; he might know something."
โTonight, Iโll get back to the Perkins residence. Iโll check with the butler to see if we have Florivive. If we donโt, Iโll have someone inquire further.โ
โThank you,โ Nathan said with a gentle smile.
Chapter 288
Yannis shook his head. โNo need for all the niceties.โ He hoped Nathan would get better soon.
โThe Perkins family has an excellent medical team. Would you like them to examine you?โ Yannis asked, concern evident in his eyes.
โDid you forget Iโm a doctor?โ Nathan said, closing the medical kit.
Yannis fell silent and thought, โThatโs right. Nathan is an exceptional doctor. But he couldnโt help himself, so he entrusted Zinniaโs care to me.โ
Yannisโs voice was hoarse as he asked, โCan you tell me how youโre feeling now?โ
โI probably have about half a year left,โ Nathan replied quietly.
โHalf a year.โ Yannisโs throat tightened. He had known that Nathanโs time might be limited, but he hadnโt anticipated it would be so brief.
โDoes Zinnia know?โ Yannis asked, then immediately realized how pointless the question was. He thought, โIf she knew, Nathan wouldnโt have gone to such lengths to keep it from her.โ
โNo,โ Nathan replied, his voice steady. With his back to Yannis, he placed the first aid kit into the cabinet and said, โItโs enough for us to know about it.โ
โWhat were you talking about?โ Jackson called out. โIโve pretty much finished prepping everything. Zinnia wants shrimp, right? Since you said she doesnโt eat garlic, what flavors do we have?โ By the time they came back in, Jackson had nearly finished prepping the ingredients.
โYeah,โ Nathan said, glancing at Yannis, who was about to step into the kitchen. โYannis, could you check on Zinnia and let her know dinnerโs almost ready?โ
Yannis paused, pulling his foot back from the kitchen doorway. โSure.โ He turned and headed toward Zinniaโs room.
The layout of her room mirrored Yannisโs, with Zinniaโs room being the farthest from Nathanโs. The room had a fresh and airy aesthetic. Since Zinnia loved flowers, Nathan had arranged exquisitely crafted bouquets on the coffee table, display shelves, dining table, and bar cabinet.
Even though Yannis hadnโt visited in the past few days, he and Zinnia stayed in constant contact over the phone. His phone buzzed daily with a flurry of chirpy voice messages from Zinnia.
One moment, sheโd tell him about the delicious meals Nathan had cooked for her; the next, sheโd gush about the cute braids Nathan had styled in her hair or share which beautiful new flowers Nathan had arranged.
Even though they no longer lived together, their relationship hadnโt faded. If anything, absence seemed to make them fonder. Zinnia took every opportunity to pester him with her messages.
Zinnia: [Yannis, send me a pic of your gorgeous hands.]
Zinnia: [Yannis, what are you wearing today? Donโt tell me itโs that same all-black outfit again.]
Zinnia: [Yannis, did you wash your hair? I wanna braid it. Since I canโt, you do a little braid and show me.]
Listening to Zinniaโs bubbly voice messages, Yannis would always smile indulgently. He never refused her anything.
Yannis walked to Zinniaโs door and knocked.
โWho is it? Wait a minute!โ Zinnia called from inside.
Zinnia was in the middle of something when she heard a knock. She frantically shoved everything under the cabinet. Only after making sure everything was hidden did she hurry to open the door.
Zinnia opened the door. โWhat are you doing here?โ she asked with flustered breath, her eyes darting nervously when she saw it was Yannis.
โWhat mischief are you up to?โ Yannis teased. She looked like she used to when she snuck snacks. It was obvious sheโd been up to something.
Chapter 288
โNothing, donโt tease me,โ Zinnia said with a light snort. Her gaze dropped to the band-aid in his hand. โWhat happened?โ she asked, her voice altering with concern.
Yannis replied, โNothing serious. I got nicked by a shrimp.โ