Chapter 336
Hearing the childrenโs voices from downstairs, Zinnia and Nathan exchanged puzzled looks.
โWho is it, Nathan?โ Zinnia asked, her curiosity piqued, as the two of them headed downstairs together.
โZinnia, they are so handsome. Come on out, you guys,โ another child shouted excitedly from downstairs.
Stepping out of the living room, Zinnia and Nathan froze in surprise at the sight of the figures in the courtyard. It was Yannis and Jackson.
As soon as they came out, the little kid who led the way pointed excitedly at the two men behind them, saying, โZinnia. Nathan. These two guys are looking for you.โ
Yannis and Jackson each had a suitcase in tow.
Sunny circled the two men. His ears perked up as he let out a warning bark.
โYannis, Jackson! What brings you guys here?โ Zinnia exclaimed, unable to hide her excitement. She dashed over to them, her eyes wide with surprise. She never in a million years expected to see Yannis here.
Seeing Zinnia emerge, Sunny barked and dashed to her side, anxiously circling around her legs in an attempt to block her path.
Zinnia crouched down and gently ruffled Sunnyโs fur, soothing him. โItโs okay, Sunny. Theyโre my cousins, not bad guys. Donโt worry,โ she said.
Zinnia knew why Sunny was so on edge. Last time, when the Shaw family showed up all dressed up, sheโd been taken away.
Now, whenever Sunny saw anyone looking all proper and formal, heโd get wary and start barking, but he always kept his distance and never actually bit anyone.
Yannis and Jackson had just left a party and rushed over by plane. They were still dressed in their formal suits, looking just like Howard when he came to take Zinnia away.
โHave you eaten yet?โ Nathan asked, glancing at Jackson, who sat silently in the living room with a dark face.
โNot yet. We came in a hurry,โ Yannis said as he and Jackson set down their suitcases.
They had flown in that afternoon. Their minds were elsewhere, and they had no time to eat on the plane. Now, it was already 10:30 p.m.
โNathan baked me some pastries this afternoon. Iโll go get some for you guys,โ Zinnia said. Then she dashed off to the kitchen upon hearing they hadnโt eaten yet.
For a moment, only Nathan, Jackson, and Yannis remained in the living room.
โIโll go help,โ Yannis said, glancing at Jackson, who sat there in stony silence. Then he got up and headed toward the kitchen.
As Zinnia and Yannis left, Jackson stood up and grabbed Nathan by the collar, his face dark with anger. They needed to have a serious talk.
โNathan, do you really want me to bury you? Get your ass back to Jinston where they have proper medical care!โ Jackson snapped.
Nathan staggered as Jackson yanked him by the collar. His weakened body was no match for Jacksonโs strength. The sudden pull left him breathless. His face paled as he struggled to steady himself.
Jackson lowered his gaze, scrutinizing Nathanโs face, which was pale, and his lips nearly colorless. โJust an old ailment, huh? You said it was nothing serious, and you just needed some rest?โ
However, Nathan remained silent. Jackson gritted his teeth, his voice sharp as he said, โSpeak up! Cat got your tongue?โ His anger was plain to see.
Nathan let out a weary sigh. โRelax. Iโm not going to die that easily,โ he said, meeting Jacksonโs blazing gaze.
Chapter 336
Jackson always kept his emotions in check, especially when it came to Nathan, the person heโd spent over a decade searching for. He could never bring himself to scold Nathan. But now, he discovered that Nathan had hidden something this serious and deadly from him.
If he hadnโt gone to see Raymond a couple of days ago and accidentally overheard Yannis asking for medical texts, he would still have no idea that Nathanโs life was hanging by a thread.
โYouโre not dead yet? Youโre just barely clinging to life! How dare you hide something like this from me, Nathan?โ Jacksonโs eyes were icy with anger as he took in Nathanโs calm, indifferent expression. Jacksonโs handsome features frozen in a scowl.
His fists clenched so tightly that they ached and trembled, but when his gaze fell on Nathanโs sickly, almost translucent face, he simply couldnโt bring himself to strike.
โDonโt be so mad. Youโll make yourself sick,โ Nathan said, meeting Jacksonโs furious gaze. Knowing he was wrong, he said little else.
โNathan, Iโm telling you. Once youโre better, youโre gonna get a good beating. Wait and see,โ Jackson said coldly. His anger finally ebbed as Nathan didnโt even try to defend himself. Then he released Nathan.
If it werenโt for Nathanโs sickly state, Jackson would never have let him off so easily. Hitting him now would just be taking advantage. But once Nathan was back on his feet, Jackson was definitely going to beat some sense into him.
He thought, โIt makes sense now. When I asked Nathan about his future plans, he stayed silent. Turns out heโs fighting for his life? There would be no future.
โNo wonder. Even though Nathan could have given Zinnia a better life himself, he still chose to send her back.โ
Nathan was afraid that if something happened to him, Zinnia would have no one to protect her, so he wanted to secure her future.
Zinnia lingered in the kitchen doorway, her eyes fixed on the tense scene outside. She took a step forward, but Yannis caught her gaze and shook his head. This was something Jackson and Nathan needed to work out between themselves.
Zinnia could only force down her worry, gripping the doorframe as she anxiously watched the scene outside.
Yannis stood beside her and popped a cookie into her mouth. โRelax,โ he said. โJackson wonโt do anything to Nathan. Even if he wants to teach Nathan a lesson, heโll wait until Nathanโs back on his feet.โ
Zinnia mumbled under her breath, โGuess Nathan will still get a beating.โ
But when she first found out about Nathanโs condition, Zinnia was so mad that she wanted to punch him herself. So she figured it was natural for Jackson to be angry.
Yannis couldnโt help but chuckle. He said, โNathan kept such a huge secret from us. Of course, Jackson was furious. You shouldโve seen his face when he first found out. It was thunderous. Raymond and I didnโt even dare to breathe, let alone speak.
โLater, Jackson dragged me off for a fight, and that barely managed to calm him down. Honestly, itโs only because todayโs my birthday that his mood has lightened up at all.โ
Hearing theyโd fought, Zinnia anxiously turned to Yannis. โJackson fought with you? Are you hurt?โ
Yannis shook his head at her. โNo, donโt worry. We both held back.โ
โYannis, arenโt you supposed to be celebrating your birthday at home?โ Zinnia asked, suddenly remembering it was his birthday.
She wondered, โLogically, he should be at the Perkins Manor right now, so why did he suddenly show up here?โ
Yannisโ eyes crinkled with warmth as he smiled. โI missed you, Zinnia. I just wanted to celebrate it with you.โ
Hearing his words, Zinnia couldnโt help but smile, a little spark of happiness lighting up inside her. โHe actually came, and the dayโs not over yet. That means my promise to spend his birthday with him still counts,โ she thought, feeling secretly delighted.
Chapter 336
But she couldnโt help but worry. โIโm serious. James and the others must have spent ages preparing for your birthday.โ
Zinnia never expected Yannis to show up like this.
โI already celebrated my birthday at the Perkins Manor at noon,โ Yannis said. Heโd spent the afternoon there, and now, in the evening, heโd come to see Zinnia.
โYou canโt go back, but I can come to you,โ Yannis said gently. โAfter all, you promised to spend my birthday with me. You canโt go back on your word."
He had planned this all along. Knowing she wouldnโt be able to return, heโd already decided to come to her.
โBut Jinston is quite far away from Yellowsin. You rushed over right after your birthday party. The schedule must have been crazy tight. Arenโt you exhausted?โ Zinnia asked.
Yannis had to attend his own birthday party, and for someone like him, it was never just a simple celebration. It was mostly a whirlwind of social obligations, endless toasts, and networking.
Then he had to rush to catch an afternoon flight. His schedule was packed to the minute.
Yannisโs lips curved up slightly. โJust a little tired. How about giving me a little energy?โ
Hearing him say he was tired, Zinnia felt that her heart ached for him.
The next moment, she was enveloped in that familiar, mintโscented embrace. Yannis rested his head on her shoulder and murmured, โJust holding you is all I need, Zinnia.โ