Come in 362
Posted on July 09, 2025 ยท 0 mins read
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Chapter 362

Zinnia was missing. Yannis and the others were searching frantically. Given Zinniaโ€™s current health condition, they couldnโ€™t afford the slightest negligence.

โ€œFind her. Conduct a grid-by-grid search. Lock down the entire cityโ€”no one leaves. Check every unfamiliar vehicle,โ€ Yannis barked. His presence was sharp and commanding, a chill radiating from his every move.

Jacksonโ€™s face was grim as he ordered, โ€œDo whatever it takes. We must find her.โ€

Meanwhile, Nathan meticulously searched the hospital room, his features set in a look of utter coldness.

Zinnia was discovered missing at 5 a.m. Yannis had kept vigil by her side all night, but today, on Graceโ€™s death anniversary, heโ€™d left for half a day. When he returned, Zinnia was gone.

They checked the surveillance footage, only to find it had already been tampered with.

With Zinnia unconscious, taking her away wouldnโ€™t have been easy. Whoever managed to take her, disable the cameras, and navigate this town so well was clearly prepared. It was probably someone who knew them.

Only one person came to Nathanโ€™s mind. โ€œStop searching. I know who did it,โ€ he said, his voice icy cold.

Yannis and Jackson both turned to look at him.

The private jet circled overhead over a private island. Nathan gazed down at the villa below. On the empty stretch of beach, Quincey sat alone.

Hearing the sound of the jet, Quincey looked up as Nathan descended from the sky.

Quincey called out cheerfully, โ€œNathan, youโ€™re as sharp as ever. Itโ€™s only been three hours since I took Zinnia.โ€

โ€œWhereโ€™s Zinnia?โ€ Nathan demanded, skipping any pleasantries. He shot an anxious glance toward the villa behind him, then fixed his tense gaze on Quincey.

Quincey had taken Zinnia. After more than a decade as a hardened mercenary, he was a highly skilled combatant.

But Nathan couldnโ€™t understand why Quincey betrayed both him and Zinnia.

Quincey tapped out a cigarette, lit it, and took a heavy drag. As he exhaled, blue-gray smoke obscured his sharp features. His voice was cool and detached. โ€œDonโ€™t worry. I watched Zinnia grow up, too. I donโ€™t want her dead.โ€

โ€œShe wonโ€™t die,โ€ Nathan shot back, his tone icy and severe.

โ€œI hope so too. But there are conditions,โ€ Quincey said, his lips twisting as he looked at Nathanโ€™s cold face.

Quincey studied the man across from himโ€”the same guy whoโ€™d been so pale and frail at New Yearโ€™s, clinging to life in bed, yet somehow managed to pull through.

In just a few days, Nathan was already up and walking. Zinnia really did have a way about her.

Quinceyโ€™s eyes flickered with complicated emotionโ€”admiration, reflection, and a trace of resentment. โ€œFlorivive really worked. I thought no one could save you this time, but Zinnia actually brought you back.โ€

โ€œBut Nathan, how does it feel, knowing Zinnia is dying now because of you?โ€ Quincey raised an eyebrow, watching him closely.

Nathan clenched his fists, his nails digging deep into his palms at those words.

Noticing Nathanโ€™s anger, Quincey couldnโ€™t help but laugh, โ€œZinnia really is your weakness. Just mentioning her gets a rise out of you. If she really dies because of you, Nathan, could you live with yourself?โ€

โ€œDonโ€™t even think about provoking me,โ€ Nathan said, looking up with eyes gone dangerously dark. โ€œYour terms.โ€ His voice dropped to a terrifying depth.

Quincey arched an eyebrow at Nathan. โ€œWhatโ€™s the rush? Canโ€™t wait to die?โ€

Nathanโ€™s eyes were as cold as ice, and he did not respond.

Quincey took a long drag from his cigarette, his gaze fixed on Nathan. โ€œHereโ€™s the deal. Only one of you gets to liveโ€”either you or Zinnia. You decide.โ€

โ€œIโ€™ll die,โ€ Nathan stated, his eyes showing no trace of surprise at Quinceyโ€™s condition.

Quincey sneered, โ€œSuch decisiveness? Youโ€™re healthy now, with good years ahead of you. Zinniaโ€™s not the same. Sheโ€™s had heart disease from the start. If Iโ€™m right, her bodyโ€™s already at its limit, and sheโ€™s in no shape for surgery.

โ€œSheโ€™ll likely die. Are you really willing to risk your life for Zinniaโ€™s uncertain fate?โ€

Nathanโ€™s health had recovered. Now, his life was far more certain than Zinniaโ€™s, who was lying unconscious with her fate unknown.

Whether Zinniaโ€™s body could even handle surgery in the future was a questionโ€”she might not survive the operation at all.

โ€œShe wonโ€™t die,โ€ Nathan said, his voice low and his expression like frozen steel.

Hearing his stubbornness, Quincey didnโ€™t argue. โ€œSo youโ€™re sure? Youโ€™re willing to die?โ€

โ€œAbsolutely,โ€ Nathan replied.

Quincey suddenly drew a dagger and flung it at Nathanโ€™s feet. โ€œPick it up. Stab yourself. Die, and Iโ€™ll return Zinnia.โ€

Nathan stared at the dagger by his feet, then stooped to pick it up. He studied it, Quinceyโ€™s ever-present dagger, its hilt set with a ruby, red as blood. He noticed an inscription beside the ruby, Zick.

Quincey sneered, โ€œGetting cold feet?โ€

Nathan froze, gripping the dagger tightly. Quinceyโ€™s eyes gleamed with derision.

โ€œQuincey, do you hate me?โ€ His sudden question hung in the air, the dagger still in his hand.

Quinceyโ€™s expression slowly stiffened. His reaction said it all.

Nathan pressed, โ€œWhy?โ€

Theyโ€™d known each other for over a decade. โ€˜Iโ€™ve never wronged him,โ€™ Nathan thought. โ€˜I even saved his life. Why would he hate me?โ€™

Nathan hadnโ€™t missed that flicker of hatred in Quinceyโ€™s eyes when he saw him getting better.

โ€œIs it because of Fiona?โ€ Before Quincey could answer, Nathan shook his head. โ€œNo, it canโ€™t just be about her. That wouldnโ€™t be enough for you to resent me this much.โ€

Nathan thought, โ€˜Quinceyโ€™s grudge isnโ€™t just about some old romance.โ€™

Quinceyโ€™s expression turned icy. Sometimes, he truly hated how clever Nathan could be. โ€œNathan, do you really think youโ€™re that smart?โ€

โ€œAt least let a dying man know the truth, Quincey.โ€ Nathan genuinely couldnโ€™t figure out why Quincey hated him so much.

Theyโ€™d known each other for over a decade. Quincey used to treat Nathan very well. When Nathan fought to reclaim the Moore family, Quincey went through hell alone with him.

โ€œDonโ€™t look at me like that. You really think thatโ€™ll make me let you off? No way.โ€ Quinceyโ€™s expression darkened, his voice trembling with anger.

He snapped, โ€œFine. You want to know why? Let me spell it out for you. Twenty years ago, a little boy collapsed at your familyโ€™s doorstep. The Moore family couldโ€™ve saved him.

โ€œSo why didnโ€™t you? Why did you just stand there and watch him die? Didnโ€™t your family always pride itself on being compassionate healers? Werenโ€™t you supposed to be the great humanitarians everyone praised?

โ€œSo why, when a living child was dying right in front of you, did you do nothing?โ€


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