Chapter 362
Zinnia was missing. Yannis and the others were searching frantically. Given Zinniaโs current health condition, they couldnโt afford the slightest negligence.
โFind her. Conduct a grid-by-grid search. Lock down the entire cityโno one leaves. Check every unfamiliar vehicle,โ Yannis barked. His presence was sharp and commanding, a chill radiating from his every move.
Jacksonโs face was grim as he ordered, โDo 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 Graceโs death anniversary, heโd 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 wouldnโt 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 Nathanโs mind. โStop 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, โNathan, youโre as sharp as ever. Itโs only been three hours since I took Zinnia.โ
โWhereโs 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 couldnโt 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. โDonโt worry. I watched Zinnia grow up, too. I donโt want her dead.โ
โShe wonโt die,โ Nathan shot back, his tone icy and severe.
โI hope so too. But there are conditions,โ Quincey said, his lips twisting as he looked at Nathanโs cold face.
Quincey studied the man across from himโthe same guy whoโd been so pale and frail at New Yearโs, 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.
Quinceyโs eyes flickered with complicated emotionโadmiration, reflection, and a trace of resentment. โFlorivive really worked. I thought no one could save you this time, but Zinnia actually brought you back.โ
โBut 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 Nathanโs anger, Quincey couldnโt help but laugh, โZinnia 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
โDonโt even think about provoking me,โ Nathan said, looking up with eyes gone dangerously dark. โYour terms.โ His voice dropped to a terrifying depth.
Quincey arched an eyebrow at Nathan. โWhatโs the rush? Canโt wait to die?โ
Nathanโs eyes were as cold as ice, and he did not respond.
Quincey took a long drag from his cigarette, his gaze fixed on Nathan. โHereโs the deal. Only one of you gets to liveโeither you or Zinnia. You decide.โ
โIโll die,โ Nathan stated, his eyes showing no trace of surprise at Quinceyโs condition.
Quincey sneered, โSuch decisiveness? Youโre healthy now, with good years ahead of you. Zinniaโs not the same. Sheโs had heart disease from the start. If Iโm right, her bodyโs already at its limit, and sheโs in no shape for surgery.
โSheโll likely die. Are you really willing to risk your life for Zinniaโs uncertain fate?โ
Nathanโs health had recovered. Now, his life was far more certain than Zinniaโs, who was lying unconscious with her fate unknown.
Whether Zinniaโs body could even handle surgery in the future was a questionโshe might not survive the operation at all.
โShe wonโt die,โ Nathan said, his voice low and his expression like frozen steel.
Hearing his stubbornness, Quincey didnโt argue. โSo youโre sure? Youโre willing to die?โ
โAbsolutely,โ Nathan replied.
Quincey suddenly drew a dagger and flung it at Nathanโs feet. โPick it up. Stab yourself. Die, and Iโll return Zinnia.โ
Nathan stared at the dagger by his feet, then stooped to pick it up. He studied it, Quinceyโs ever-present dagger, its hilt set with a ruby, red as blood. He noticed an inscription beside the ruby, Zick.
Quincey sneered, โGetting cold feet?โ
Nathan froze, gripping the dagger tightly. Quinceyโs eyes gleamed with derision.
โQuincey, do you hate me?โ His sudden question hung in the air, the dagger still in his hand.
Quinceyโs expression slowly stiffened. His reaction said it all.
Nathan pressed, โWhy?โ
Theyโd known each other for over a decade. โIโve never wronged him,โ Nathan thought. โI even saved his life. Why would he hate me?โ
Nathan hadnโt missed that flicker of hatred in Quinceyโs eyes when he saw him getting better.
โIs it because of Fiona?โ Before Quincey could answer, Nathan shook his head. โNo, it canโt just be about her. That wouldnโt be enough for you to resent me this much.โ
Nathan thought, โQuinceyโs grudge isnโt just about some old romance.โ
Quinceyโs expression turned icy. Sometimes, he truly hated how clever Nathan could be. โNathan, do you really think youโre that smart?โ
โAt least let a dying man know the truth, Quincey.โ Nathan genuinely couldnโt figure out why Quincey hated him so much.
Theyโd 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.
โDonโt look at me like that. You really think thatโll make me let you off? No way.โ Quinceyโs expression darkened, his voice trembling with anger.
He snapped, โFine. You want to know why? Let me spell it out for you. Twenty years ago, a little boy collapsed at your familyโs doorstep. The Moore family couldโve saved him.
โSo why didnโt you? Why did you just stand there and watch him die? Didnโt your family always pride itself on being compassionate healers? Werenโt you supposed to be the great humanitarians everyone praised?
โSo why, when a living child was dying right in front of you, did you do nothing?โ