Chapter 366
“Zina, have you arrived home yet? Are you settling in okay? Was the flight tiring? Have you been eating well? Do you have enough money?"
“I just transferred another seven million to your card–buy whatever you like, and if it’s not enough, just tell Daddy.” It was Osborn’s voice, tense yet full of concern.
With his precious daughter traveling back home alone, Osborn was beside himself with worry.
Having reached middle age, Osborn suddenly learned he had a daughter. In that moment, he was at a loss for words, unable to describe what he felt.
Upon thinking about how he’d been set up when he was young, a surge of anger welled up inside him.
But when Osborn finally saw Zina barely clinging to life, hanging by a thread, he was consumed with fury.
Osborn sternly commanded the medical team to cure her, no matter what it took.
After years of devoted care, he finally nursed his daughter back to health. From then on, all of Osborn’s paternal devotion was poured into his precious girl.
“Yes, Zina, are you feeling okay? Do you want me to come back and keep you company? We’re so worried about you being back home all alone.” Right after that, Shirin’s gentle, soothing voice came through, thick with deep concern.
Zina had been with them for four years. Now that Zina was returning home alone and wouldn’t let them accompany her, they were worried sick.
“Daddy, Shirin, I’m settling in just fine. Please don’t worry. Besides, Edward is here with me, so you can rest assured.” Zina’s voice softened as she listened to their concern, her eyes shimmering with a gentle smile.
“Don’t worry, Osborn, Shirin. I’ll make sure Zina is well taken care of,” Edward chimed in from the side.
“Edward, you must take good care of Zina. If anything comes up, call us right away. Once Adrian finishes his work, I’ll have him come back immediately,” Osborn said.
Osborn had complete trust in Edward. Over the years, Edward’s devotion to Zina was plain to see, and as a father, Osborn couldn’t be more satisfied with Edward as Zina’s boyfriend.
However, Osborn had only just gotten his daughter back. There was no way he would agree to let anyone marry her off so soon.
That promise Osborn made with Quincy back then was just drunken talk, nothing serious.
If Zina didn’t like Edward, Osborn definitely wouldn’t force her into anything. At worst, he would just have to take a beating from Quincy.
But Edward was actually a decent guy, gentle-natured and patient. Zina could be quite a handful with her temper, but he had just the right temperament to handle her.
If Zina and Edward truly developed feelings for each other, Osborn would be more than happy to give them his blessing. The only thing that mattered was that Zina truly liked Edward.
Edward was the second son of Osborn’s old friend, Quincy.
They had originally planned for Quincy’s eldest son to marry Osborn’s daughter, but Osborn never had a daughter. Seeing that his eldest son had reached the age for marriage, Quincy decided to go ahead with the wedding arrangements.
They had thought the marriage alliance would never happen. But four years ago, when Quincy returned to Laystoland, he unexpectedly found Zina. He was overjoyed and surprised that Osborn’s daughter was so beautiful.
Osborn was glad that the Hanover family was really hitting the jackpot with this one.
Chapter 366
Four years ago, when Zina returned to the Evans family, Quincy immediately sent his son Edward to take care of her. Strike first to gain the upper hand.
The understated Maybach glided away from the airport. A flashy fuchsia Ferrari pulled into the spot they had just vacated.
The car door swung open, revealing a long leg in black straight-leg pants and Doc Martens boots, topped with a crisp black shirt. Her figure was sharp and sleek.
Her lips were a bold, rosy red, her sharp chin visible beneath oversized black sunglasses that covered most of her beautiful face, exuding an air of cool defiance.
The car door clicked shut as Maisie leaned lazily against the hood, a bouquet of Cappuccino roses in hand, her eyes fixed on the arrival exit.
When Maisie spotted Lydia, graceful and elegant in her beige suit, her eyes lit up and she hurried over.
“Lydia, you’re finally back. I thought you wouldn’t be home until next year.” Maisie’s voice bubbled with the joyful excitement of reuniting with an old friend after so long.
Four years ago, Zina went missing. They had planned to go to Mealinia together, but with Zina gone, Maisie didn’t go abroad after all.
However, Lydia still went abroad, to Mealinia. Zina once said she wanted to go to Mealinia. After four years abroad, Lydia graduated and returned home.
Having heard the news, Maisie came specifically to welcome Lydia.
“You still have no news of Zina?” asked Lydia.
Lydia gazed at the streets that felt both familiar and foreign, her mask covering most of her face, revealing only her cool, restrained eyes. She accepted the bouquet, her voice quiet and measured.
“No,” Maisie replied quietly. At the mention of Zina, Maisie’s smile gradually faded, giving way to sorrow.
They never believed Zina was dead. There was no body, which meant she was still alive. As long as they couldn’t find Zina, they would never give up.
Hearing there was still no news of Zina, Lydia lowered her eyes. A dull ache throbbed in her chest.
‘Four years, and still no trace of her,’ Lydia thought. ‘Zina, where on earth have you gone? It had been four years.’
Maisie put an arm around Lydia’s shoulders and said warmly, “Alright, Lydia, you must be exhausted after that long flight. Let’s grab something to eat first, then I’ll drive you home.”
Lydia said softly, “I’ll skip the meal. I need to go home and see Mom first.”
For the past four years, Ian had always been by Bonnie’s side. Even though Bonnie still couldn’t remember her past, she and Ian had fallen in love all over again.
For four years, Lydia had witnessed Ian’s devoted care for Bonnie. Lydia no longer wanted to dwell on what had happened all those years ago.
After seventeen years apart, all that mattered now was their happiness.
“Alright,” Maisie replied. She started the engine and drove away from the airport.
Maisie asked, “Lydia, now that you’ve finally finished your studies and come back home, where are you planning to work? Want to work with me?”
Maisie joined the Jenkins Group as soon as she started university. Ethan became a pilot and now flew around the world. Brian was now a police officer.
They had all kept in touch over the years, and ever since Zina left, none of them ever gave up searching for her.
“No, thanks. Mr. Perkins has offered me the position of Technical Director in the Security Department at Perkins Group.” Lydia spoke in a soft, composed voice.
Chapter 366
Lydia had been a standout since high school. After heading overseas, she graduated from Masieria University with top honors. Before her return, Toby had already reached out to recruit her.
Lydia inherited Ian’s exceptional hacking skills, even surpassing him. Cybersecurity had always been her specialty.
Previously, Lydia had even led her team to clinch first place in the prestigious International Cybersecurity Competition.
She made the world recognize an extraordinary young woman from Laystoland, brilliant, exceptional, and truly peerless.
Even before graduation, she was being fiercely courted by top companies both domestically and internationally. But she resolutely chose to return home.
When asked in an interview why she chose this path, Lydia looked straight at the interviewer and said calmly, “There’s someone I need to find.”
Mr. Perkins was referring to Yannis. Over these four years, Yannis single-handedly built the Perkins Group into an empire, dominating the market with unstoppable momentum as the corporation expanded rapidly.
The Penguin Stealth Tracker, developed by Perkins Group, had been widely deployed in the military.
Yannis, the head of Perkins Group, wielded immense power at the remarkably young age of twenty-eight. He was destined for greatness.
Within business circles, he was universally admired and praised.
Yannis was once best known as the heir of the Perkins family. Now, he was known as the YanZin Group’s CEO, a man destined for greatness.