Chapter 367
โZina, looking out the window, does anything seem familiar to you?โ Edward asked as he watched Zina gaze out the window the whole way.
They had come back at night. Outside, the city sparkled with dazzling lights and a river of headlights.
Traffic was heavy, and their car moved forward in fits and starts. It was Zinaโs first time back in Jinston, and everything looked new to her.
At the red light, she stared out the window, her eyes fixed on the world outside, full of curiosity.
Zina heard his words, looked out the window again, and shook her head.
The scenery looked so ordinary, just like what she had seen in Yinecrest. Her mind was completely blank, and she couldnโt remember anything.
Osborn said she suddenly had a cardiac arrest, which led to her amnesia.
She was born with congenital heart disease, but after surgery four years ago, her condition had significantly improved.
As long as she took good care of herself, there shouldnโt be any major health problems in the future.
However, since she was in a vegetative state for a year, her health was still not fully recovered, and she needed to be extra careful.
โEdward, did I used to live in Jinston? Why canโt I remember anything at all?โ Zina couldnโt recall a single memory of her life in Jinston.
Osborn said he lost her by accident and only found her again four years ago. But he never told her what her life in Jinston was like, or who she knew there.
Osborn said it was for her good because living in Jinston almost cost her her life. If not for these headaches and the doctor saying she should try to remember, Osborn wouldnโt have let her come back at all.
โZina, donโt push yourself,โ Edward said gently. โWeโll take it slow. Itโs okay if you canโt remember right now. We can always try other ways.
โThereโs a miracle doctor in Yellowsin with a unique acupuncture technique that works wonders. Weโll go see him and get you treated.โ
Edward looked at Zinaโs weary eyes, gently ruffling her hair, his gaze warm and tender.
Four years had passed, and Zina still couldnโt remember anything. It wouldnโt be easy for her to recall now. Edward hated seeing her so downcast.
Zinaโs doctor explained that her headaches were due to a blocked blood vessel, a complication from her prolonged coma.
Given her fragile condition after heart surgery, undergoing brain surgery now would pose significant risks.
Fortunately, the doctor assured them it wasnโt urgent and wouldnโt affect her daily life, so they didnโt let her have the operation.
However, since the beginning of this year, Zina had started experiencing occasional headaches, which the doctor believed were likely caused by that blockage.
However, her body couldnโt handle multiple surgeries in a short time. Adrian mentioned there was a miracle doctor in Yellowsin, so they decided to let Zina try to recover her memories first.
It was said that the miracle doctor in Yellowsin had long since stopped accepting patients and rarely saw anyone, so arranging for Zina to meet him would take some time.
If she couldnโt regain her memories in Jinston, they would then visit the miracle doctor. Once her headaches were resolved, theyโd head straight back to Yinecrest.
Barring any surprises, they wouldnโt be coming back to Laystoland often. That was why they planned for Zina to stay in Jinston a bit longer. It would be best if she could naturally regain her memories.
At the mention of her headaches, Zina said wearily, โI hope my headaches can be cured.โ This headache was killing her.
Meanwhile, not far behind them, a sleek RollsโRoyce Phantom inched forward.
In the back seat, the dim light cast sharp shadows across a manโs cold and detached face. His sharp browline looked frosty, and his charming eyes were cool, lips drawn into a thin line.
Perhaps it was the alcohol. He leaned back, eyes closed, looking weary. Even the tailored black suit couldnโt hide the chill that seemed to emanate from his very bones.
Toby glanced at the man in the back seat, his face cold and expressionless, and sighed inwardly.
Ever since Zinnia left four years ago, frost had settled in Yannisโ bones. He buried himself in work, numbing all feeling, showing neither joy nor sorrow.
He just kept himself running like a machine, never allowing a momentโs rest. If it werenโt for work, he would have completely fallen apart.
Toby kept his emotions in check as he reported to Yannis, โMr. Perkins, Ms. Hollis has returned to the country today. Iโve already spoken with her, and sheโll be joining the company in a week.โ
โOkay. Keep an eye on her. Sheโs too young and inexperienced. There will inevitably be dissent in the company,โ said Yannis.
Zinnia didnโt leave behind many belongings, but her friendships counted as precious keepsakes. Lydia was one of her few close friends.
Zinnia had a tender heart and treated her friends with genuine sincerity. If she knew her dear friend was being wronged, Zinnia would be upset.
Toby nodded. โI will.โ
He would have done it even without Yannis saying so. When it came to Zinnia, it was one of the few things that could still spark Yannisโ interest.
โBy the way, Mr. Hanoverโs second son returned today,โ Toby continued.
YanZin Group, formerly known as the Perkins Group, established a partnership with Hanover Technologies, a company founded by Quincy, four years ago, and this collaboration has been thriving ever since.
However, the key decisionโmakers at Hanover Technologies have mostly been overseas and seldom returned to Laystoland. Now, his second son had come back.
As hosts, they should arrange a business meal to demonstrate their commitment to this valuable partnership.
โArrange a meal with Mr. Hanover. Let him pick the time.โ Yannis opened his eyes, his voice cool and detached.
Thinking of Hanover Technologies, Yannis couldnโt help but recall that dinner four years ago with Quincy. Back then, Zinnia still by his side. But now, she was gone. Four years had already passed.
Joby said, โUnderstood. Iโll reach out to them right away.โ
โAnything else?โ Noticing Tobyโs hesitation, Yannis leveled a cool gaze at him, his voice slightly slurred from alcohol and laced with weary indifference.
Toby said, โRumor has it the Evans Group has found their longโlost heiress who went missing eighteen years ago. Apparently, thereโs a marriage alliance between Hanover Technologies and the Evans Group. Should we send a congratulatory gift?โ
โYes,โ Yannis said, waving his hand dismissively.
It was just another giftโnothing more. The Evans Group had nothing to do with the Perkins family. Yannis didnโt give the Evans Group a second thought.
Truth be told, ever since Zinnia left, nothing else could truly matter to him.
Toby nodded. โWill do.โ
Their lane started moving first, and the car inched forward a few feet. Toby asked, โShall we return to Cloud Harbor or the company?
For the past few years, Yannis had practically made the company his home.
With the new thermal imaging drone R&D underway, he had been personally overseeing the project and staying at the company day and night.
โBack to Cloud Harbor,โ Yannis said.
Only in Cloud Harbor, surrounded by the things Zinnia left behind, could Yannis truly feel that she had once existed.
Over the years, they never stopped searching for her, but Zinnia seemed to have vanished into thin air, leaving not a single trace of her anywhere.
Every year, Yannis sent teams to comb through that island and the surrounding waters. Yet Giselle insisted Zinnia was still alive.
Their car gradually drew even with the vehicle ahead.
โZina, if youโre tired, just rest for a bit. I will carry you inside later,โ Edward said gently, his eyes full of tender concern as he looked at her weary face.
She hadnโt slept well in ages because of her persistent headaches.
โOkay,โ Zina murmured. After hours on the plane and a restless night, she let her head loll against the car seat and drifted off to sleep.
Yannis shifted his cold, detached gaze out the window, staring blankly at the adjacent car as he idly toyed with the prayer beads on his wrist.
โFour years have passed. Zinnia, where in the world are you?โ he thought bleakly.
Both cars had tinted windows, shielding their occupants from prying eyes.
When the traffic light turned green, the two vehicles drove side by side for a brief moment before parting ways at the next corner.