Chapter 367
“Zina, looking out the window, does anything seem familiar to you?” 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 Zina’s 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 couldn’t 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 shouldn’t 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.
“Edward, did I used to live in Jinston? Why can’t I remember anything at all?” Zina couldn’t 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 wouldn’t have let her come back at all.
“Zina, don’t push yourself,” Edward said gently. “We’ll take it slow. It’s okay if you can’t remember right now. We can always try other ways.
“There’s a miracle doctor in Yellowsin with a unique acupuncture technique that works wonders. We’ll go see him and get you treated.”
Edward looked at Zina’s weary eyes, gently ruffling her hair, his gaze warm and tender.
Four years had passed, and Zina still couldn’t remember anything. It wouldn’t be easy for her to recall now. Edward hated seeing her so downcast.
Zina’s 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 wasn’t urgent and wouldn’t affect her daily life, so they didn’t 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 couldn’t 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 couldn’t regain her memories in Jinston, they would then visit the miracle doctor. Once her headaches were resolved, they’d head straight back to Yinecrest.
Barring any surprises, they wouldn’t 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, “I hope my headaches can be cured.” This headache was killing her.
Meanwhile, not far behind them, a sleek Rolls–Royce Phantom inched forward.
In the back seat, the dim light cast sharp shadows across a man’s 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 couldn’t 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 Yannis‘ 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 moment’s rest. If it weren’t for work, he would have completely fallen apart.
Toby kept his emotions in check as he reported to Yannis, “Mr. Perkins, Ms. Hollis has returned to the country today. I’ve already spoken with her, and she’ll be joining the company in a week.”
“Okay. Keep an eye on her. She’s too young and inexperienced. There will inevitably be dissent in the company,” said Yannis.
Zinnia didn’t 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. “I will.”
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 Yannis‘ interest.
“By the way, Mr. Hanover’s second son returned today,” 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 decision–makers 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.
“Arrange a meal with Mr. Hanover. Let him pick the time.” Yannis opened his eyes, his voice cool and detached.
Thinking of Hanover Technologies, Yannis couldn’t 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, “Understood. I’ll reach out to them right away.”
“Anything else?” Noticing Toby’s hesitation, Yannis leveled a cool gaze at him, his voice slightly slurred from alcohol and laced with weary indifference.
Toby said, “Rumor has it the Evans Group has found their long–lost heiress who went missing eighteen years ago. Apparently, there’s a marriage alliance between Hanover Technologies and the Evans Group. Should we send a congratulatory gift?”
“Yes,” Yannis said, waving his hand dismissively.
It was just another gift–nothing more. The Evans Group had nothing to do with the Perkins family. Yannis didn’t give the Evans Group a second thought.
Truth be told, ever since Zinnia left, nothing else could truly matter to him.
Toby nodded. “Will do.”
Their lane started moving first, and the car inched forward a few feet. Toby asked, “Shall 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.
“Back to Cloud Harbor,” 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.
“Zina, if you’re tired, just rest for a bit. I will carry you inside later,” Edward said gently, his eyes full of tender concern as he looked at her weary face.
She hadn’t slept well in ages because of her persistent headaches.
“Okay,” 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.
‘Four years have passed. Zinnia, where in the world are you?‘ 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.