Chapter 4
The Shaw family stiffened at Zinniaโs blunt accusation.
โIโm not apologizing for something I didnโt do,โ Zinnia said flatly. They never believed her, and she wasnโt about to start hoping now.
Suddenly, a bitter ache spread through her chestโshe missed her master terribly. โWhy did he dump me back with these awful people? I hate him now anyway,โ she thought, her vision blurring.
Howardโs heart sank when he saw Zinniaโs eyes. They were red and looked like she might burst into tears at any moment.
The other Shaws shifted uncomfortably. โNo oneโs even scolded her yet. Why the sudden tears?โ
Zinnia had no clue they thought she was on the verge of tears. If she knew, sheโd definitely snap back; even if she did cry, it sure wouldnโt be over them.
But she didnโt realize she looked tearful. She just felt her eyes burning, her nose stuffy, and her head all fuzzy.
She wanted to get this over with and leave. She couldnโt stand being around the Shaws; it felt like she was being suffocated.
Zinnia fished out a candy from her bag and popped it into her mouthโsugar always helped her shake off the bad mood. She decided that when her master returned, sheโd give him a piece of her mind for ditching her.
โYosef, if thereโs surveillance footage, have the butler check it now,โ Howard turned to his brother, his voice tinged with a hint of urgency. โWeโll see exactly what happened. No more baseless accusations.โ
โThat bratโs already on the verge of tears. If we donโt clear this up, guess whoโll have to comfort Ms. Waterworks here?โ Howard thought.
โMom, Dad, Zinnia didnโt push me,โ Betty said quickly. โWe were talking by the pool yesterday when I slipped in. Letโs not trouble the butler with checking cameras. Heโs already swamped with household duties.โ
Betty hadnโt expected Zinnia to fight back. She also hadnโt expected Zinnia to bring up the surveillance by the pool. Her expression shiftedโZinnia was actually using her head.
โCheck it, so they canโt claim I pushed you,โ Zinnia said, her voice light and calm.
Yosef looked from the nervous Betty to the calm Zinnia. Years in business had taught him to read people, and Betty was definitely hiding something.
He rubbed his forehead and said quietly, โEnough. Letโs just drop this. It could be a simple misunderstanding.โ
Betty, sitting on the hospital bed, let out a small sigh of relief. She realized sheโd have to be more careful next time she tried to scheme against ZinniaโZinnia was a lot sharper than sheโd thought.
โSo when you guys thought I messed up, you hauled me here to apologize. But when itโs Betty, suddenly everyoneโs cool?โ Zinnia said, her voice dripping with sarcasm.
She stared at Yosef with a bitter smile that didnโt touch her lips. She knew better than to expect anything from this family.
Timothy tried to argue, but Yosef quickly grabbed his arm. When he followed Yosefโs look, he caught Bettyโs nervous expression. His brow furrowed, and an odd discomfort settled in his chest.
Then he caught Zinniaโs calm, disappointed look and felt his anger rising. โWhatโs with her attitude? Weโre the ones who should be pissed off. Sheโs been wreaking havoc in our family since she came back.โ
โZinnia, even if there was a misunderstanding, youโre responsible for Bettyโs falling in. After all, you were the one who invited her to the pool,โ Timothy snapped, his voice sharp.
โFine, my bad. Iโll stay a thousand miles away from Betty. That way, if she loses a single hair, you wonโt pin the blame on me,โ Zinnia said, her face expressionless, as if sheโd already gotten used to it.
โSince when did you get so sharp-tongued, Zinnia?โ Timothy narrowed his eyes.
Zinniaโs lips twisted into a bitter smirk. โWasnโt it you who labeled me the family screw-up? Iโm just playing the part.โ
She knew in the Shawsโ eyes, sheโd always be a country bumpkinโcrude, unrefined, never matching their cherished Betty whoโd been coddled since infancy. What shot did a small-town girl have against their golden child?
โZinnia, Timothyโs just joking,โ Charles chimed in, trying to smooth things over. He realized they might have wronged her today.
โThatโs not even close to funny,โ Zinnia said flatly. Nobody enjoyed being mocked like this every day.
Donaldโs face burned with embarrassment, and he immediately shut up.
โZinnia,โ Maelis called softly, feeling her heart break seeing Zinniaโs defensive posture. She moved closer and wanted to pull Zinnia into a warm hug.
The Shaws never thought to check the security cameras by the pool. When Zinnia brought it up, they felt a sharp pang of guilt.
Theyโd avoided reviewing the footage because Zinnia had been such a problem in the past, like when she bullied Betty. Old patterns died hard.
But now they were having second thoughts. They realized they should have checked the camera first. After all, maybe there was a misunderstanding.
โThanks for looking out for me. Iโll move out,โ Zinnia said. She stepped back from Maelis, her eyes now cold and distant, stripped of all tenderness when looking at Maelis.
Zinnia knew dragging this out was pointless. The Shaws would always choose Bettyโhow could she, who hadnโt grown up with them, ever measure up to their cherished daughter?
โIf I canโt have all of it, I want none of it,โ Zinnia thought. That was what her master had always said.
A glint of triumph sparked in Bettyโs eyes. โWhat an idiot Zinnia is, walking away like this. Once sheโs out that door, Iโll make sure she never comes back.โ
โThis family is mine. Since the mistake had gone on this long, why not let it continue? Why did Zinnia have to show up and mess everything up?โ
Howard stood frozen, his eyes widening as he caught the subtle smirk on Bettyโs lips. He blinked hard. โWait, did I just see that? Did Betty actually look pleased that Zinnia was leaving?โ
Sensing Howardโs gaze, Betty felt a chill in her heart. She forced her smile into a troubled expression, faking distress.
Howard looked at her sad face and decided he mustโve imagined it.