Chapter 84

“Oh, you adorable sweetheart!” Yvette’s eyes lit up when she saw Zinnia, but quickly clouded with concern as they landed on her smudged face.

“How did you get so messy?” Her voice softened with sympathy. She gently cupped Zinnia’s face, carefully wiping away the white dust with her thumbs.

A soft, warm fragrance enveloped Zinnia. The hands holding her cheeks were incredibly smooth. She felt the gentle pressure as Yvette wiped.

Zinnia’s eyelashes fluttered as she looked up at the beautiful woman leaning close. She hadn’t expected such kindness, especially since her own daughter had just fought because of her. ‘Shouldn’t she be angry?’ Zinnia wondered.

“All clean now. Back to being a lovely girl.” Yvette smiled. “Now, how about a kiss from Mrs. Jenkins?”

Yvette couldn’t look away, clearly charmed by Zinnia’s sweet face. The soft skin under her fingertips felt like fine silk, making her heart swell with affection. She bent down and planted a smacking kiss on Zinnia’s cheek.

Yvette grinned, “Sweetie, whose little angel are you? Would you like to come home with me? I’ve got loads of pretty dresses and shiny jewelry – anything you want, I’ll get it for you.”

Still slightly bent, she gazed at Zinnia with gentle affection, already picturing taking her home.

Maisie’s eyes widened as she watched her mom’s bold moves.

She quickly pulled her mom back and explained to Zinnia, “My mom’s a total sucker for pretty faces. You’re gorgeous, so she’s smitten. Please don’t mind her.”

“It’s okay,” Zinnia murmured, her cheek still tingling. Though she was a little shy, after experiencing Maisie’s earlier surprise attack, Yvette’s kiss felt less startling. Besides, Yvette was so gentle, her gaze warm and caring. It made her feel like being cherished by a mom.

She’d seen Maelis treat Betty like this, but never experienced it herself. A small flicker of happiness warmed her chest as she looked at Yvette.

“Mom, just sit down,” Maisie said, relieved she’d stopped fussing. She started unpacking the stacked food containers. Delicious, sweet scents immediately filled the air – mango cakes, grape ice cream, chocolate-filled pancakes, honey toast, and sweet croissants.

“William, here you go,” Maisie said, plating a small assortment for him. “Sorry for the trouble.” Then, turning to Lia from Class 2, she added, “Miss Sharp, please have some too.”

“Thank you, Maisie. I’m indeed hungry now,” Lia said, smiling at the thoughtful girl. But her smile faded when she glanced at Betty, standing silently behind them and refusing to apologize. Lia felt a headache coming on.

Tom had already left to patrol the campus.

Maisie then turned to her mom, still staring intently at Zinnia.

“Mom, aren’t you going to have some?”

“I’m good. I ate before coming,” Yvette shook her head. She didn’t comment on her daughter pointedly ignoring the other two students. After all, they’d just been fighting, so clearly they weren’t on good terms.

“Zinnia, try this,” Maisie urged. “Our chef is amazing.”

“Yes, sweetheart, have a try,” Yvette echoed, her gentle gaze fixed on Zinnia. “Tell me what you like. I’ll have the chef make it specially for you.”

“Thank you, Mrs. Jenkins,” Zinnia said softly. Her eyes scanned the array of delicate pastries. Carefully avoiding the cream-filled ones, she picked up a sweet croissant. After class and the chaos, she realized how famished she was. Under Yvette’s warm gaze, Zinnia began nibbling tentatively.

Maisie grabbed a mango cake and took a big bite. The fight had wiped her out, and she was starving. Since she planned to treat the whole class to dinner later, she’d asked her mom to bring only snacks as a stopgap.

Anne’s brother, Hugo, arrived soon after. The man wore a well-fitted slate blue dress shirt tucked neatly into black trousers, emphasizing a lean waist.

Silver-framed glasses perched on his nose, lending a scholarly air to his sharp features.

He strode into the office, his gaze instantly finding Anne. Seeing no serious injuries, he sighed in relief, then frowned and took a position beside her.

“What are you doing here?” Anne frowned at Hugo, her voice dripping with irritation. ‘I called Dad. Why did this guy have to come?’ she thought.

“Dad’s busy, so he asked me to come,” Hugo replied flatly, clearly used to her hostility. He turned to Lia, “Sorry for the trouble, Miss Sharp."

“Betty!” Just then, a worried voice called from the doorway. Maelis rushed in with Yosef right behind her. He’d been home for lunch when Maelis took the call, overhearing Betty say she’d fought with Zinnia.

“Mom!” The instant Betty saw Maelis, her face crumpled. She looked up and cried out, her voice trembling and hoarse, tears streaming down her pale cheeks.

Maelis’s heart ached at the sight. She hurried over, wrapped her arms around Betty, and murmured soothingly, “Betty! Oh, my baby, don’t be scared. Mom’s here. I’ll fix this.”

“Mom!” Betty buried her face in Maelis’s arms, then deliberately tilted her tear-streaked, swollen face up for her mom to see.

Yosef’s frown deepened as he saw Betty’s swollen face. His sharp gaze snapped towards Zinnia, who was calmly eating her croissant, seemingly unconcerned.

He roared, “Zinnia! How dare you hit your sister? Is this what I taught you? Bullying her at home was bad enough. Now you attack her for no reason? How much more must she suffer? I never should have brought you home.”

Maelis’ heart also twisted seeing Betty’s swollen, red face, and anger surged within her. She whirled around, fixed furious eyes on Zinnia, and stormed towards her, hand raised high for a stinging slap.

Behind her, Betty watched with a subtle smirk playing on her lips.

Anne beside her caught the fleeting smirk and frowned.

A sharp gust of air followed as the raised hand sliced through the air. Zinnia froze, her pupils dilating in shock.

“Zinnia!”

“Sweetie!”

“Zinnia!”

Three voices cried out in alarm. No one expected Maelis to resort to violence.

“Mrs. Shaw, that’s too far.” A cold, deep voice cut through the air as Maelis’ hand was abruptly intercepted mid-swing.

Maelis’ furious eyes turned to the man blocking her. His face was icy, his grip on her wrist bone-crushing. She winced, her face contorted in pain.