Come in 84
Posted on July 07, 2025 ยท 0 mins read
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Chapter 84

โ€œOh, you adorable sweetheart!โ€ Yvetteโ€™s eyes lit up when she saw Zinnia, but quickly clouded with concern as they landed on her smudged face.

โ€œHow did you get so messy?โ€ Her voice softened with sympathy. She gently cupped Zinniaโ€™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.

Zinniaโ€™s eyelashes fluttered as she looked up at the beautiful woman leaning close. She hadnโ€™t expected such kindness, especially since her own daughter had just fought because of her. โ€˜Shouldnโ€™t she be angry?โ€™ Zinnia wondered.

โ€œAll clean now. Back to being a lovely girl.โ€ Yvette smiled. โ€œNow, how about a kiss from Mrs. Jenkins?โ€

Yvette couldnโ€™t look away, clearly charmed by Zinniaโ€™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 Zinniaโ€™s cheek.

Yvette grinned, โ€œSweetie, whose little angel are you? Would you like to come home with me? Iโ€™ve got loads of pretty dresses and shiny jewelry โ€“ anything you want, Iโ€™ll get it for you.โ€

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

Maisieโ€™s eyes widened as she watched her momโ€™s bold moves.

She quickly pulled her mom back and explained to Zinnia, โ€œMy momโ€™s a total sucker for pretty faces. Youโ€™re gorgeous, so sheโ€™s smitten. Please donโ€™t mind her.โ€

โ€œItโ€™s okay,โ€ Zinnia murmured, her cheek still tingling. Though she was a little shy, after experiencing Maisieโ€™s earlier surprise attack, Yvetteโ€™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.

Sheโ€™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.

โ€œMom, just sit down,โ€ Maisie said, relieved sheโ€™d stopped fussing. She started unpacking the stacked food containers. Delicious, sweet scents immediately filled the air โ€“ mango cakes, grape ice cream, chocolate-filled pancakes, honey toast, and sweet croissants.

โ€œWilliam, here you go,โ€ Maisie said, plating a small assortment for him. โ€œSorry for the trouble.โ€ Then, turning to Lia from Class 2, she added, โ€œMiss Sharp, please have some too.โ€

โ€œThank you, Maisie. Iโ€™m indeed hungry now,โ€ 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.

โ€œMom, arenโ€™t you going to have some?โ€

โ€œIโ€™m good. I ate before coming,โ€ Yvette shook her head. She didnโ€™t comment on her daughter pointedly ignoring the other two students. After all, theyโ€™d just been fighting, so clearly they werenโ€™t on good terms.

โ€œZinnia, try this,โ€ Maisie urged. โ€œOur chef is amazing.โ€

โ€œYes, sweetheart, have a try,โ€ Yvette echoed, her gentle gaze fixed on Zinnia. โ€œTell me what you like. Iโ€™ll have the chef make it specially for you.โ€

โ€œThank you, Mrs. Jenkins,โ€ 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 Yvetteโ€™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, sheโ€™d asked her mom to bring only snacks as a stopgap.

Anneโ€™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.

โ€œWhat are you doing here?โ€ Anne frowned at Hugo, her voice dripping with irritation. โ€˜I called Dad. Why did this guy have to come?โ€™ she thought.

โ€œDadโ€™s busy, so he asked me to come,โ€ Hugo replied flatly, clearly used to her hostility. He turned to Lia, โ€œSorry for the trouble, Miss Sharp."

โ€œBetty!โ€ Just then, a worried voice called from the doorway. Maelis rushed in with Yosef right behind her. Heโ€™d been home for lunch when Maelis took the call, overhearing Betty say sheโ€™d fought with Zinnia.

โ€œMom!โ€ 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.

Maelisโ€™s heart ached at the sight. She hurried over, wrapped her arms around Betty, and murmured soothingly, โ€œBetty! Oh, my baby, donโ€™t be scared. Momโ€™s here. Iโ€™ll fix this.โ€

โ€œMom!โ€ Betty buried her face in Maelisโ€™s arms, then deliberately tilted her tear-streaked, swollen face up for her mom to see.

Yosefโ€™s frown deepened as he saw Bettyโ€™s swollen face. His sharp gaze snapped towards Zinnia, who was calmly eating her croissant, seemingly unconcerned.

He roared, โ€œZinnia! 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.โ€

Maelisโ€™ heart also twisted seeing Bettyโ€™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.

โ€œZinnia!โ€

โ€œSweetie!โ€

โ€œZinnia!โ€

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

โ€œMrs. Shaw, thatโ€™s too far.โ€ A cold, deep voice cut through the air as Maelisโ€™ hand was abruptly intercepted mid-swing.

Maelisโ€™ 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.


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