Chapter 89

“She threatened us,” Zinnia told Maisie.

Zinnia didn’t take Betty’s threat to heart. She thought, ‘If she dares lay a hand on me again, I won’t hold back. I’ve still got a stash of poison powder I haven’t even used yet. I wouldn’t mind testing it on her.’

“Hey, Mrs. Shaw, Betty just threatened Zinnia. She might go after Zinnia again. Better get ready to clear up the mess again,” Maisie called out loudly to Maelis and the others who hadn’t gone far.

Yvette and Yannis just glanced at her, saying nothing and making no move to stop her.

In front of them, Yosef paused and turned to look at Betty beside him.

“Yosef, do you really believe them? We grew up together. You know what kind of person I am. I just lost my temper today…” Betty pleaded, her voice tinged with grievance.

She had never imagined Zinnia would be so shameless as to actually say those things. Feeling the chill of Yosef’s gaze, she bit her lip and looked at him with a wounded gaze.

“Betty, don’t provoke Zinnia again,” Yosef said firmly, looking into her eyes.

“I’ve got work to attend to. Mom, the driver will take you home.” With that, he strode off without looking back.

“Mom, is Yosef mad at me?” Betty asked, shrinking under his cold, piercing gaze that made her feel as if her thoughts were exposed. A chill ran through her as she leaned into Maelis, her voice trembling with feigned hurt and sadness.

Her face was pale, her eyes still red and swollen, and the slap mark on her cheek was still visible.

Maelis hugged Betty tighter. “Of course not. Yosef loves you. He’s just swamped with work. If anyone messed up today, it’s Zinnia. It was outrageous of her to team up with a stranger to gang up on us. She’s completely clueless. I can’t even think of her as my daughter.”

The more Maelis thought about it, the angrier she became. Her voice grew sharper at the mention of Zinnia.

“Mom, how does Zinnia know Yannis?” Betty asked.

Maelis frowned, “Who knows? Jackson is friends with Yannis. Maybe she met him through Jackson.”

She sneered again, “I really don’t know what kind of friends Jackson’s making these days. Yannis has no manners at all. No wonder he acts like he was raised without a mother.”

When she heard it was Jackson, Betty gritted her teeth in fury. She tried to get close to him for years, but he never once introduced her to them. Yet, he brought Zinnia to meet them.

“Mom, watch what you say.” Hearing Maelis’ comment about Yannis, Betty warned, glancing around to make sure no one was nearby before frowning at Maelis.

“Alright, alright,” Maelis muttered, realizing what she’d just blurted out and quickly shutting her mouth.

Yannis’s mother was a taboo in high society. Anyone who brought her up never ended well.

“Mom, Yannis isn’t like that. He was only acting that way because of Zinnia. Who would’ve thought she’d go to him instead of you? Maybe someone said something to turn him against us,” Betty said slowly.

“Who else but Zinnia? That little snitch. I honestly don’t know how I ended up with a daughter like her,” Maelis fumed, just the mention of Zinnia making her angrier.

Betty listened in silence, her eyes chilling. ‘Zinnia is such a clingy nuisance,’ she thought.

Zinnia and the others had no idea what Maelis was saying, not that they would care even if they knew. The feud was now set in stone.

“Have you eaten yet? How about I take you out to eat?” Yannis said, his eyes fixed on Zinnia even as he addressed them both.

“Don’t bother. We promised to treat our classmates since they helped us today,” Maisie waved her hand.

“No, thanks.” Zinnia also shook her head.

“Alright then. Enjoy lunch with your classmates. Call me if you need anything.” Yannis didn’t insist, simply taking out his phone.

Maisie felt her phone buzz, pulled it out, and her eyes went wide in shock.

“Yannis, you’re the best. I love you,” she exclaimed. “Come on, Zinnia. Let’s splurge on a fancy lunch today,” Maisie beamed with joy as she saw the newly deposited 300 thousand dollars in her account.

“You’re spoiling her,” Yvette said, casting a helpless glance at Yannis.

“They had a rough day today. Let them cheer up with some good food,” Yannis replied, slipping his phone into his pocket. He ruffled Zinnia’s hair and added, “Order whatever you like.”

“Thank you for everything today,” Zinnia said softly, her clear eyes calm as she looked at them.

Yvette said with a warm smile, “That’s what we should do. We’re family now. Zinnia, if you don’t mind, let me be your godmother. From now on, you can call me Yvette. If you ever need anything, just call me, and come visit us often with Maisie. Here’s my welcome gift.”

With gentle affection, Yvette took Zinnia’s hand and slipped her pearl bracelet from her wrist onto Zinnia’s, before Zinnia could refuse. She smiled brightly, her eyes twinkling as she looked at Zinnia.

“Zinnia, you’re my little sister now.” Maisie watched gleefully while Yannis was speechless. ‘What kind of messed up family tree is this?’ he thought.

Yvette’s words left Zinnia at a loss. Yvette seemed so sincere and spoke so gently that Zinnia found herself drawn to her.

Not knowing what to say, Zinnia looked up at Yannis. Whenever she felt uncertain, she instinctively sought someone she could rely on.

Yannis’s presence today had quietly carved out a place for him in her heart, not because he was Jackson’s friend, but because she truly liked him for who he was.

“If you like us, then go ahead and recognize her as your godmother. If you don’t, that’s perfectly fine. Either way, I’ll always protect you. Just follow your heart,” Yannis said, secretly pleased by how much she depended on him.

“Sweetheart, are you really going to turn me down?” Yvette pouted, shot her unhelpful nephew a glare, and then looked at Zinnia with puppy eyes. She tugged playfully at the hem of Zinnia’s dress and swayed it, acting all cute and pleading.

Zinnia hesitated. She glanced at Maisie, unsure if Maisie would be willing to share Yvette with her. After what happened with Betty, Zinnia felt a bit scared.

“Zinnia, don’t you want to be my little sister?” Maisie pouted, her eyes pleading. “Come on. Just say yes. I’ll protect you from now on. Am I really going to miss out on having a sister?” Maisie wondered.

“Would you mind if I shared your mom with you?” Zinnia murmured, biting her lip and lowering her head.

Maisie replied warmly, “Zinnia, I’m nothing like Betty. I’ve always been an only child, and having you with me would make me so happy. I’ve always wanted a sibling. My parents are wonderful. You’ll love them, I promise.”

As soon as she finished, Zinnia instantly understood and wrapped her arm around her shoulder, affectionately nuzzling her cheek.

Maisie thought, ‘Zinnia’s parents never treated her well, but my parents are so kind. I can share my parents with her. We can both be loved by my parents.’

Maisie said earnestly, “Zinnia, I truly want us to be family. You’ll have another set of parents, and I’ll get the most adorable little sister. How perfect is that?”

Maisie bent down to meet Zinnia’s gaze, her smile bright and full of warmth.