Chapter 90
Maisie grinned and gave Zinniaโs cheek a playful squeeze. โZinnia, would you like to be my little sister? Iโll always protect you. Just call me Maisie.โ
Having grown up in a loving family, Maisie never hesitated to share that love with others.
Yannis and Yvette watched silently from the sidelines, choosing not to interfere. After all, this was a matter between the two girls.
What mattered to Zinnia was also Maisieโs opinion.
Zinnia lowered her gaze, her eyes meeting Maisieโs warm, smiling ones. She pressed her lips together, hesitated for a moment, then softly called out, โMaisieโฆโ
โZinnia,โ Maisie beamed even more brightly upon hearing her words.
Yvette beamed at her and called out affectionately, โSweetheart.โ
Yvette and Maisie exchanged a glance and burst into giggles. Theyโd just landed themselves the cutest little gem. As total beauty fanatics, they both melted at the sight of Zinnia. โHow can Zinnia be so adorable?โ they both thought.
โYvette,โ Zinnia murmured, a shy smile playing at the corners of her lips.
โOh my. Iโm so happy today. Now I have two daughters,โ Yvette responded cheerfully, clicking her high heels excitedly as she did a happy little dance.
Yvette took out her phone from her handbag and said cheerfully, โCome on. Letโs treat Zinnia to something delicious.โ
Maisie looked at the freshly deposited 300 thousand dollars in her account, cupped Zinniaโs face, and gave her two quick pecks. โZinnia, youโre my lucky charm. Iโve really hit the jackpot today.โ
Yannisโs eyelid twitched as he watched. He grabbed Maisie by the scruff of her neck and pulled her away. โDid you brush your teeth?โ he muttered.
Yannis turned to Zinnia, his expression serious, and told her, โDonโt let just anyone kiss you, especially not on the face.โ
โOkay,โ Zinnia replied sweetly, unusually happy today and more obedient than usual.
โYannis, come on. Iโm not just anyone,โ Maisie rolled her eyes.
Yvette watched with amusement and then turned to Zinnia with a gentle smile. โSweetheart, could you give me your bank account details?โ
Zinnia wasnโt sure what Yvette was up to but gave her the account details anyway.
The very next second, a transfer of 300 thousand dollars hit her account. She was stunned.
โYvette, I canโt accept this,โ Zinnia said, suddenly feeling the phone burning in her hand.
Zinnia thought, โ300 thousand dollars isnโt a huge sum, but it feels weird that sheโd transfer that much to me when we barely know each other.โ
โItโs nothing, sweetheart. Itโs just your monthly allowance, the same as Maisie gets. If you ever need more, just tell me and I will send it over,โ Yvette beamed.
โJust take it. Your godmother is loaded,โ Yannis chimed in casually.
โExactly, Zinnia, just take it. This is nothing. When Mom is happy, she loves handing out money. And sheโs overjoyed today. Trust meโฆ thereโll be plenty more where that came from. Youโd better get used to it, Zinnia,โ Maisie said breezily.
Soon, they said goodbye to Yannis and Yvette. Yannis had urgent work to catch up on; heโd taken time off for this. Yvette had a skincare appointment in the afternoon.
With all the fuss, it was already 1 p.m. The school day ended at 11:20 a.m.
As they reached the bottom of the stairs and Zinnia and Maisie were about to head out for a meal, Yannis stopped, looked at her gently, and said, โIf you ever need anything, just call me. With Jackson away, Iโve got your back.โ
โAlright,โ Zinnia nodded.
Then the two girls went to rejoin their classmates.
โYannis, youโve got a thing for Zinnia, donโt you?โ Yvette teased as they walked out of school together, remembering how extra careful heโd been. She thought, โI bet even your dad, Layla, and Devin have never seen you so gentle before.โ
Yannis said leisurely, his gaze lingering on one of the retreating figures, โAunt Yvette, Zinnia gave me a herbal sachet. Now I can finally sleep. She knew about my insomnia and went out of her way to prepare it for me. She even promised to make me a calming tonic.โ
โZinnia can cure your insomnia?โ Yvette was stunned and then overjoyed, barely registering the meaning behind his lengthy explanation.
Yannisโs insomnia was the biggest headache for them. They had consulted every specialist imaginable, yet found no cure. It broke their hearts to see him suffer, yet there was nothing they could do.
โAunt Yvette,โ Yannis added, his voice softening with uncharacteristic warmth, โZinnia is such a sweetheart.โ
Yvette smiled gently, โOf course, I know. Donโt worry. Since I decided to take Zinnia as my goddaughter, I mean it with all my heart.โ
Yvette rolled her eyes at him. โOf course, I know Zinnia is an adorable sweetheart. Why else would I have taken her in as my goddaughter?โ she thought.
Then it dawned on Yvette that Yannis was actually showing off to her.
Yvette thought, โEver since I took Zinnia in as my goddaughter, Yannis has been a little jealous. Thatโs why heโs showing off, telling me about what Zinnia did for him, just to prove she cares about him too.โ She couldnโt help but laugh in frustration.
โYannis, wonโt you go back home? Youโve been back for a while now. Your dad must miss you. Actually, what happened back then wasnโt really his fault. That decision was agonizing for him tooโฆโ Yvette looked at him, her words trailing off.
โWeโll see. Iโm leaving now,โ Yannis said, his expression turning impassive.
Toby was already waiting outside in the car.
Yvette watched Yannis walk away and sighed, โYannis still hasnโt moved onโฆโ
Ethan and the others rushed over, concern written all over their faces. โHey, how did it go? Are you guys okay? You didnโt get scolded, did you?โ
The office door was shut tight. They waited outside, barely catching the heated argument inside, especially Maelisโs words, which really got their blood boiling.
They never thought a parent could act like that. It was unbelievable. They had never seen anyone like that before.
Maisie waved her hand casually. โDonโt worry. Everything is fine. The treat is off for now. When weโre free, Iโll take you all to celebrate Zinnia becoming my little sister and to thank you for helping us today. Itโs getting late, so letโs just grab something at the cafeteria.โ
Her words left them momentarily speechless.
Maisie grinned and couldnโt help but show off, โZinnia is officially my little sister now. Sheโs my momโs goddaughter too!โ
โReally? Congrats, Zinnia. And you too, Maisie.โ Since they hadnโt been listening outside the office, they still had no idea what had happened.
They smiled and congratulated Zinnia and Maisie, truly hoping Zinnia could break free from the Shaw family. Theyโd be genuinely happy for her if she did.
Just by watching Maisieโs free-spirited personality and the playful banter between her and Yvette, it was clear the Jenkins family had a super warm and loving vibe.
โOkay. Enough with sweet talk. Iโm starving,โ Maisie finally cut in after hearing enough compliments. โHave you guys eaten yet? If not, join us to just grab something at the cafeteria for now.โ
After all that commotion, it was almost 2 p.m. Going out to eat wasnโt practical anymore. They decided to just grab something quick and head out for dinner later.
โNope, we have been waiting for you guys,โ Ethan shook his head.
He thought, โHow can we even think about eating when the two of them still havenโt come out?โ
Ethan sighed regretfully, โToo bad Lydia isnโt here today. Evershine F5 is missing its chief strategist. If she were around, writing this reflection letter wouldnโt be such a pain. With Lydiaโs brains, sheโd rattle it off in no time, make me sound like a total hero, highlight my chivalrous spirit, and get the whole school buzzing about how awesome our class is.โ