Their Villain, The Mogul's Beloved

Chapter 221

Chapter 221

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That first night at the Lynn residence, Zinnia slept deeply. There was no rattling air conditioner or creeping

drafts-just perfect stillness. When she finally stirred the next morning, sunlight told her it was nearly ten before

she wandered downstairs.

Downstairs, Sofia was trimming her potted plants while Henry lounged in his favorite chair, sipping tea and

peering at the newspaper through his reading glasses.

“Zinnia, you're awake.” Sofia turned at the sound of footsteps, her face lighting up.

Zinnia looked much better today, her fresh-faced sweetness making them want to hug her.

Henry folded his paper with a rustle. “Benedict, tell the chef to prepare breakfast for Zinnia,” he called out,

grinning at her.

“Right away.” Benedict acknowledged before disappearing toward the kitchen.

“Good morning, Grandma, Grandpa,” Zinnia greeted them.

Sofia’s gaze lingered on Zinnia's faded outfit-the yellowed white tee and frayed jeans. “Didn’t Jackson leave

clothes for you, dear?”

“He did,” Zinnia replied, though she wasn’t sure why Sofia had asked. Her mind drifted to the walk-in closet full

of beautiful dresses-lovely things she’d never imagined could be meant

for her.

Instead, she still wore the clothes her master had given her. Though pilled and worn, they had always been

enough for her.

Her master would wear the sthreadbare clothes for years, yet never failed to buy her new seasonal outfits.

The contrast wasn’t lost on Zinnia.

“Don’t you like the clothes Jackson picked for you, dear?” Sofia asked gently. “Lettake you shopping-we can

even have selections brought to the house for you to choose.”

Misreading Zinnia’s hesitation as dissatisfaction, Sofia resolved to refresh her granddaughters wardrobe.

“That's not necessary, Grandma.” Zinnia shook her head. “I brought enough from Tareston.”

The truth was, what little money she had went toward medicinal herbs, leaving nothing for frivolities like clothes.

“These clothes were picked just for you,” Sofia insisted, her heart aching at Zinnia’s hesitation. She couldn't

believe her daughter had failed to provide such basic things for Zinnia.

Henry's cheerful face dimmed slightly. The Shaws’ neglect grew more appalling by the

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Chapter 221

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Sofia forced down her rising anger and took Zinnia’s hand. “Calong, dear. A beautiful girl should have

beautiful clothes.” She made a mental note to have strong words with her daughter later-this level of neglect

was simply unacceptable.

She guided Zinnia upstairs to the walk-in closet bursting with designer pieces.

“Really, Grandma, my clothes are fine,” Zinnia protested, uneasy about accepting such generosity. Debts of

kindness, she knew, were the hardest to repay.

“Fine? There's nothing fine about frayed edges.” Sofia’s voice held gentle firmness. “Zinnia, you're our princess

now, and princesses deserve proper clothes. Sit-I'll choose something for you.”

Practical as ever, Sofia recognized Zinnia’s discomfort and sighed quietly. ‘Those Shaws have done real damage.

Healing would take time!

Before Zinnia could protest, Sofia steered her toward the walk-in closet, selecting a butter- yellow sundress. “Try

this, darling,” she urged, smoothing the fabric. “It'll be perfect on you.”

sok

After breakfast, Zinnia approached Sofia again, her canvas bag in hand. “Grandma, | need to pick up sthings

in town.”

“Of course,” Sofia agreed easily. “What do you need? I'll have the car brought around.”

“Thank you, Grandma.” Zinnia accepted without argument. The Lynn residence’s remote location made taxis

both inconvenient and expensive. Besides, since she needed herbal supplies for Henry, she figured that using

the family car was simply practical.

“Zinnia, take this and buy yourself something nice,” Sofia said, pressing a card into her granddaughter’s hand.

“But Grandma, | have money,” Zinnia protested with a small frown,

Her master had left her smoney before he went away-enough to cover what she needed. And the herbs she

was after now weren't even pricey.

As for the rare ingredients, she’d settled that matter last night with a quick call made to Tareston. Someone

there had agreed to ship them to Jinston right away, and they should be arriving soon. Then she could get

started on Henry's medicine.

Today's agenda was simple-run errands and find a place to stay.

“Nonsense,” Sofia insisted, closing Zinnia’s fingers around the card, “Grandma’s money is different. Letspoil

you for once.”

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Chapter 221

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By now, Sofia had given up expecting much from her daughter's family when it cto Zinnia’'s wellbeing.

If Maelis had sent Zinnia any money, it would mean she still had a shred of decency left. If not, Sofia was ready

to tear into her again-exactly like the phone scolding she'd delivered after last night's dinner.

“Go ahead, dear. The car’s waiting out front,” Sofia said, tucking the credit card into Zinnia’s palm. “If you miss

lunch, call Jackson and make him treat you to something nice.”

Then she turned towards Henry and called out, “Henry, givea hand with these flowers, would you?”

Zinnia stared at the card, its weight familiar. It reminded her of the one from her master, still hidden in her

backpack.

As Zinnia walked out, she weighed the two cards in her mind. ‘Grandma's is undoubtedly loaded. After all, the

Lynns are famously wealthy. But Master's card..."

Her lips pressed together as she shook her head. Though she’d never checked the balance, she knew with

certainty it would be nearly empty. She could just picture her perpetually broke master scraping together

coppers for years to fill that card.

Back in Tareston, none of the town’s children had seen beyond their hometown. This vibrant city, bursting with

possibilities, made Zinnia determined to earn enough to show them the wider world someday.

Back at the Shaw residence, Maelis was always hovering. Every tZinnia tried to leave, the interrogation

began. “Where do you think you're going? What are you going to do?” Maelis would demand.

Betty would chin with faux concern, “Zinnia, you know Jinston is full of important people. You must be

careful. If you accidentally offend someone, call us immediately so we don’t worry.” The words sounded caring

but carried a clear warning.

Maelis ate it up. Soon, every attempt Zinnia made to go out was met with such intense scrutiny that she simply

stopped trying.

Now finally free from the Shaw residence Zinnia could move about ne che nlanced She

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