Chapter <b>401 </b>


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    “Yannis, I got it. No dating, I promise. Can we have dinner now?” Zinnia said tly, her expression nk. She’d endured Yannis‘ half–hour lecture on dating dangers. She marveled at how convincingly he’d warned against romance–despite zero personal experience.


    He listed every dating disaster: ruined grades, swindled money, heartbroken sobs. He even shared a horrific


    story.


    A woman trapped in a nightmare marriage. Her husband starved her. She foraged for wild nts while perpetually pregnant, trailing screaming children. Later, her body became amodity–kidneys harvested, organs ripped out. Her corpse was wrapped in a mat and tossed to wolves.


    Zinnia shuddered. She had to admit, Yannis‘ warnings had left quite an impression–not that she’d ever even considered dating before, but after his terrifying tale today, she was genuinely spooked.


    Just the thought of dating gave her a splitting headache. ‘No dating, absolutely not! If I date, I’ll lose my kidneys,‘ she warned herself.


    “Zinnia, I’m not banning dating,” Yannis said. “It’s just that you’re still young and could easily get tricked. What if someone really swept you away?”


    He nced at her determined eyes. In Maisie’s words, she looked as steadfast as a soldier. It seemed she’d really taken his words to heart. He finally rxed a little.


    “Okay, no dating,” Zinnia vowed.


    Relieved she wasn’t annoyed, Yannis cleared his throat and added, “If you like someone, bring him to me. If he’s decent, I won’t stop you. But right now, your top priority is your studies.


    “In college, you’ll have great options. Let’s just forget about those high school punks,” he said, while thinking to himself, ‘Having a girl in family really doese with endless worries.”


    Raising a girl was nothing like raising a boy. People had to worry about every little thing, and always feared some guy might lead her astray.


    Jackson entrusted Zinnia to him. ‘If she really runs off with someone, Jackson will skin me alive. For my own safety, I’d better keep a <i>close </i>eye on her, he thought.


    “Okay,” Zinnia replied obediently.


    “Alright, let’s go.” Yannis said warmly, “I made buffalo wings and BBQ ribs.”


    “You made two meat dishes today!” Zinnia’s eyes lit up with delight.


    Yannis teased, “Anyone hearing you would think I starve you.” If it weren’t for her doctor’s orders, he’d make her a whole feast.


    “Come on, let’s go eat.” Zinnia bounced up from the bed. “Ribs get tough and dried out if they sit too long.”


    Outside the window, thest light of sunset was filtering in after Yannis‘ earlier talking had made the actual


    11:59 Fri, <b>Oct </b><b>3 </b>M…


    sun dip below the horizon.


    .6)


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    “Be careful. If you fall, I’m not catching you,” Yannis called out with mock sternness as he quickly strode over


    to her bed.


    “Where are my slippers?” Zinnia asked, looking down and not seeing her slippers.


    Yannis had carried her straight in without changing her shoes. “Wait here. I’ll get them,” he said, turning to leave. “Don’t step on the floor barefoot.”


    Zinnia had been about to step down anyway, but he caught her intention.


    Though her bedroom was carpeted, the living area wasn’t. With Zinnia’s frail health, walking barefoot on those chilly tiles might make her sick.


    Yannis was back in seconds with her slippers. Seeing Zinnia sitting patiently on the edge of the bed, he ced them at her feet. “Alright then, Your Highness,” he said with amusement, “your slippers await.”


    The yful tone tickled her ears, making them feel warm. “Yannis, you actually keep up with the trends now?” she eximed, sliding her feet into the slippers and looking at him in surprise.


    “I’m not some fossilized boomer,” Yannis said wryly.


    Ever since she’d spouted some inte ng that left himpletely baffled, he’d made his assistantpile a list of trending online terms–no way was he letting her pull some cryptic Gen–Z vanishing act without him catching on.


    “Get yourself sorted,” he said, heading for the door. “I’ll go dish up the ribs.”


    Zinnia was still in the dress she’d worn to the party, and it was now wrinkles. “Alright,” she replied.


    Yannis turned and walked out of the room. He had only meant to check if Zinnia was awake, never expecting to end up staying so long.


    After a full afternoon’s nap, Zinnia found herselfpletely refreshed.


    Maelis pped her, and she pped back–that settled most of her anger. Not fighting back would have eaten her alive.


    That p onlynded because she was totally caught off guard. If Maelis had faced Zinnia head–on and had a real fight, Zinnia might’ve given her some credit. But ambushes? Stalking? Cowardice suited her.


    Zinnia sighed. Maybe she and the Shaw family were just fundamentally ipatible. She’d disliked them. from the start. Even if they lived under the same roof for a while, some things just weren’t meant to be.


    And she swore that, if Maelis tried to hit her again, she wouldn’t hold back.


    <b>***** </b>


    The next day, Zinnia went to school.


    11:59 Fri, <b>Oct </b><b>3 </b>M


    …


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    The moment Zinnia stepped into the ssroom, Lydia rushed over, dragged her to her seat. Her eyes locked onto Zinnia’s face, a cold fury burning in her eyes. “How dare Maelis hit you?” Lydia seethed.


    Looking into Lydia’s worried eyes, Zinnia said softly, “Lydia, I’m fine<i>.” </i>


    Lydia remained silent, her fingers gently tracing Zinnia’s cheek. Even after their video callst night confirmed the swelling had subsided, Lydia couldn’t rest easy until she saw it with her own eyes.


    The skin was smooth and normal now, but the memory of yesterday’s p made rage burn inside her.


    “It’s healed and doesn’t hurt at all. Don’t worry,” Zinnia said.


    “Zinnia, I’m really sorry about yesterday,” Ethan turned around from the front row, his voice thick with guilt.


    Zinnia blinked in confusion. “Huh?”


    “If we hadn’t invited the Shaw family, you wouldn’t have had to go through all that.”


    “It’s okay,” she said. “Maelis has held a grudge against me for a long time. Even if she hadn’t hit me this time, she’d have jumped at the chanceter.”


    The incident urred at the Bacon residence so they sent apology gifts immediately. However, it was actually the Shaw family who should have made amends. A major celebration marred by such a scene. The hosts were understandably upset.


    But Zinnia was a benefactor to the Bacon family. Not only had she given a generous gift to the Bacon family’s youngest great–grandson, but she’d also helped Ethan before. So when this happened, the Bacon family felt deeply embarrassed and immediately sent her apology gifts.


    “Zinnia, are you really okay?” Ethan asked cautiously, his eyes scanning her cheek.


    No one had expected Maelis to go that crazy. It shocked everyone. Families might feud privately, but no one brought dirtyundry like that into such a formal and important asion. Maelis‘ behavior was beyond stupid. <fn26ff> Latest content published on find[?]ovel</fn26ff>


    “I’m fine now, really,” Zinnia nodded reassuringly. By yesterday afternoon, most of the swelling and redness had faded. And she’d applied some special ointmentst night. Today, she waspletely fine.


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