Chapter 178
Chapter 178
Zinnia had just stepped out of her room when the doorbell rang. Assuming it was the food delivery, she went to answer. But as soon as she opened the door, a thunderous roar exploded in her ears.
James bellowed, “You damn brat! Been back this long and not once come home? Do I have to come fetch you myself?”
Zinnia blinked up at James.
James was in his early sixties. His piercing eyes shone with vitality, and his weathered, wrinkled face bore the marks of time. His hair was already streaked with gray.
His posture was ramrod straight, clad in a sharp black suit that amplified his commanding presence. With hawk–like intensity, his piercing gaze swept the empty living room, his brows drawn together in a deep frown.
Zinnia noticed James bore a faint resemblance to Yannis.
“Mr. Perkins, look down,” Victor whispered.
James frowned in confusion. At 6‘ tall, he towered over Zinnia, who was only 5’3“. Not expecting anyone else to be in Yannis’s apartment, he didn’t even bother to look down. So he completely missed Zinnia standing right in front of him.
“Sir, are you looking for Yannis?” Zinnia asked.
Hearing the soft, sweet voice, it was as if someone had flipped a switch in James; his fierce expression frozenid–snarl. Only when he looked down did he notice Zinnia.
Zinnia wore a soft pink dress, her silky hair cascading over her shoulders and neck. Her features were delicate and pure, with eyes that sparkled like polished gemstones.
She was stunningly pretty, her makeup–free face utterly captivating, and so endearing that one just wanted to protect her.
James felt his tough exterior just melt away. Only then did he realize that the living room looked nothing like Yannis’s place. He thought he might have come to the wrong apartment.
As for the “Yannis” Zinnia mentioned, James didn’t even register it, being too caught up in the moment.
James was halfway through the door when he abruptly pulled back. He said, “My apologies, young lady. Wrong place.” He then closed the door with exaggerated lightness, afraid even the slightest sound might startle Zinnia inside.
James moved with such fluid efficiency that Zinnia didn’t even get a chance to speak.
hy’d you bring me to some young lady’s
James frowned and grumbled to Victor, “Victor, what the hell! I told you to take me to that damn brat’s place. Why’d apartment instead? Hope we didn’t scare the poor girl just now.”
Victor, still a bit dazzled by Zinnia he’d just seen, adjusted his reading glasses and muttered to himself, “This is Yannis’s place. Or are my eyes playing tricks on me?”
He glanced up at the doorplate, double–checking the address. Then he said, “This is the place.”
James frowned. Before he could say anything else to Victor, the door swung open again.
Zinnia said, “Sir, are you looking for Yannis? He’s at work and hasn’t come back yet. Why don’t you come in and take a seat first?”
The moment James saw Zinnia, his stern expression softened. The deep frown between his brows relaxed as he consciously modulated his voice to sound gentle. He said, “So this is Yannis’s place after all. We two old fellows thought we’d gotten the wrong apartment.”
Zinnia nodded and said, “Yannis isn’t back yet. Please come in and make yourselves comfortable. I’ll get you some water.” She opened the door wider to
Wed, T8 Jun
Chapter 178
let them
went in, then
over
to the
kitchen to
pour
them
a each
glass of
water.
James
Victor,
and whispered, turned to Victor you don’t think she’s
my
“What’s future daughter–in–law,
girl doing a young
do you?
in that
damn
brat’s
He should’ve place?
given
me a
heads–up.
