CHAPTER 23: CHAPTER 23: CONGRATULATIONS TO THE DOG COUPLE ON THEIR REUNION

Zinnia only panicked for a moment; she had muscle memory from falling during dance practice. Just as she was about to twist her waist in mid-air for an aerial recovery, a large hand clamped down on her side.

Before Zinnia could react, her entire body felt light, her feet leaving the ground as she was lifted into the air.

Startled, Zinnia looked up and saw the man who had been missing for a whole week.

The mall’s ceiling lights were dazzling. He held her, his meticulously combed hair catching the light like stars, his handsome face like that of a deity. He was wearing a black shirt with a silver-gray checkered tie. His suit was an unconventional cut, featuring a peaked lapel design. This was paired with a silver brooch and a matching silver watch face, exuding an aristocratic arrogance that made others feel inferior.

Zinnia remained in his arms, dazed and unable to snap back to reality.

The man whispered in her ear, "What? You ran away from home for so long you can’t even recognize your own husband?"

Husband?

This was the first time Zinnia had ever heard him describe himself that way. Her ears flushed red, and she felt completely disoriented. It wasn’t until she discerned the cold mockery in Jenson’s eyes, rather than teasing, that she snapped out of her dream.

She pushed him away, jumped back to the ground, and said, "I certainly don’t. Especially when some dog is putting on such a convincing human act today."

Jenson almost laughed out of sheer anger. He had just saved her, only for her to imply he wasn’t human?

"Have you forgotten how to walk upright? Seems like all that’s left of you is your mouth. We are husband and wife. If I’m a dog husband, then you’re a dog wife."

Jenson steadied her, released his grip, and sneered, "Come on, congratulations to the happy dog couple on their reunion outing."

Zinnia was speechless.

Jenson is in a league of his own when it comes to being harsh, so ruthless he even insults himself. Zinnia’s face darkened as she conceded defeat.

"CEO... everyone’s still waiting," Timothy Cohen reminded him respectfully as he stepped forward.

Only then did Zinnia realize Jenson was clearly here on business. Two rows of elites in suits stood at the entrance of the shoe store, all focused on them, all waiting for him. In the presence of men who were clearly many years his senior, the man’s kingly aura was impossible to hide, his status immediately apparent.

Unsure if they had overheard her words, Zinnia’s face flushed, and she lowered her head.

Jenson turned to the store manager beside them, who was afraid to breathe. "Clean this floor and put down specialized mats in the shoe-fitting area. Don’t leave safety hazards like this."

The manager nodded profusely, even taking out a pen to take notes.

Jenson glanced at Zinnia once more without another word, then turned and walked away. A group of elites immediately swarmed around him. Unaffected by the earlier incident, his mind was sharp as he continued in a deep voice, "The marketing position for this area is problematic, and the advertising isn’t effective enough. Who advocated for continuing to use this outdated equipment and these facilities?"

As the group walked away, Yara Fairchild ran over, grabbing Zinnia’s hand and whispering with a low shriek, "I have to say, That dog Forrest really is impressive in both hardware and software. With that aura just now, I didn’t even dare to come over. If only he didn’t eat shit, he’d be perfect."

Zinnia replied helplessly, "Why do I feel like you’re insulting me?"

Yara’s eyes widened. "No way, is he still sleeping with you? Where have you two been hooking up? You live with me, how could I not know?"

Zinnia was speechless.

"By the way, is this mall owned by the Forrest Group?"

Zinnia lowered her head and continued trying on shoes, no longer wanting to talk to Yara. But it seemed fate had decreed she would not be buying shoes in peace today.

A sharp female voice cut in from behind. "Hilarious. Some people try so desperately to marry into a rich family, only to end up shopping at a common shoe store. Aren’t you afraid of disgracing the Forrest Family?"

Zinnia looked up and turned to see Crystal Sutton standing side-by-side with Sienna Forrest, looking like sisters. The one who had just made that sarcastic jab was Sienna Forrest.

She was Fourth Master Forrest’s daughter and ranked sixth in Jenson’s generation. Before Zinnia arrived at the Forrest Family, Sienna had been the youngest and only girl, so she was always doted on.

She enjoyed this unique status. But then Zinnia was adopted, becoming Cecilia Lawrence. Although she didn’t take the Forrest surname, she took a number in the family ranking and, worse, had Jenson’s protection. Whatever Sienna had, Jenson made sure Zinnia had it too. Most of the time, what Jenson gave Zinnia was even better than what the Forrest Family prepared for Sienna.

How could the noble Sixth Miss Forrest tolerate that?

Thus, Zinnia had been a thorn in her side since childhood. It was only natural that Sienna and Crystal became close friends.

"Do you like the shoes in this store, big sister? Pick whatever you want. I’ll buy them for you; they’re not expensive anyway," Crystal said magnanimously as she walked over. She seemed to have amnesia, having apparently forgotten being beaten.

Zinnia waved a hand at the sales assistant. "For these two rows of shoes, bring out one of every size. She’s paying."

She pointed at Crystal, whose smile instantly froze. "Sister..."

Yara rolled her eyes. "If you can’t afford it, then shut up. God, it’s so annoying when people flaunt the very thing they lack!"

"It’s not that I can’t afford it, or that I’m unwilling to pay for you, Sister. It’s just... that’s so many shoes. You can’t possibly wear them all. It’s such a waste..."

"Weren’t you the one who told me to pick whatever I want? Well, I’ve picked. What do you care if I buy them to wear or to smack a bitch in the face? What, did the last thrashing not hurt enough? You’ve already forgotten the pain?"

Crystal was suddenly reminded of the welts Zinnia had left on her with a feather duster. They had taken a full week to fade. She took a step back, her expression turning ugly.

Yara immediately grabbed a shoe, swinging it menacingly. "I’ll give them this, these shoes have great rebound. Smacking a bitch in the face with this would be so satisfying."

Crystal shrank back in fear, but Sienna stepped forward, furious. "Who are you calling a bitch!?"

"Whoever answered, of course. If the shoe fits, why bother asking?" Yara retorted with an eye-roll.

Sienna was so angry it looked like steam was about to pour from her ears. She swung her handbag, ready to fight, but Crystal held her back. "Forget it, Sienna. Since my sister doesn’t appreciate my kind gesture, let’s go across the way and keep shopping for bags. You pick out a few nice ones. My treat."

She pulled Sienna away, and Yara couldn’t resist whispering to Zinnia, "Is she some kind of wealth-scattering goddess or just a rich family’s idiot? Will she break out in hives if she doesn’t gift things to people?"

Zinnia shrugged, but Sienna, having overheard, spun back around and tilted her chin up. "What do you know! Third Brother came to inspect the mall today, and he already said that anything Crystal likes gets put on his tab. Don’t talk about just a few bags; even if I picked out a whole truckload, Crystal could afford to gift them to me."

Damn it! That dog Jenson... He saw Zinnia just now and didn’t say a word about putting her purchases on his tab. Unbelievable. He won’t spend money on his wife, but he’ll sponsor some bitch to humiliate her?

"Zinnia..." Yara was filled with regret. She shouldn’t have been so quick with her tongue, only to end up hurting Zinnia.

Zinnia’s expression was blank as she looked at Sienna. "Thanks for the reminder, Sixth Sis. I’m going to the supermarket to buy a big pair of scissors right now. Half of everything your Third Brother owns is mine, so whatever you buy, I’ll just come by and snip it in half."

"You! If you’re jealous of Crystal, just say so! Stop with the snarky comments."

"Jealousy requires being the same species. My Zinnia is a goddess. Why would she be jealous of how ugly you two are, with all your plastic surgery?"

Yara’s comment nearly made Sienna jump up and down in a rage. Seeing a fight was about to break out, Crystal worried that making a scene would attract Jenson’s attention, which would be bad. She quickly dragged Sienna away for good.

Yara grabbed Zinnia’s arm. "I take back what I said about that dog man having an impressive aura. Jenson is a scumbag, a pathetic loser, and a total creep! He and that bitch deserve each other!"

Zinnia patted her hand. "Let’s not talk about them. It’s depressing."

Having lost all interest in shopping, Zinnia said directly to the sales assistant, "Just this pair I have on my feet. Please wrap them up for me."

She took the shoes off and handed them to the clerk, who smiled and said, "Of course, miss. I’ll go get you a new pair to wrap up. This is a display model."

Zinnia nodded, not thinking anything of it.

The sales assistant watched them leave, then took the display shoes off the shelf and hurried to the stockroom. Her phone buzzed, and she answered it.

"Make sure the shoes are dealt with," Crystal ordered, her voice laced with irritation. She had wanted to teach Zinnia a lesson, preferably by making her fall and break a leg. She never expected Jenson to show up so conveniently. How could that bitch be so lucky!

"Don’t worry, Miss Sutton." The clerk flipped the shoe over, revealing the sole, which was smeared with grease.

After leaving the shoe store, Zinnia and Yara went upstairs to a restaurant to eat. They ordered hotpot. The oily, fiery broth filled the air with a numbing, fragrant aroma even before it began to boil.

Zinnia actually loved spicy food. She had been influenced from a young age by Old Mrs. Sutton, who was from the Emberlands. The Forrest family’s tastes, however, were all on the milder side. As someone living under the Forrests’ roof, she had learned to endure and conform. Even at Sovereign Court, she prepared bland dishes daily.

She was always prepared for Jenson to come home. Every meal she ate alone was another serving of disappointment.

"Oh, sweetie! Are you okay? Let Mommy see!"

At the next table, a young mother had accidentally knocked over a glass while pouring water. Hot water splashed out, and though her own arm was burned, her first instinct was to pull her daughter out of the nearby high chair and check on her anxiously.

Zinnia watched, lost in thought. Yara placed a few slices of cooked fish in her bowl. "The fish here is sliced well. Eat more. Your little baby needs nutrients. There’s an old saying: cravings for spicy food mean it’s a girl, sour for a boy. Looks like you’re going to give me a goddaughter."

Zinnia snapped back to reality. "I haven’t decided yet..."

Yara didn’t say anything. She just slid her phone over. On the screen was a picture she had just taken of Zinnia while she was daydreaming.

"Look at that smile. You’re practically glowing with maternal love. I’d be shocked if you could actually bring yourself to give up the baby. If you want it, then keep it. Worst case, I’ll shave my head and be the baby’s dad. It’s no big deal."