CHAPTER 83: CHAPTER 83: ZINNIA LAWRENCE STRIKES BACK, GIVING CRYSTAL A RUTHLESS BEATING

On the way back, Zinnia relaxed considerably. She had not only passed Lise’s interview but had also informed her about the pregnancy, explaining that she would only be able to dance again after the baby was born next year.

Whether Lise accepted was her choice, but Zinnia couldn’t deceive or hide the truth. She had also told Lise that even if she were rejected, she would still go to H Country and reapply next year. To Zinnia’s surprise, after some thought, Lise decided to give her the opportunity.

Lise said that she’d also had a baby when she was young but had chosen to give it up for the sake of her dance career, a decision she now regretted. As she grew older, her perspective changed. She no longer believed that a good female dancer had to sacrifice motherhood to maintain her physical condition and figure. She believed a woman’s life experience brought a unique brilliance to a dancer and that understanding life led to understanding dance.

Zinnia asked Lise to keep her pregnancy a secret, and Lise agreed.

* * *

Alaric Hawthorne escorted Zinnia back to the hotel. On the way, Zinnia called the police.

By the time they arrived, the police were already there. They recorded a simple statement and took the insulated mug and other items from the hotel room for investigation. After the police left, Alaric Hawthorne’s expression was grim.

"The surveillance is broken, and the mug has likely been wiped clean. Zinnia, don’t get your hopes up."

Alaric Hawthorne speculated that the police wouldn’t make much progress, as the culprit was evidently well-prepared. The time Zinnia spent heading to the airport was more than enough time to hide the evidence.

Zinnia had considered this. Worried about her baby, she had drunk a large amount of water, which would likely render any blood tests inconclusive. Besides, she was physically unharmed—she had just fallen asleep for a while—so the police wouldn’t treat the case with much urgency.

But how could Zinnia swallow this insult?

"Zinnia, are you alright? Was it Sutton the Bitch?"

Just then, Yara Fairchild rushed in. Upon hearing Zinnia’s update, she kicked over a chair in a fit of rage.

"What the hell are the police doing? How does the surveillance in a major hotel like this just ’conveniently’ break? This is obviously suspicious! Dammit!"

"Crystal Sutton must have arranged everything in advance before she dared to act," Zinnia sneered.

"So what do we do? Just let it go?"

Zinnia shook her head and looked at Alaric Hawthorne. "Alaric, can I borrow a few of your men?"

A pleased smile touched Alaric Hawthorne’s lips. "Of course. I was afraid you wouldn’t ask for my help. Are you sure you only need a few men?"

「An hour later.」

The Rose Club was hosting a small wine-tasting party that evening. In the club’s largest private suite, the lights were dazzling and the atmosphere was one of sheer luxury. A beautiful cellist in a long gown played softly.

Sienna Forrest stood up, raising her wine glass. "Tonight’s wine tasting is also a celebration of Crystal’s first successful solo recital," she announced, and everyone applauded in congratulations.

Crystal Sutton then stood up with her glass, which was filled with juice.

"The hardest part isn’t finding a good wine, but finding someone to share it with. I can’t drink because of my health, but my celebratory mood is the same as everyone else’s tonight..."

Though she spoke to everyone, her eyes gazed tenderly at a tall figure not far away. Everyone followed her gaze to where Jenson Forrest stood in a black suit, exuding a noble and composed aura while drinking and discussing business with Miles Chase and Finn Quinn.

The gathering had been organized by Finn Quinn. Jenson Forrest hadn’t wanted to come, but Finn had planted himself in his office and refused to leave. Jenson only realized Crystal Sutton was present after he arrived, and sensing the crowd’s eyes on him, he shot her a cold, warning look.

Crystal Sutton’s smile froze. Just as she sat down, someone spoke up probingly.

"Why can’t Crystal drink wine? Could it be..."

The words were heavy with implication, and everyone’s eyes drifted toward Crystal Sutton’s belly.

Crystal Sutton lowered her head, rubbing her stomach.

Sienna Forrest was about to drop another hint, but before she could speak, the suite door was suddenly thrown open. Several men in black shoved a server who was blocking the path to the ground, causing a commotion.

Everyone looked over in surprise. Zinnia strode in, flanked by two rows of black-suited bodyguards who cleared a path for her. She looked impossibly chic and cool, dressed in a flowy, dark green silk shirt, casual wide-legged trousers, and a long, coffee-colored trench coat. Her hair was loosely swept up with an ebony wood pin.

Following closely behind her was Yara Fairchild. Yara was dressed like a college student in a black sweatsuit with her hair in a high ponytail. Yet, she also wore sunglasses and had a long, thin cigarette dangling incongruously from her lips. Her entire vibe screamed "looking for a fight."

Their sudden entrance left everyone in the suite stunned. By the time they regained their composure, Zinnia had already reached the main table.

"Zinnia! Who let you in, what are you—Ah! Let go!"

Sienna Forrest stood up, but before she could finish, Yara grabbed her arm and yanked her forcefully aside, flinging her away. Sienna screamed as she stumbled to the ground. She wasn’t hurt, but she was thoroughly humiliated, her face livid with rage.

"You brute!" Sienna shrieked at Yara.

"Watch where you’re going," Yara retorted with a glare.

Crystal Sutton quickly stood up. "Zinnia, what is the meaning of this—"

Before she could finish, Zinnia raised her hand and, without a word, delivered two hard slaps across her face.

"Ah! Are you crazy? Jenson! Help me—Ah!"

Crystal Sutton staggered from the two solid slaps, her ears ringing as her cheeks immediately flushed and began to swell. She shrieked for help and lunged, trying to scratch Zinnia’s face. But Yara wasn’t about to give her the chance. This was a girl who fought to win, not to pull hair or rip clothes. She swiftly moved in, pinning Crystal’s hands behind her back and shoving her face-first onto the table.

CRASH! Wine glasses and dishes shattered on the floor. With her face squashed against the tabletop, Crystal Sutton let out a series of shrill screams.

"Damn it! Third Brother, are you just going to watch?" Finn Quinn, snapping out of his stupor, turned to Jenson Forrest.

Jenson Forrest’s expression was icy. He stood perfectly still, his deep-set eyes silently observing the scene unfold. Miles Chase also glanced at him. The one causing trouble was Jenson’s woman, yet the one being assaulted was a person he was known to protect. If Jenson Forrest didn’t make a move, they naturally wouldn’t intervene either.

However, Jenson Forrest simply swirled the red wine in his glass and took a sip, looking completely unconcerned.

"Tsk. Third Brother, you’re really just going to watch?" Finn Quinn grumbled.

Miles Chase also tilted his head back and took a sip of his own wine.

Jenson Forrest swirled his glass. "It’s a fight between women. What’s a man to do?"

Miles let out a dry chuckle. He’d be a fool to believe that. A man doesn’t interfere in a women’s fight... as long as his own woman isn’t on the losing end. If the person he actually cared about was the one getting hurt, no man would be able to sit still.

Miles saw it as clear as day, but Finn Quinn was growing furious.

"Third Brother, this is my club! Zinnia is trashing my party. If you’re not going to do anything, don’t blame me for getting rough." Finn Quinn frowned and started to move forward, but Miles pulled him back.

"Zinnia isn’t the impulsive or arrogant type. Crystal Sutton must have done something to provoke her," Miles said. "Besides, it’s a small scene. Even Third Brother isn’t worried, so why are you in such a rush? Don’t tell me you have a crush on Crystal."

Finn Quinn shook him off. "Screw you!"

"Really? I can send you my uncle’s business card if you’d like."

"Get lost!"

While they were bickering, Jenson Forrest—the very man who had just claimed he wouldn’t interfere—suddenly set down his wine glass. His expression darkened as he strode purposefully toward the table.

Miles raised an eyebrow and followed his gaze. He saw that sweet-faced little spitfire Zinnia had brought with her kick Sienna Forrest aside when she tried to intervene. The girl had a small, round face and the looks of a sweet girl, but her actions were simple and brutal. With one hand, she had Crystal Sutton’s arms twisted behind her back, her elbow pressing down firmly on Crystal’s spine. With her other hand, she grabbed a fistful of Crystal’s hair and yanked her head back, forcing her neck to arch.

Meanwhile, Zinnia took a bottle of water and began pouring it into Crystal Sutton’s mouth.

"Mmmph... let me go! I won’t drink... cough... Mmmph! Jenson!" Crystal Sutton struggled and shrieked.