Chapter 376
Zina closed on a 28–million–dollar property purchase. After finalizing the purchase, Zina instructed the manager to connect her with a top–tier interior design team.
“Have them promptly procure everything on the list my assistant sent,” she added.
After wrapping up the house purchase, Zina realized it was almost noon and decided to grab some lunch.
She’d just seen a rave review for a restaurant earlier today, and it happened to be right nearby. Without hesitation, she set off to try it out.
Zina had just gotten into the car when her phone rang. It was Osborn calling.
“Zina, I heard from your assistant that you only bought one house. Why just one? Did something happen?” Osborn asked, his tone gentle but full of
concern.
“Daddy, that’s plenty,” Zina said as she drove.
“Why just buy one? We could buy up the whole neighborhood. Zina, you’re so particular about your sleeping environment. Did you forget to bring your unlimited credit card home?” he added.
Upon hearing that Zina had only bought a small house, Osborn’s heart ached for her.
“Daddy, I’m only staying temporarily. There’s no need to buy so many properties,” Zina sighed in resignation.
‘I’m just staying for a month–what would I do with an entire neighborhood?‘ she wondered.
“Zina, we can buy the whole place even if it’s just for a month. Let me have your assistant handle it for you, okay? We can’t let you compromise on comfort,” Osborn said.
Osborn couldn’t care less about money. His only concern was that Zina could sleep well. Buying up the entire neighborhood was the best way to ensure his daughter’s sleep quality. After all, money was never an issue for their family.
Osborn couldn’t help but worry. “Zina, if you don’t like the existing houses over there, I will have someone build you a brand–new little castle, just the way you like it.”
It was the first time in four years that Zina had been so far away from them.
Osborn was a nervous wreck. To make matters worse, she hadn’t even brought her assistant.
“Daddy, I don’t want a castle. The houses here in Laystoland are great, so please don’t worry about me,” Zina said, trying to reassure him,
She rubbed her temples, feeling a headache coming on. ‘Why is Dad so stubborn about building me a castle? He keeps insisting every princess needs her castle,‘ she thought helplessly.
He had already built seven castles for her overseas, and according to Shirin, he was secretly arranging for an eighth. Just thinking about it made Zina sigh in exasperation and resignation.
But with her father’s sincere paternal love, she couldn’t bring herself to stop him.
Maybe it was because Osborn had only found her after eighteen years that he was moving heaven and earth to make it up to her.
‘Well, if she doesn’t want a castle,‘ Osborn thought with a heavy sigh of disappointment. He had even wanted to build her one back home.
Someone must have tipped Zina off about his plan to send people ahead to build her a castle, and as soon as she found out, she stopped him right away. Osborn was utterly crestfallen.
“Zina, do you want me to find your favorite interior design team to renovate your place? We can’t compromise on your living standards,” he said.
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“Daddy, I know. You really don’t have to worry about me. I’m not a child anymore. You and Shirin should take care of yourselves, too, okay* Zina reminded him gently.
At twenty–two, her dad still treated her like his little girl.
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After hanging up with Osborn, Zina arrived at the restaurant. The modest eatery was small but spotlessly clean. There were no customers inside yet.
She’d heard the place didn’t open until 11, and at eleven–ten, she was likely the first patron of the day. After parking her car, Zina stepped inside.
“Sorry, we’re fully booked today. No tables available.” Behind the counter, a person stood with their head down, jotting something in a notebook
“Fully booked? No tables left?” Zina asked. The mouthwatering aroma from the kitchen hit her. It smelled incredible. She hadn’t expected the place to be fully reserved.
Turned out the restaurant wasn’t empty at all. Every seat had already been booked.
Hearing that familiar voice, Bonnie’s pen froze mid–stroke. She looked up, her gaze landing on the girl who had just walked in. When she recognized that face, her pupils dilated in shock.
“Zinnia, you’re alive.” Bonnie’s voice trembled. She hurried around the counter and rushed toward Zinnia. Her eyes were wide with disbelief, and tears sprang to her eyes.
Zina hadn’t even processed why the shop owner seemed to know her before she was engulfed in a tight embrace.
“Zinnia, you’re alive. You really are alive,” Bonnie choked out, tears brimming in her eyes as she gazed at Zinnia.
She was no longer the innocent girl from Bonnie’s memories. Now she was radiantly beautiful, but the features were unmistakably the same.
Zina found herself locked in the woman’s tight embrace, confusion flashing in her eyes. “Do you know me?” she asked.
‘Does she really know me? Could she be someone I knew from Jinston?‘ Zina lowered her head, studying the woman’s face, racking her brain for any recollection. There was nothing. Her mind was blank. She couldn’t remember a thing.
“What’s wrong, Bonnie?” Before Bonnie could respond, a man wielding a spatula burst out from the kitchen, his eyes filled with alarm.
But when he saw Zina, the spatula slipped from his hand, clattering to the floor. Ian gasped in shock, “Zinnia, you’re back.”
“Quick, lan, tell Lydia now,” Bonnie called out urgently, still clinging tightly to Zina as she spotted lan.
‘Lydia has been searching for Zinnia all these years; she’ll be over the moon to know Zinnia is back,‘ Bonnie wondered.
“Excuse me, could you let go of me first?” said Zina as she wondered, ‘I haven’t even figured out what’s going on yet, and now it seems things are already moving on to the next step.‘
“Zinnia, are you saying you’ve lost your memory? You don’t remember any of us?” Bonnie asked, her voice trembling with disbelief.
Bonnie had prepared a feast for Zina, setting out a whole table of delicious food. There was the food Zina hau en craving.
Zina picked up a roll, soaked it in the rich broth, and took a big bite. ‘Wow, this is amazing,‘ she thought, savoring the smell, piping hot flavors. It was absolutely mouthwatering.
The small table was practically overflowing with treats, freshly baked cookies, egg tarts, cheesy corn, cheese curd, BBQ ribs, and even a cup of orange juice.
Zina finished her last bite of the roll before responding, “Yeah, I don’t remember anything from before.” Everything from four years ago was completely
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gone from her memory.
“Zina, try some of this jerky. Lydia made it herself. It used to be your absolute favorite,” Bonnie said as she walked over from the counter, holding a plate of homemade jerky.
The jerky had been made by her daughter, Lydia, for the family. Zinnia used to love it. Bonnie couldn’t help but hope that tasting it might bring back some memories for Zinnia.
Zina looked at the jerky Bonnie handed her. It was thinly sliced, shiny with a honey glaze, and there were no sesame seeds.
‘It looks delicious,‘ she thought. ‘Exactly the kind of thing I would like.’
“Zinnia, try this first. No need to rush. Take your time. I’ve asked lan to hand–pull some pasta for you. Pasta soaked in this broth are just delicious” Bonnie sat down across from her, eyes brimming with affection, and gently offered her the plate.
“Thank you, Mrs. Hollis,” Zina said. She picked up a piece of jerky and popped it into her mouth.
This jerky had that perfect crispy texture she loved, with just the right touch of honey. It was sweet, delicious, thin, and crispy, absolutely right up her
alley.
“Zinnia, you’re really back?” a voice suddenly sounded.
AD
