CHAPTER 46: CHAPTER 46: SO MUCH BLOOD, ZINNIA LAWRENCE KILLED SOMEONE

Zinnia recognized the voice. A wave of terror washed over her, but she forced her body to go limp, leaning back against the man behind her.

Her willing surrender stunned Kane Donovan for a moment before a rush of blood heated his veins, making him want to take her right there in the hallway.

Zinnia turned her head, signaling for him to let her go.

He complied, releasing the hand over her mouth. Zinnia gasped for air, steadying herself against the stair railing to quell the dizziness before she spoke.

"Since you already know what kind of person I am, Young Master Donovan, I hope you’ve brought more to the table this time?"

Her voice was a seductive hook that made half of Kane’s body go numb, and the force of his grip on her hair slackened.

Zinnia twisted at the waist to face him and gave him a light push. A few strands of her hair inadvertently brushed against his neck.

"Don’t be so rough. I don’t like it."

Her small hand pushed lightly against his chest, and the other half of his body went weak.

He grabbed her wrist and pinned her against the wall, burying his face in her neck to kiss her. The scent of an unfamiliar man’s cologne was so sickening it made Zinnia want to gag. Her face turned pale as she twisted to dodge him.

"No, not here. Let’s go to my place..."

"It’s more exciting here. You smell so good, feel so soft... I can’t wait."

Kane pressed closer, rubbing against her like an animal in heat. Zinnia bit her tongue, forcing herself not to struggle.

"I have toys at my place. It’s even more exciting..."

Filled with excited anticipation, Kane released her. Zinnia bent to pick up her phone from the floor, but he swiftly kicked it out of her reach.

The phone tumbled down the stairs, landing with a loud, splintering crash.

A chill ran down Zinnia’s spine; she hadn’t expected him to be so cautious. She turned back, pouting coquettishly.

"You have to pay me back for that!"

"Pay you back? If you pay *me* back properly tonight, I’ll give you more than a phone. I’ll buy you a house, a car, anything you want!"

"I don’t believe you. If you dare try to fool me with just a bouquet of flowers again, don’t ever show your face to me again," Zinnia chuckled, her eyes turning sultry.

Kane recalled the embarrassing moment she had coldly told him to get lost with his bouquet. This woman really is a master of seduction. I’ve seen plenty of gold diggers like her.

His guard lowered, he smoothed his shirt, adopting the air of a magnanimous sponsor.

"Don’t worry. As long as you’re a good girl, even marrying you isn’t out of the question."

Zinnia led him upstairs and used her key to unlock the door.

Kane stayed right behind her, a hand on her shoulder to prevent any tricks. Once we’re inside, she’ll have no chance to call for help. She’ll be mine for the taking.

Zinnia opened the door, stepped inside, then turned and grabbed his tie.

Her enthusiasm completely disarmed Kane.

He eagerly slammed the door shut and pulled her into his arms, tearing at her clothes and biting at her neck.

Zinnia staggered backward, dodging his advances as her hand fumbled for something in the dark.

"Turn on the lights. I like it with the lights on."

Kane laughed. "So wild. I like it..."

BAM!

A heavy, sickening thud echoed through the darkness.

「Sutton Family Mansion」

Jenson Forrest walked out of the bathroom with a grim expression, a large wet patch on his suit pants.

Half an hour earlier, he had received a message that Crystal Sutton was at the hospital inquiring about an abortion. He had rushed over to stop her and bring her home.

A maid brought Crystal a glass of warm milk, but she swiped it away in a fit of temper. It splashed all over Jenson, forcing him to go and clean up.

"Young Master Forrest, Crystal has been helped back to her room. She’s still crying. Maybe you should go talk to her again."

The maid approached. Jenson frowned slightly before following her upstairs.

As he entered the bedroom, the maid moved to close the door, but Jenson shot her a look.

"Leave it open."

The maid glanced nervously at Crystal, then left the door ajar as she departed.

Crystal sat on the bed, her eyes red, though she seemed to have calmed down.

"Jenson, I’m sorry. I was just too emotional earlier... These are my dad’s dress pants. He’s never worn them. You should go change in the bathroom."

She picked up the pants beside her and walked toward Jenson, who responded coldly.

"That’s not necessary."

Crystal froze. "But it’s getting cold. You can’t stay in wet pants. Jenson, you should... Ah!"

She insisted on moving forward, reaching for the waistband of his wet pants, but he suddenly seized her wrist.

His grip was strong, and Crystal cried out in pain, looking up with tear-filled eyes.

"I was just worried about you, that’s all. I’m a pregnant woman; what other intentions could I possibly have? It hurts..."

Jenson finally released her, his voice taking on a frosty edge.

"You should be very clear about this: all of my promises to you are because of the child in your womb. If you try to get an abortion again, I will retract every promise I’ve made. Understand?"

Crystal bit her lip. "Jenson, four years ago, you practically agreed to be with me. If my sister hadn’t interfered, I..."

"She was not an interloper, and we were never together. You know that perfectly well."

Crystal’s face paled. She faltered, seeing the look of extreme impatience hardening his handsome features, and returned to the edge of the bed.

"I know. This child was an accident, not what I wanted, but it’s growing inside me. I’m its mother. How could I be cruel enough to give it up unless I was forced to?

"But being a single mother is too hard. You promised to treat this child as your own. But since she returned to the country, my sister has bullied me time and time again, and you just turn a blind eye. How can I trust you to take care of us?"

She stroked her stomach, tears splashing onto her skirt.

Thinking of the child, Jenson’s expression softened slightly.

"As long as you stop provoking Zinnia, you won’t get hurt."

His words almost choked her. Crystal looked up, aggrieved, and opened her mouth to argue, but Jenson spoke again.

"I will not neglect the child after it’s born. The resources I promised you and the capital injection for the Sutton family will be delivered. You should be well aware of your family’s current predicament. Don’t make a choice you’ll regret."

Having said his piece, he turned and walked out.

Downstairs, he picked up his phone from the living room coffee table and left. He had set it down when his pants got wet, never imagining what a crucial call he had missed in that short time.

「Police Station」

A silver sports car screeched to a halt at the entrance.

The scissor doors swung open, and a tall, lean man emerged from the driver’s seat. His face was like ice as he strode on long legs into the station.

"Zinnia!"

When Winston Forrest saw Zinnia, she was curled up on a chair. An older female officer sat beside her, trying to soothe her.

Zinnia’s head was buried in her arms, her long hair obscuring her face, and she was trembling uncontrollably.

She seemed to be lost in her own world, completely unresponsive to the officer’s comforting words.

Her hands were clasped over her head; those beautiful, delicate hands were stained with mottled, dark-red blood.

Winston’s steps faltered. A storm of pity and fierce anger churned in his eyes. He called out her name again as he strode over.

"I’m her brother," he told the female officer.

The officer nodded and stepped aside.

Winston squatted in front of Zinnia, cautiously reaching for her bloodstained hands.

"Ah! Don’t touch me! Let go! Get away!" Zinnia shrieked, flailing wildly.

Winston held her hands firm. "Zinnia, it’s me, Winston! Your big brother is here. Look up. Please, look at me."

He squeezed her hands, his large palms enveloping hers, transferring his warmth to her.

Slowly, Zinnia raised her head. Her eyes gradually focused on Winston’s face, on the deep concern within them.

The tears she had been desperately holding back finally broke free, streaming down her face as her lips trembled.

"Brother, I... I think I killed someone! He’s... he’s dead. He isn’t moving or breathing... I killed someone..."

Zinnia had struck Kane with a dumbbell Yara Fairchild kept by the door on a shoe cabinet for arm exercises. She knew she had to land one decisive blow, so she didn’t hold back, smashing it down on top of his head with all her might. Kane had collapsed to the floor, instantly motionless. Panicked, Zinnia had tried to run, only to trip and land her hands in a sticky pool of blood. It was warm and thick, and the metallic scent was overwhelming... She had shakily checked for breath under his nose but felt nothing.

After that, she had stumbled downstairs to get someone to call the police. At the station, officers took a brief statement before asking her to contact family. She gave them Winston Forrest’s number.

Now, only a single thought consumed her mind: she had killed someone.