CHAPTER 48: CHAPTER 48: CRYSTAL’S CHILD REALLY ISN’T HIS

Zinnia was about to say goodbye to Winston when a sudden chill ran down her spine.

She turned her head in astonishment, only to find that Jenson had returned.

He ripped the jacket Winston had wrapped around her shoulders and tossed it back at him.

Before Zinnia could react, she felt her body lighten as Jenson swept her into his arms again.

The man exuded an arctic aura. His jaw was tense as he stared coldly at Winston.

"Still here? Do you need me to invite you in for tea?"

The disdain in his words was unmistakable, leaving Winston speechless.

"Speaking of which, I’ve been away for a few years and haven’t visited since you and Zinnia got married. It wouldn’t be too much to ask for an invitation for tea, would it, Third Brother?"

Winston took a step forward, but Jenson stood motionless, an impassive and insurmountable iceberg.

Winston halted, sighing in resignation. "Fine, fine, I’m leaving. Zinnia has a cut on her head. Remember to take care of it for her later, Third Brother."

He added the reminder out of concern, but Jenson’s voice was frigid.

"In what capacity are you concerned about her?"

"As her brother, of course," Winston replied, baffled by the question.

Jenson’s gaze grew even colder. "She is your Third Sister-in-law, and you are her cousin. I don’t want to say it a third time."

Winston was speechless. Jenson added, "I will take care of my own wife. There’s no need for anyone else to trouble themselves."

With that, Jenson turned and carried Zinnia toward the villa.

Winston was left standing there. It took him a moment before he raised an amused eyebrow. "You can’t be serious. He’s jealous of *that*?"

He chuckled, then got into his car and told the lawyer, "Let’s go to the hospital."

He had to check if that man named Duan survived resuscitation. It would be better if he did. Otherwise, Zinnia might not be able to get over the trauma of having killed someone, and it would cast a shadow over her entire life. Besides, dying so easily would be letting the son of a bitch off too lightly.

Jenson’s strides were long and swift.

Afraid she might fall, Zinnia instinctively raised her hands and wrapped them around his neck, her brow furrowed.

"Fifth Brother was helping me tonight. No matter how displeased you are with me, you shouldn’t have given him such a cold shoulder and kicked him out!"

Jenson glanced down with a cold sneer. "If he’s so wonderful, why were you so desperate to climb into my bed back then? It would’ve been better if you had just climbed into his and married him. Grandma and our Third Aunt would have been delighted."

It felt as if Zinnia’s heart was being torn open, letting a frigid wind blow through.

Winston’s father, Third Master Forrest, was the Old Madam’s youngest son, and he had passed away in his prime. The Third Lady was a reclusive woman with a peaceful, non-competitive nature who had always been fond of Zinnia.

Zinnia and Winston were close in age, and Old Madam Forrest had indeed wanted to set them up. Unfortunately, neither of them was interested in the other, and then that incident happened.

Zinnia clenched her fists. "You’re right. I should have married Fifth Brother. Maybe I could’ve even become a champion’s wife someday—"

Before she could finish, Jenson abruptly lowered his head and sealed her lips in a fierce, urgent kiss.

He devoured her lips with a heavy, savage force, instantly stealing all her thoughts and pulling her into his very presence.

Zinnia’s head spun. Gasping for air, she pushed against Jenson’s chest, trying to break free.

But her refusal and resistance only fanned the flames of his anger and jealousy.

He had already carried her into the foyer and set her down on the shoe cabinet, kissing her deeper, leaving no room for resistance.

The cabinet was narrow, forcing Zinnia to wrap her legs around his lean waist.

After everything that had happened to her tonight, she was in no mood for intimacy. His forcefulness only dredged up terrible memories.

Tears welled in her eyes and cold sweat beaded on her forehead. She bit down hard on his lip.

"Mmph... no!"

The taste of blood filled their mouths. At the same time, Jenson detected the unfamiliar scent of men’s cologne on her.

He assumed it belonged to Winston, and his half-closed eyes turned cold and cruel.

"No? After all the effort you spent luring me back then, are you trying to play hard-to-get now?"

The man looked up with a frigid sneer. He seemed to lose all control as his breathing grew heavier while he pressed down on her.

His large hand slipped invasively under the hem of her shirt, cupping her soft breast and kneading it wantonly.

His burning palm sent a shiver through Zinnia, and a broken whimper escaped her throat.

The air itself felt combustible.

CLICK!

The massive crystal chandelier in the living room suddenly switched on, its glaring light shattering the intimate atmosphere.

Before Zinnia could react, a sharp, sarcastic voice came from the living room sofa.

"No wonder you weren’t answering your phones. You really *are* busy! But no matter how desperate you are, you should be mindful of the place! Truly shameless!"

It was Katherine’s voice.

Caught in such a compromising position by her mother-in-law, Zinnia was mortified. She pushed Jenson away, trying to straighten her disheveled clothes and scramble down.

Jenson merely furrowed his brow, his expression returning to normal as he spoke.

"This is our home. You’re the one who should be mindful of the occasion, Mother. And since you knew we were busy, you shouldn’t have come uninvited."

He simply lifted Zinnia back into his arms and strode toward the stairs.

Katherine’s face went white with fury. "What kind of talk is that! Besides, doesn’t she have her own legs? You’ve been carrying her since she was a child!"

Jenson had often carried Zinnia when they were growing up, but that had been the pure affection of an older brother for his younger sister.

Katherine’s words, however, were clearly loaded with insinuation.

Since marrying Jenson, Zinnia had heard far worse insults, but no one ever dared say such things to his face.

Jenson’s expression darkened. Before he could speak, Zinnia snuggled into his embrace and flashed a sickly sweet smile.

She turned to Katherine. "I heard Third Brother held me when I was just three days old. Not everyone is so blessed with the fate to be carried by their husband from childhood to adulthood. Isn’t that right, Mom?"

Katherine had come to tear them apart, not to ship their relationship.

First, she was angered by her son, and now her daughter-in-law had dealt another blow. Her expression soured even further.

Zinnia felt ill and emotionally drained. All she wanted was to go to her room, take a shower, and change.

"Put me down. You two can talk. I’ll go upstairs first."

Zinnia struggled, but Jenson didn’t let go. He addressed Katherine again.

"She’s injured. We are in no condition to host you today. I’ll have someone take you home."

He started to carry Zinnia up the stairs, but Katherine refused to be dismissed.

She had called Jenson earlier, but he had hung up on her after just a few words.

She tried several more times, but he never picked up. When she called Zinnia, her phone was unreachable.

That was why she had come to wait in person. And after waiting so late for them to return, they were now trying to kick her out?

Katherine slammed her hand on the coffee table. "Neither of you is going anywhere! I have questions that must be answered clearly today!"

Jenson acted as if he hadn’t heard her and continued up the stairs with Zinnia. Katherine shot up from the sofa and raised her voice.

"I went to the hospital to get medicine for Julia today and happened to see Crystal at the OB-GYN department with her assistant. I thought it was strange, so I followed them and asked the doctor. That’s how I found out Crystal is over a month pregnant! How long were you two planning to hide this from me?"

Zinnia froze. So that’s why Katherine had come here and waited. She’d found out Crystal was pregnant.

Normally, when parents find out their son had an affair and fathered an illegitimate child, they would at least scold him and apologize to their daughter-in-law, right? But clearly, Katherine was not that kind of person. She thought it was a matter of course, all because she believed Zinnia didn’t deserve any respect to begin with.

A cold sneer formed on Zinnia’s lips. "I know why you’re here. I’m ready to grant the divorce—"

Zinnia was cut off by Jenson. He frowned at Katherine and asked in a grave tone, "Who exactly told you the child she’s carrying is mine?"

Zinnia was taken aback. What did he mean? Could it be that Crystal’s child really wasn’t his?