CHAPTER 82: CHAPTER 82: BABY, I’M SORRY—MOMMY DIDN’T PROTECT YOU

Jenson had indeed seen Zinnia, and something was clearly wrong with her. She was wearing a thin dance outfit and was barefoot. Clutching only her phone, she had run out in a panic, her face deathly pale. She was crouched there hugging her knees, looking like a lost and lonely wild goose.

Recalling what Anna had said about her leaving without reason, and seeing her disheveled state now, it wasn’t hard to guess what had happened.

So she wasn’t actually here for the translation job?

"President, should I go over and ask Mrs. Forrest what happened?" When Jenson didn’t move, Timothy spoke cautiously.

Jenson gripped the door handle, his brow furrowed in thought. He said nothing.

Just as Timothy thought Jenson was about to lose control and get out of the car, a black Maybach pulled up in front of Zinnia.

A tall man got out of the driver’s seat and hurried toward Zinnia.

"Zinnia? Why are you squatting here alone?"

Zinnia looked up and saw Alaric Hawthorne.

"Alaric?"

Alaric didn’t ask too many questions. He simply took off his trench coat, draped it over Zinnia, and helped her to her feet.

Wrapped in the coat, a glimmer of hope returned to Zinnia.

"I messed up my interview with Lise. Can you take me to the airport, Alaric?"

Alaric nodded immediately. "Get in the car."

The two got into the car, which then turned around and sped off.

"Drive," Jenson ordered, coolly retracting his gaze.

Timothy was anxious. "Should I chase them down, force the car to stop, and bring Mrs. Forrest back?"

Jenson chuckled and glanced at the eager Timothy. "You think that would be exciting?"

Timothy was speechless.

Looking at Jenson’s indifferent expression, as if nothing concerned him, a saying came to Timothy’s mind. The subordinate is more anxious than the emperor himself.

"Drive!" Jenson ordered again, his tone unchanged.

Timothy drove the car away, but an uneasy feeling lingered. The president’s recent reactions to Mrs. Forrest’s affairs had been far too calm. But the calmer he appeared, the more oppressive the atmosphere felt. It was like a storm brewing in the deep sea—the more it was suppressed, the more turbulent the eventual eruption would be. Timothy had a bad feeling that something major was about to happen.

「Meanwhile, in the other car.」

"Don’t worry just yet," Alaric comforted Zinnia. "Lise and her group might still be at the airport. You may still have time to catch them."

He was the one who had secured this opportunity for Zinnia, so he was fully aware of how much it meant to her.

"What exactly happened?"

"Someone must have snuck into my room and put something in my thermos. I drank the water and passed out completely. By the time I woke up, I had missed everything!"

Zinnia was sure it wasn’t a case of her being overtired and falling asleep unknowingly. Her head still felt a little groggy even now.

"Do you know who it was?" A cold glint flashed in Alaric’s eyes.

Zinnia’s expression turned cold. "I only ever drink water I bring myself before going on stage. Whoever drugged my thermos clearly knew about this habit. I think I know who it is. I was too careless."

She should have been on her guard when she saw Crystal Sutton. Zinnia just never imagined Crystal would be audacious enough to have someone sneak into her room and tamper with her things.

Alaric looked worried. "Are you feeling unwell anywhere else? This opportunity is rare, but it’s okay if you miss it. There will be other chances. Let’s go to the hospital first!"

He started to change lanes, but Zinnia quickly shook her head. "I feel fine otherwise. Go to the airport! Maybe I can still see Lise. Even if she cancels my interview, I have to explain what happened."

Going to the hospital now wouldn’t help.

Seeing her so insistent, Alaric sighed and accelerated.

Zinnia opened the car’s mini-fridge, grabbed a bottle of water, and started gulping it down. She stared out the window as tears streamed uncontrollably down her face. Her body trembled slightly, her heart filled with worry.

She had to drink as much water as possible to metabolize the drug; she was terrified it would affect the baby.

I’m so sorry, my baby. Mommy didn’t protect you.

"Don’t drink anymore, the water’s too cold!"

Noticing her strange behavior—finishing one bottle and immediately reaching for another—Alaric leaned over and took the water from her.

Zinnia had been drinking too fast and started to choke.

"COUGH, COUGH... My body feels weak. The drug probably hasn’t worn off completely yet, so I need to flush it out quickly. If I actually manage to catch Lise, I need to be prepared, right? Even if the chance of an interview is slim."

She didn’t want to tell Alaric about her pregnancy, so this was the only excuse she could offer.

Alaric felt helpless against her resolve. He pulled the car over, got out, and moved a case of room-temperature water from the trunk, placing it at Zinnia’s feet.

However, when Zinnia reached the airport, Lise’s flight had already taken off.

"Let’s go," Alaric comforted her. "You can email Anna and explain everything. Maybe there’s still a chance..."

Just as they turned to leave, Zinnia looked up and was surprised to see Lise, Anna, and their group emerging from a VIP lounge.

Zinnia was overjoyed. "Lise! You’re still here! That’s wonderful!"

She ran toward them but was blocked by bodyguards a few steps away.

Lise’s expression was cold and she was clearly annoyed. She showed no intention of stopping to listen to Zinnia’s explanation.

Zinnia took two steps back and bowed deeply in a solemn apology, her voice clear and loud.

"Lise, I am so sorry. I truly love to dance, and I sincerely wish to have the honor of learning from you. I apologize for wasting your time and for causing you to have an unpleasant experience in Veridia. I..."

Her attitude was sincere; she wasn’t just making excuses to shirk responsibility.

This earned her a surprised glance from Lise, who changed direction and walked over to her.

"Aren’t you going to explain?"

"Ah?"

"I’ll give you just one minute," Lise said, raising an eyebrow.

Zinnia’s heart hammered in her chest as she hurriedly recounted the entire incident.

Lise looked at her—barefoot, pale, and clearly distressed—and did not doubt her words.

"I can give you five minutes. Are you ready?"

Zinnia froze again. It wasn’t until Anna gave her a light push that she, overwhelmed with relief, nodded repeatedly.

"I’m ready, I can do this!"

Lise nodded, signaled her entourage to wait outside, and then returned to the VIP lounge.

Alaric quickly stepped forward and took the trench coat from her. His eyes were smiling.

"Good luck."

Zinnia took a deep breath, turned, and followed her inside.

Alaric waited anxiously outside. Lise had said she would only give Zinnia five minutes, but nearly twenty minutes passed, and neither of them had come out. He figured that had to be a good sign.

Just as Alaric was checking his watch for the umpteenth time, the door opened, and Zinnia walked out.

Her forehead was beaded with fine sweat and the hair at her temples was damp, but her eyes shone as bright as Stellar.

Meeting Alaric’s gaze, Zinnia’s lips curved into a faint smile.

"Alaric, thank you. I did it."

Alaric broke into a smile as well. "I knew you would. Congratulations, Zinnia. May you one day shine like a star on the world stage."

After they left, Anna went inside.

"Lise, you accepted her? Was it because of Mr. Forrest?"

Lise put on her outer coat. "No. She is a dancer who is destined to be seen by the world. She earned it. Her dancing convinced me."

Anna raised her eyebrows.

"It seems you really admire her. Congratulations. But we should be boarding now. The private jet Mr. Forrest arranged is waiting."

Lise nodded and walked out with Anna.

Anna added with a smile, "That Mr. Forrest is strange, isn’t he? He spent a fortune to help Zinnia but doesn’t want us to mention him to her."

Lise shrugged and shook her head with a smile. "Zinnia also asked me to keep something from him. The emotions of people from the East are always hard to understand."