Chapter 501
501
501
A message arrived on Zinnia’s phone from Shadow Moon Pavilion. No words, just a single photo: her family, tied up and held captive .
No explanation was needed. That one image said it all–her family had fallen into Shadow Moon Pavilion’s hands. Zorro was losing patience. He wanted results, and fast.
Zinnia quickly tucked her phone away, her gaze drifting dazedly toward the stage where Caitlin was still dancing gracefully. What was she supposed to
do?
Ever since she started following Caitlin, she’d met new friends–genuine, kind people who welcomed her like family. They made her feel warmth , care, and belonging. The last thing she wanted now was to betray any of them.
On the dance floor, Caitlin and Sebastian had just finished their first waltz. The enchanted elf kingdom transformed into a dreamy ocean of light and music, and the floor opened up for others to join in.
Molly was the first to jump up, yanking Simon by his tie. “Come on, Simon, dance with me!”
Simon couldn’t say no to her. He’d go along with anything she wanted, even if dancing wasn’t his thing. Especially dancing.
“Let’s go dance too!” Madison said, turning to her husband.
“I don’t really know how.”
“No worries, I’ll teach you.”
Madison pulled Felix onto the floor. Benjamin caught Wendy’s eye. She tried to avoid his gaze, but there was no escape.
“Pudding, come dance with me.”
“I’m not dancing.”
“You are now.”
He grabbed her hand and pulled her into the crowd. Their dancing was awkward but full of personality.
Couple after couple filled the dance floor. Even Raymond and Eliza joined in, swaying gently to the waltz as though they’d been transported back decades to their youth.
Jillian hadn’t planned on dancing. She was just tagging along with her brother and keeping a low profile behind a mask, hoping Sebastian wouldn’t
notice her.
She definitely didn’t expect anyone to approach her.
But then Hayden stepped forward and offered his hand. “May I have this dance?”
He was drawn to her the moment he noticed her mysterious mask. Something about her stood out.
“I… I’m not very good,” she stammered.
“That’s okay. I’m learning too.”
He took her hand and led her gently into the crowd.
Quincy grabbed Faith’s hand and joined the dance as well. He wasn’t much better at it, constantly stepping on her toes, but it was one of the few chances he had to be close to her.
Meanwhile, Xavi noticed how everyone around him had paired off. He stole a glance at Zinnia standing nearby, heart pounding harder than before his
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college entrance exam.
Should he ask her?
Would she say yes?
Or would she reject him and leave him to die of embarrassment?
He spent a good minute psyching himself up.
he was about to speak, Zinnia suddenly stood and quietly walked out of the ballroom .
She looked off.
Worried, Xavi followed her.
Outside the hotel, Zinnia found a secluded emergency stairwell and made a long–distance call.
Xavi followed her silently and stopped at the door, peering through a narrow opening.
Her voice wasn’t loud, but if he listened closely, he could catch parts of it.
“…I’ve been doing everything I can to earn Caitlin’s trust… As soon as I find the codex, I’ll contact you… Yes… I think it’ll be soon…”
The call ended. Zinnia slipped her phone into her pocket and turned to leave.
But the moment she opened the door, she froze.
Xavi was standing right there.
“Xavi?”
His expression was stunned. “So… you were faking it this whole time?”
Zinnia panicked. “No! I mean… I’m not… I just…”
“Save it. Do you realize how much the missus trusted you? And all this time, you were after the codex too? I’m telling Mr. Vanderbilt and Caitlin right
now!”
“No!”
Zinnia rushed forward and hugged him tightly. “Please, Xavi, let me explain!”
Tears filled her eyes. That raw emotion made Xavi hesitate. He gave her a chance to speak.
Leaning against the cold wall, Zinnia wiped her tears and shared everything–about her family, the threats, her unwilling involvement.
When she finished, Xavi was furious.
“They’re using your family to blackmail you? That’s insane! You have to tell Caitlin. She’ll help you.”
“I… I can’t.”
“If you’re scared, I’ll go with you. I’ll speak up for you.”
“No.” Zinnia grabbed his arm and pulled him close again, burying her face against his chest,
“This is my problem. I’ll handle it myself. I don’t want to drag you into this.”
For once, she wasn’t the icy assassin. She was a fragile, helpless woman with no one else to turn to .
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“Zinnia…” Xavi’s voice softened. He’d dreamt about this moment for so long. Holding her felt surreal.
He took a chance. He leaned down and kissed her.
To his surprise, she didn’t pull away.
Encouraged, his kiss deepened.
Back in Florence Hall, the birthday party was still going strong.
Zora noticed Thomas stepping away to answer a call. Her eyes flicked to the half–full glass he left behind.
An idea took shape. Bold and dangerous.
Everyone else was distracted, gathered around Reese for the birthday song. Zora seized the moment.
She took a small vial from her purse and added a few drops into Thomas’s drink.
Glancing around–no one seemed to notice.
She casually returned to her seat, scrolling her phone as if nothing had happened.
A few minutes later, Thomas returned and sat down.
Zora looked up, smiled sweetly, and raised her glass .
“Mr. Quick , I really enjoyed our conversation earlier. Thank you for all the insight. I’d like to toast to that.”
Thomas raised an eyebrow, then his glass. “Thank you, Miss Harris. I wouldn’t want to refuse a drink from a beautiful woman.”
As he brought the glass to his lips, Zora’s heart raced with anticipation.
He was just about to drink when one of his men entered the hall and whispered something in his ear.
Thomas paused, then slowly lowered the glass, his expression darkening.
Zora froze.
Her heart pounded in her throat.
Did they see what she did?